Nidaros Domkor – Trondheim Soloists String Quartet/ Torbjorn Dyrud, organ/ Nidaros Cathedral Choir/ Vivianne Sydnes – 2L multichannel SACD 72, 61:10 [Distr. by Naxos] *****:
This is the first ever surround recording done at the magnificent Lutheran Nidaros Cathedral in Trondheim, Norway. The 40-member choir has commissioned many pieces since their inception in 1946, and most of those recorded here are first performances. In fact, Wolfgang Plagge is the only composer that I recognized here, but all or worthwhile, and the music is accessible while modern, and beautifully sung by this Cathedral Choir that sports an amazingly warm and vibrant sound. It is in fact one of the richest and burnished choral sounds that I have come across in a long time, proving once again that warm musical things seem to emanate from the coldest climes.
I can’t begin to describe all of this music as I would surely lack the space to do so; but I can affirm that it is about as life-affirming a collection as I have heard on a choral disc, presented with spirit and passion and spanning the range of vocal expression. The wonderful organ improvisations by Torbjorn Dyrud are perfect interludes to the choral pieces, and fit wonderfully into the whole. Recommending this album is one of the easiest things I have ever had to do. 2L’s surround sound is magnificent.
TrackList:
LUX ILLUXIT LAETABUNDA – Andrew Smith
MED JESUS VIL EG FARA – Arr. Henning Sommerro
ORGAN IMPROVISATION I
HARMSÓL VII: SOLARKONGE – Wolfgang Plagge
PRAISE BE TO THE LORD – Odd Johan Overoye
ORGAN IMPROVISATION II
REQUIEM – FOR THE VICTIMS OF NAZI PERSECUTION: KYRIE – Stale Kleiberg
REQUIEM – FOR THE VICTIMS OF NAZI PERSECUTION: AGNUS DEI – Stale Kleiberg
ORGAN IMPROVISATION III
DU, MED DET SKARPE SVERD – Torbjorn Dyrud
ORGAN IMPROVISATION IV
IOÁNNES: I. MISSUS A DEO – Henning Sommerro
IOÁNNES: II. IOÁNNES – Henning Sommerro
IOÁNNES: III. ECCE – Henning Sommerro
EG VEIT I HIMMERIK EI BORG – Arr. Kudvig Nielsen
ORGAN IMPROVISATION V
HARMSÓL XII: ENNO VIL EG NEMNA – Wolfgang Plagge
HERRE, TIL DEG TAR JEG MIN TILFLUKT – Per Fridtjov Bonsaksen
— Steven Ritter