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BIS-2662
Originally recorded in 2023
Classical
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About
This recording presents Kaija Saariaho’s works for choir, a cappella and with electronics, and displays her virtuosity in the treatment of texts, which she endows with the full range of verbal expression. At least one of these works is also a discographic premières. Nuits, adieux, presented here both in its a cappella version and with electronics, could be described as a lullaby, not so much for a sleeping child as for an elderly person sleeping out of our world. Funny and very serious at the same time, Horloge, tais-toi was conceived for a children choir. Écho! deals with the myth of Echo and Narcissus, with the idea of echo being naturally extended with electronics that process and reverb the voices of the singers. Based on poems by German poet Friedrich Hölderlin, Tags des Jahrs display an archaic choral treatment expanded by sounds of the human voices, birds, wind and other natural phenomena. Überzeugung engages with medieval music and treats the contrast between light and dark as a trance-like interplay between past and present. Finally, Reconnaissance can be seen as a ‘science-fiction madrigal’. Nils Schweckendiek and the Helsinki Chamber Choir initially performed this programme in concert in August 2022 as part of the celebrations surrounding Saariaho’s 70th birthday.
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Reviews
Winner of Best Choral Performance Award
Artistic Quality 10 Sound Quality 10 Overall Impression 10
Classic Today Recommendation
“…The Helsinki Chamber Choir performs all of these works with the greatest vocal perfection. The tonal nuances that it produces seem to be almost limitless, and not just when combined with electronics. In addition, there is excellent intonation, which is simply essential for works of this vocal complexity. Here, worlds of sound are discovered that lose none of their fascination even after repeated listening.”
Klassik.com Recommends
Interpretation ***** Sound Quality ***** Repertoire Value ***** Booklet ****
“…This production with choral music by Kaija Saariaho became, unplanned, a tombeau for a great composer. You can hear advanced choral music that explores the realm of ambitious techniques subtly and without flashy effects. The Helsinki Chamber Choir does justice to the works with the effect of the obvious and natural…”
Winner of Contemporary Music Award
“…this collection makes a fitting tribute to the memory of Kaija Saariaho in a medium we don't associate with her. The album is named after Reconaissance, a 25-minute sequence of alien soundscapes from 2020 setting texts by her son Aleksi Barriere and ending with a Requiem… Fully immersive sound and performances.”
Choral Award 2024 – Nomination
5* Coup de Coeur
Editor’s Choice – Vocal
Editor's Choice - October 2023
"...In all, it serves as a fine survey of Saariaho’s work for voice away from the opera stage, and seems all the more valuable for having had the composer present and contributing." ****
Crescendo Joker Sound 10 Booklet 10 Repertoire 10 Interpretation 10
“… The Helsinki Chamber Choir, led by Nils Schweckendiek … and the solo voices that emanate from it, are magnificent…”
Recording of the Month
"...this is an indispensable disc for all lovers of choral music. The performances are tremendous."
"...The most immediately impressive piece is Nuits, adieux of 1991, a collection of night-time thoughts presented in its original version with electronic enhancements (a Saariaho speciality) and a later edition with larger forces." ****
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