Musik Ekklesia - Vanishing Nordic Chorale - COMPACT DISCS [CD]

Gavin Higgins (b. 1983) is one of the most exciting and gifted compositional talents of his generation, described as 'boldly imaginative' (Times) and 'a talent to watch' (New York Times). From a long lineage of brass band musicians, Higgins was born in Gloucestershire and grew up in the Forest of Dean. He studied French horn at Chetham's School of Music and composition at The Royal Northern College of Music and the Royal College of Music. In 2010 he became the inaugural music fellow for the Rambert Dance Company writing a number of daring ballet scores including What Wild Ecstasy (2012) which was shortlisted for a British Composer Award; and the ground-breaking Dark Arteries (2015) which was shortlisted for a Royal Philharmonic Award and a British Composer Award. His work has been commissioned by some of the UK's leading festivals, including three commissions for the BBC Proms Der Aufstand (2012), Rough Voices (2020) and the 'fast, exciting and brilliantly scored' (Telegraph) Velocity which opened the Last Night of the Proms (2014). In 2019 his first opera, The Monstrous Child, commissioned by the Royal Opera House, opened to critical acclaim, being described as 'a triumph' (Guardian). In 2020 Higgins was appointed Composer-in-Association with the BBC National Orchestra of Wales. Album Tracks 1. Gursky Landscapes, String Quintet (2015-18) 2. Ruins of Detroit, Piano Trio (2014) 3. Seven Welsh Folk Songs, Solo Violin (2020-21) 4. Ekstasis, String Sextet (2019)

It is definitely stimulating and challenging for an arranger to create unity between a folk trio and a chamber orchestra; let alone between different styles of music and instrumental playing. The Nordic Symphonic project; with it's meeting of the Nordic trio and a classical orchestra; is a great example of the kind of musical cross-fertilisation one can only dream of. In this collaboration Nordic's intricate swing-based style is set against the broader sound palette of the orchestra the trio sets off on a whirlwind adventure; with sounds from across the whole planet; and the orchestra follows along. Album Tracks 1. Fuffe (Arr. K.-J. Ankarblom, a. Lofberg and M. Zetterlund for Orchestra) [05 02] 2. Bruce (Arr. K.-J. Ankarblom, E. Rydvall and M. Zetterlund for Orchestra) [04 46] 3. Metropolitan (Arr. H. Hjortek for Orchestra) [04 21] 4. 8-Bitar (Arr. K.-J. Ankarblom, a. Lofberg and M. Zetterlund for Orchestra) [04 41] 5. Nordic Symphonic Suite (Arr. K.-J. Ankarblom for Orchestra) [10 03] 6. S Igrid Och Småfolket (Arr. K.-J. Ankarblom, a. Lofberg and M. Zetterlund for Orchestra) [06 18] 7. Chicken - Hen (Arr. K.-J. Ankarblom, a. Lofberg and M. Zetterlund for Orchestra) [03 51] 8. Morsis (Arr. K.-J. Ankarblom, a. Lofberg and M. Zetterlund for Orchestra) [05 30] 9. Döden (Arr. K.-J. Ankarblom and M. Zetterlund for Orchestra) [06 34] 10. Variación Andina (Arr. K.-J. Ankarblom, a. Lofberg, E. Rydvall and M. Zetterlund for Orchestra) [04 12

Album Tracks 1. A Gallery Carol 2. Advent 3. Adeste Fideles (O Come All Ye Faithful) (Sung in Swedish) (Arr. D. Willcocks) 4. Din Forlossning Nalkas (Arr. O. Johansson) 5. En Hymn Till Stjarnan 6. Die Weihnachtsgeschichte, Op. 10 Es Ist Ein Ros Entsprungen (Sung in Swedish) 7. 5 Christmas Songs, Op. 1 No. 4. Giv Mig Ej Glans (Give Me No Splendour), Julvisa 8. Glad Dig Du Kristi Brud (O Bride of Christ, Rejoice) (Arr. O. Johansson) 9. Guds Son Ar Fodd 10. Hark! the Herald Angels Sing (Arr. D. Willcocks) 11. I Saw a Fair Maiden 12. Jul, Jul Stralande Jul (Christmas, Radiant Christmas) 13. Julsang (Se, Julens Stjarna Stralar Klar) (See How Brightly Shines the Star) 14. Marias Vaggsang (Mary's Lullaby) 15. Nu Tandas Tusen Juleljus (Arr. A. Ohrwall) 16. Nar Det Lider Mot Jul 17. Nu Ar Advent 18. O Helga Natt (Cantique de Noel, O Holy Night) 19. Stille Nacht (Silent Night) (Sung in Swedish) (Arr. L. Ek) 20. Underbar en Stjarna Blid 21. Adventshymn