Search - Sven-Erik Back, Johan Hammerth, Bo Hansson :: Sonority

Challenging, haunting music by an expert choir

Bruce Hodges | New York, NY | 12/23/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This is some recording. For fans of choral singing it is almost a "must" - I say "almost" only because the repertoire is entirely of the late 20th-century, and may not appeal to those whose tastes lie primarily in older works.



That said, this little-known choir from Sweden has provided a stunning example of what a great group can do with great material. (Note: the program is entirely a capella.) I was immediately taken with Thomas Jennefelt's "Bon," a short, striking piece that begins with oscillating intervals (major seconds) that sound simple to perform but in reality are incredibly difficult to sing, and here they sound almost supernaturally precise. Jennefelt's equally intriguing "Vinamintra elitavi" turns out to be about intervals as well, but more extreme ones: huge leaps of ninths, tenths and elevenths, which this amazing group executes with complete confidence and utterly secure intonation. Whether in unison or in complex chords, these singers seem to be capable of just about anything.



I also loved Johan Hammerth's gorgeous "Agnus Dei," packed with beautiful "tone clusters" similar to Ligeti's techniques in "Lux Aeterna," and Sven-David Sandstrom's "Veni sancte spiritus," described in director Gary Graden's (excellent) program notes as the centerpiece of the recording. This and Sandstrom's other works show a highly original composer writing for chorus with a keen imagination. But as with all great discs, every piece on the program is strong and offers its own revelations.



A friend in Minneapolis - a professional singer who heard this group perform live - alerted me to this CD, and it is absolutely amazing, one of the best choral recordings I've ever heard. Kudos to the excellent musicians, to director Gary Graden, and to BIS, whose engineers have captured the group with an appealing and resonant glow."

A Superb Collection of Swedish Choral Music from the 20th Ce

Grady Harp | Los Angeles, CA United States | 05/05/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"SONORITY is an apt title for this excellent recital of little known a capella choral music by Swedish composers as performed by the St. Jacob's Chamber Choir, conducted by Gary Graden. The quality of singing is top notch but the real reason to obtain this recording is for the introduction of such composers as Sven-David Sandstrom, Bo Hansson, Joakim Unander, Thomas Jennefelt, Bror Samuelson, Sven-Erik Back, Georg Riedel, Johan Hammerth, and the growingly popular Anders Hillborg.



This is choral writing at its finest with creative uses of the voice as instruments of color and flexibility. For those who enjoy fine choral singing captured in an excellent acoustical setting, this recording is highly recommended. For those whose interest in Nordic composition is increasing, this is a superb introduction to some very important artists! Grady Harp, May 06

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