Julemesse - Missa in Nativitate Domini Sølvguttene

• 1Hodie Christus Natus Est02:05
• 2Kling No Klokka01:21
• 3Kyrie Og Gloria02:15
• 4In Nativitate Domini04:36
• 5Det Hev Ei Rose Sprunge03:15
• 6Es Ist Ein Ros' Entsprungen01:58
• 7Puer Natus in Betlehem02:45
• 8Freu' Dich Erd Und Sternenzelt01:10
• 9Credo02:12
• 10En Natus Est Emmanuel01:38
• 11Et Lite Barn SÃ¥ Lystelig02:44
• 12Julefantasi - Harpesolo04:03
• 13Glade Jul03:08
• 14Sanctus Og Benedictus03:50
• 15Ave Maris Stella02:31
• 16Agnus Dei01:10
• 17Panis Angelicus03:23
• 18Deilig Er Jorden02:33
• 19Orgelimprovisata over Deilig Er Jorden05:01
• 20Hodie Christus Natus Est02:19
• Total Runtime53:57

Info for Julemesse - Missa in Nativitate Domini

Their Julemesse: Missa in Nativitate Domini is a classical jewel, o'erbrimming with the clean, high sounds that only a boys' choir can properly achieve. When you see the young boys clad in sailor tunics on the album's front cover, you can imagine the innocence and purity of heaven on earth. It's just that kind of offering.

The 'Boys of Silver' are not alone. They have organ accompaniment (Kare Nordstoga), including an extended lead-in on the fourth track (In nativitate Domini). In fact, the capable organ prelude is so extensive that I thought this cut must be all-instrumental, but that is not the case. The organ does, however, stand alone on Deilig er jorden (track 19), a lengthy excursion (5 minutes) into majestic improvisations. Ellen Sejersted Bodtker also contributes a rich harp framework (on Et lite barn sa lystelig, for example) and a fantastical fairyworld on the instrumental Julefantasi. As a hard-core a cappella fan, I must confess my bias for the unadorned vocals on this offering.

Solvguttene's rendition of Es ist ein Ros' entsprungen is a spiritual experience. The harmonies are spot-on, and the outstanding church acoustics create an ethereal wonder-heavenly!

These 'Boys of Silver' do Norway proud on Julemesse. Even the packaging is something special; the liner notes (mostly in Norwegian) are extensive, and the unusual jewel case has enhanced hinges and nice access to the disc itself.

SØLVGUTTENE conducted by Fredrik Otterstad
Ellen Sejersted Bødtker,
harpe Kåre Nordstoga, organ

Sølvguttene (Silverboys – Norwegian Broadcasting’s Boys Choir) was founded in 1940 by Torstein Grythe, and is one of Norway’s most popular choirs. The choir has received various national and international merits, and has a varied touring agenda.

Sølvguttene has had the privilege to sing at numerous fabulous arenas, among them St. Peter’s Cathedral in Rome, Westminster Abbey in London, The Dome in Berlin and the Norwegian Royal Palace.

For many Norwegians, Sølvguttene is synonymous with Christmas, but for us, Christmas is synonymous with Sølvguttene. It is not without reason that we chose to spend hours upon hours of our spare time on this choir. The desire to sustain the legacy created through over 65 years of Sølvguttene is what keeps us going. Since the beginning, over 1700 boys have been part of the choir, and every one of them has contributed to the history of Sølvguttene. For every new boy that joins, this choir changes. But at the core, the unique sound and the thrill of singing at the highest level remains constant. However constant, the choir develops with its new conductor Fredrik Otterstad.

Fredrik Otterstad has been conductor of Sølvguttene since 2004. He graduated from the Norwegian Academy of Music in 1999. Fredrik began as a young boy in the choir back in 1985, and stayed with the choir for years, even as an adult.

Ellen Sejersted Bødtker has played with Sølvguttene since 1990, and is one of Scandinavia’s leading harpists. Thanks to her versatility, Ellen has shown how the colourful harp sound can be developed through playfulness and free improvisation.

In addition to accompanying Sølvguttene on a regular basis, Kåre Nordstoga is the organ player at the Oslo Cathedral. Nordstoga studied at the Norwegian Academy of Music, where he became professor in 1994.

Booklet for Julemesse - Missa in Nativitate Domini