How to create a Christmas program that is at once comfortably familiar and novel enough to attract and hold the interest of both new listeners and the most avid devotees of this primarily vocal, traditional music: assemble some new–but not too new–settings of well-loved carols, interspersed with some beautiful arrangements of Norwegian Christmas songs, performed by a first-rate Norwegian choir and instrumental soloists. Oh, and sing most of the pieces in Norwegian. Put aside any reservations you may have: this is among the loveliest, most satisfying Christmas recordings I’ve heard in the past couple of years (and I’m one of those above-mentioned “avid devotees”).
Most recognizable among the selections are traditional favorites such as Adeste fideles, Away in a manger, and See, amid the winter’s snow, in inventive, appealing new arrangements that also manage to incorporate aspects (such as descants) of David Willcocks’ classic settings. Another favorite, The Infant King, is ingeniously combined with “a lullaby from Bulgaria” and “different Norwegian cradle songs”, culminating in another of Willcocks’ realizations. Ding Dong, Merrily on High gets a suitably lively, exuberant dancing instrumental treatment that reminds me of the sort of thing the Baltimore Consort used to do. Charles Ives’ tender little lullaby A Christmas Carol is here, as is a fine rendition of Bach’s motet Komm, Jesu, komm, not usually a component of Christmas programs, but why not?
The several Norwegian songs are all excellent–especially affecting is one titled Den bortkomne sauen (The Lost Sheep), and two others, Å her møter mangt (O, Here is Much) and Se, solens skjønne lys og prakt (The Sun’s Fair Light), that feature some captivating (uncredited) solo singing. And in general, listening to this music sung in Norwegian is a refreshing experience, allowing you to hear the long-loved, deeply familiar and meaningful songs in a new way, and to appreciate the others in their original, intended context.
The instrumental work is as important–and well-done–as the singing. Violinist Gjermund Larsen is a significant presence, also responsible for many of the wonderful arrangements. Throughout we hear various combinations of violin, keyed fiddle, double bass, harmonium, cello, organ, always expertly scored and tastefully used. I can’t finish without mentioning what for me turned out to be the highlight of the program: Terje Kvam’s setting of a hymn known in Norwegian as Deilig er jorden (O, Fairest Earth), which according to the notes is “one of the most beloved Christmas songs in Norway”. Most English speakers who know hymns will know this as “Beautiful Saviour” or “Fairest Lord Jesus”, but here the words proclaim “Fair is the earth, glorious is God’s heaven…Ages will come, ages will pass, Never shall cease the heavenly music in the soul’s joyous pilgrim song…Peace upon Earth, joy to mankind, Unto us a Saviour is born.” I never say this, but in this case I will: If you buy only one new Christmas recording this year…
