Lund's Student Choral Society dates its origin from 1831 and is now one of Sweden's oldest choirs, directed since 1972 by the choir's artistic director, Folke Bohlin. Men's choral singing in the Nordic countries, like the romantic movement in art and literature, is a child of the early 19th century and has its roots in academic life. Thus it is no accident that these 20 songs are divided into the groups "Songs About Song," "Historical Romanticism," "Scenes from Peasant Life," "Nature and the Heart" and "Love Portraits." Particularly strong are Edvard Grieg's "Sangerhilsen" and "Min dejligste tanke," Jean Sibelius' "Venematka," Friedrich Reissiger's rousing "Olav Trygvason," Peter Heise's "Dans! ropte felen" and "I skoven," August Soderman's "Ett bondbrollop" and "O jeg vil ha'e mig en hjertenskjaer," Peter Lange-Muller's "Serenade," and Sten Broman's "Dolly." All in Swedish, extensive liner notes give info about the words, music and history. "Nordic Romance" is powerful, moving music from another culture and time. |
