Vanishing Nordic Choral

Musik Ekklesia is a baroque period-instrument ensemble based in Indianapolis that draws leading players from around the United States and abroad. In this recording, old instruments are used not solely for historical recreation, but for their unique, timeless timbre and appropriateness to the folk-like character of some of the musical material. This album is sure to delight classical and early music lovers, as well as light the fire and spirit of the far north in the listeners.

Gramophone
This is a disc with intriguing slants on music that we may know from elsewhere and in other manifestations...

American Record Guide
Instrumentalists, choir, and soloists perform impeccably, with considerable skill, period zest, and palpable sacred spirit. Sound quality is beyond reproach, and we get solid, informative booklet notes and complete texts.

Notes & Reviews:

Includes prelude no. 23 (nielsen) / vor gud han er så fast by various composers.

Includes prelude no. 6 (nielsen) / var hälsad, sköna morgon by various composers.

Includes work(s) by Carl Nielsen (Composer).

Reviews

Vanishing? Hardly!

The Vanishing Nordic Chorale is a fascinating and instructive compilation imaginatively assembled and beautifully realized. Musik Ekklesia is a Baroque period informed ensemble of approximately 21 players based in Indianapolis. For this project they are joined by a complement of about 15 singers. The program, devised by music director and executive producer, Philip Spray is a unique snapshot of the Lutheran chorale, its preeminence in northern European music history as well as its ubiquity as thematic grist for composers as far afield as Bach and Nielsen. If you think such a concentrated dose of strophic tethered writing may sound monotonous, think again. This collection is anything but. All manner of vocal and instrumental permutations are employed to great effect, insuring sustained interest throughout the duration of this 61 minute program. The stylish performances are of the highest order. The end result is stirring. The recorded sound is first rate as are the extensive annotations. A topnotch production in all respects.
Submitted on 05/09/11 by conway

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Works Details

Pachelbel, Johann : Was Gott tut, das ist wohlgetan, sacred concerto for 4-part chorus, 2 violins, 2 violas, bassoon & c

Performers: Abigail Haynes (Alto); Gabriel Crouch (Baritone); Mitzi Westra (Alto); Aaron Cain (Alto); Daniel Blosser (Alto); Lindsey Adams (Alto)
Conductor: Philip Spray
Ensemble: Musik Ekklesia
Notes: Christel DeHaan Fine Arts Center, University of Indianapolis, Indiana, USA (08/18/2009-08/20/2009)
Running Time: 4 min. 33 sec.
Period Time: Baroque
Form: Concerto
Written: by 04/1706

Crüger, Johannes : Wie soll ich Dich empfangen

Performer: Mitzi Westra (Alto)
Conductor: Philip Spray
Ensemble: Musik Ekklesia
Notes: Christel DeHaan Fine Arts Center, University of Indianapolis, Indiana, USA (08/18/2009-08/20/2009)
Running Time: 2 min. 19 sec.
Period Time: Baroque

Praetorious, Michael : Psallite unigenito

Performers: Abigail Haynes (Alto); Daniel Blosser (Alto); Gabriel Crouch (Baritone); Mitzi Westra (Alto)
Conductor: Philip Spray
Ensemble: Musik Ekklesia
Notes: Christel DeHaan Fine Arts Center, University of Indianapolis, Indiana, USA (08/18/2009-08/20/2009)
Running Time: 1 min. 18 sec.
Period Time: Renaissance

Bach, Johann Sebastian : Cantata no 137, "Lobe den Herren, den mächtigen König der Ehren" BWV 137

Performers: Thomas Gerber (Organ); Lindsey Adams (Organ); Joanna Blendulf (Cello)
Conductor: Philip Spray
Notes: Christel DeHaan Fine Arts Center, University of Indianapolis, Indiana, USA (08/18/2009-08/20/2009)
Running Time: 3 min. 5 sec.
Period Time: Baroque
Form: Cantata/Oratorio
Written: 08/19/1725

Traditional, Christmas : Mitt hjerte alltid vanker (My Heart Doth Always Wander) (Norwegian)

Performer: Abigail Haynes
Conductor: Philip Spray
Ensemble: Musik Ekklesia
Notes: Christel DeHaan Fine Arts Center, University of Indianapolis, Indiana, USA (08/18/2009-08/20/2009)
Running Time: 3 min. 59 sec.

Grieg, Edvard : Den store, hvide flok (The Great, White Host), folk song for baritone & male chorus, Op. 30/10

Performer: Gabriel Crouch (Baritone)
Conductor: Philip Spray
Ensemble: Musik Ekklesia
Notes: Christel DeHaan Fine Arts Center, University of Indianapolis, Indiana, USA (08/18/2009-08/20/2009)
Running Time: 3 min. 56 sec.
Period Time: Romantic
Form: Chamber Music
Written: 1877-1878

Anonymous, Swedish : Der mange skal komme (Many Shall Come), hymn

Performers: Abigail Haynes (Alto); Mitzi Westra (Alto); Daniel Blosser (Alto); Gabriel Crouch (Baritone)
Conductor: Philip Spray
Ensemble: Musik Ekklesia
Notes: Christel DeHaan Fine Arts Center, University of Indianapolis, Indiana, USA (08/18/2009-08/20/2009)
Running Time: 2 min. 19 sec.
Form: Choral

Anonymous, Swedish : Från Gud vill jag ej vika (From God I Will Not Go), hymn (after Eustache du Caurroy) (a.k.a. "Från G

Performers: Aaron Cain (Baritone); Abigail Haynes (Baritone); Daniel Blosser (Baritone); Gabriel Crouch (Baritone); Lindsey Adams (Baritone)
Conductor: Philip Spray
Ensemble: Musik Ekklesia
Notes: Christel DeHaan Fine Arts Center, University of Indianapolis, Indiana, USA (08/18/2009-08/20/2009)
Running Time: 3 min. 4 sec.
Form: Choral

Schein, Johann Hermann : In dich hab ich gehoffet, Herr, hymn for 4 voices (& continuo) (Cantional...)

Performers: Daniel Blosser (Organ); Gabriel Crouch (Baritone); Aaron Cain (Organ); Thomas Gerber (Organ)
Conductor: Philip Spray
Notes: Christel DeHaan Fine Arts Center, University of Indianapolis, Indiana, USA (08/18/2009-08/20/2009)
Running Time: 2 min. 31 sec.
Period Time: Baroque

Bach, Johann Sebastian : O Jesulein süss, sacred song for voice & continuo (Schemelli Gesangbuch no 203), BWV 493 (BC F234)

Performers: Abigail Haynes (Organ); Thomas Gerber (Organ); David Walker (Lute)
Conductor: Philip Spray
Notes: Christel DeHaan Fine Arts Center, University of Indianapolis, Indiana, USA (08/18/2009-08/20/2009)
Running Time: 2 min. 43 sec.
Period Time: Baroque
Written: 1736

Mendelssohn, Felix : Verleih uns Frieden

Performers: Daniel Blosser (Alto); Lindsey Adams (Alto); Mitzi Westra (Alto); Abigail Haynes (Alto); Gabriel Crouch (Baritone); Aaron Cain (Alto)
Conductor: Philip Spray
Ensemble: Musik Ekklesia
Notes: Christel DeHaan Fine Arts Center, University of Indianapolis, Indiana, USA (08/18/2009-08/20/2009)
Running Time: 3 min. 58 sec.
Period Time: Romantic
Form: Choral
Written: 02/10/1831

Bach, Johann Sebastian : Cantata no 93, "Wer nur den lieben Gott lässt walten," BWV 93

Performers: Gabriel Crouch (Baritone); Aaron Cain (Baritone)
Conductor: Philip Spray
Ensemble: Musik Ekklesia
Notes: Christel DeHaan Fine Arts Center, University of Indianapolis, Indiana, USA (08/18/2009-08/20/2009)
Running Time: 4 min. 5 sec.
Period Time: Baroque
Form: Cantata/Oratorio
Written: 01/28/1725

Anonymous, Danish : Denne er dagen, som Herren har gjort (This is the Day the Lord Has Made), hymn (attrib. Carl Nielsen

Performers: Gabriel Crouch (Baritone); Abigail Haynes (Baritone); Daniel Blosser (Baritone); Lindsey Adams (Baritone)
Conductor: Philip Spray
Ensemble: Musik Ekklesia
Notes: Christel DeHaan Fine Arts Center, University of Indianapolis, Indiana, USA (08/18/2009-08/20/2009)
Running Time: 3 min. 1 sec.
Period Time: Modern
Form: Choral

Hassler, Hans Leo : Hertzlich lieb hab ich dich

Performers: Lindsey Adams (Baritone); Daniel Blosser (Baritone); Aaron Cain (Baritone); Gabriel Crouch (Baritone); Abigail Haynes (Baritone)
Conductor: Philip Spray
Ensemble: Musik Ekklesia
Notes: Christel DeHaan Fine Arts Center, University of Indianapolis, Indiana, USA (08/18/2009-08/20/2009)
Running Time: 2 min. 52 sec.
Period Time: Renaissance
Written: 1607

Buxtehude, Dietrich : Ein' feste Burg ist unser Gott, BuxWV 184

Performer: Balint Karosi (Organ)
Notes: The First Lutheran Church of Boston, Boston, Massachusetts, USA (11/02/2010-11/03/2010)
Running Time: 3 min. 50 sec.
Period Time: Baroque
Written: circa 1690

Karosi, Balint : Improvisation for organ on Nielsen's Prelude no 23 and Pederson's "Ein feste Burg"

Performer: Balint Karosi (Organ)
Notes: The First Lutheran Church of Boston, Boston, Massachusetts, USA (11/02/2010-11/03/2010)
Running Time: 2 min. 37 sec.

Buxtehude, Dietrich : Fried- und Freudenreiche Hinfarth, BuxWV 76

Performer: Balint Karosi (Organ)
Notes: The First Lutheran Church of Boston, Boston, Massachusetts, USA (11/02/2010-11/03/2010)
Running Time: 2 min. 31 sec.
Period Time: Baroque
Written: 1674

Reviews

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