Deutsche Version

The Nightingale
New Nordic Music for Recorder and Choir

UGIS PRAULINS (b.1957) – The Nightingale (2010)
(After Hans Christian Andersen)

DANIEL BÖRTZ (b.1939) – Nemesis divina (2006)
(Text: Carl von Linné)

SUNLEIF RASMUSSEN (b.1961) – "I" (2011)
(Text: Inger Christensen)

PETER BRUUN (b.1968) – 2 scenes with Skylark (2011)
(Text: Gerard Manley Hopkins)

Michala Petri, Recorder
Danish National Vocal Ensemble
Stephen Layton, conductor

OUR Recordings 6.220605 • UPC 747313160563

 

• All World Premiere Recordings!

• Four modern masters explore the musical possibilities of combining the Recorder and choir!

• Featuring the virtuoso Danish National Vocal Ensemble under the direction of Stephen Layton

• Recorded in state-of-the-art Super Audio Sound!

The “idea” of combining the recorder with a choir is certainly nothing new; the recorder has joined the human voice in song for almost as long as the instrument has existed. The recorder is in a sense the closest instrument to the human voice, producing a pure sound without mechanisms, reeds or elaborate mouthpieces to alter the tone. However, until recently, few contemporary composers have explored the expressive potential that this combination can deliver. A recurring theme of each of the four highly personal and distinctive works on this program is a contemplation of nature and humanity.

Beginning with Latvian composer Ugis Praulins magical adaptation of Andersen’s beloved fairy tale, we traverse the darker realms of the human heart in Sunleif Rasmussen’s setting of Inger Christensen’s confessional response to Wallace Steven’s “Thirteen Ways of Looking at a Blackbird.” Young Danish composer Peter Bruun provides us a glimpse into Gerard Manley Hopkins secretive mysticism while Daniel Börtz, dean of Swedish composers, holds us rapt in adoration as his celestial angel-bird soars above the extraordinary virtuoso singing of the Danish National Vocal Ensemble.

Once again, Michala Petri has proven herself not only the unquestioned master of the recorder, but her visionary approach to programming and commitment to expanding her instrument’s repertoire into the 21st century make this an absolutely essential disc for fans of Michala, choral music, Nordic composers, and contemporary music with a HEART as well as with a “system.”

“It also goes without saying that Michala Petri has no peer today as a master of her instrument, and she wrings more color and expressive intensity from the recorder than you ever believed possible.” - David Hurwitz, ClassicsToday.com

 

Recorded August 8-12 2011 in Christianskirken, Copenhagen, Denmark
Recorded by Timbre Music - www.timbremusic.dk
Recording producer: Preben Iwan
Executive producers: Lars Hannibal and Ivar Munk
Sound engineering: Preben Iwan & Mikkel Nymand
Booklet notes: Joshua Cheek
Photos: Tom Barnard, Ivan Riordan Boll, Keith Saunders, Georg Oddner
Artwork and cover design: Charlotte E. Z. Bruun Petersen
Recorded with generous support from STATENS KUNSTFOND

Recorders: Moeck, Ehlert and Mollenhauer
Recorded in the DXD audio format (Digital eXtreme Definition), 352.8 kHz / 24bit. Microphones: 3x DPA 4006TL - 2x DPA 4011TL - 4x U89 Neumann - 1x Sennheiser MKH40. Converters/ & Preamps: DAD AX24
DAW system: Pyramix with Smart AV Tango controller
Monitoring: B&W 802 Diamond speakers

SACD

Digitale Pressemappe von www.pressezentrum-musik.com