October 21, 2005

Voci Nobili - Contrasts (Kontraster)

Kontraster – contrasts, the term speaks for itself. This third CD by Voci Nobili is a collection of contrasting pieces from the 20th century. Church music is still a living tradition, and during the last century a vast repertoire of great choral composition has arisen within this genre. This recording introduces a selection of songs with texts connected to the Virgin Mary, the compositions almost spanning the entire century, from Gustav Holst to Knut Nystedt. Halfway through, the style gradually shifts to jazz by way of John Rutter’s choral suite Birthday Mardigals, which contains elements from both styles, and Ward Swingle’s unique blend of baroque and jazz in the ingenious Reeds of Innocence. Voci Nobili celebrates the centennial anniversary of the birth of George Gerswin by letting his music introduce the record’s jazz section, which also contains standard-jazz pieces like Lullaby of Broadway and Makin’ Whoopie. The recording ends with a collection of modern folk songs by singer/songwriter Alf Prøysen, who has a constant place in the heart of every Norwegian. 7858 CD 15.98
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Posted by acapnews at October 21, 2005 3:10 AM