KETIL BJØRNSTAD - A Passion For John Donne
ECM 379 5985
Håkon Kornstad (tenor saxophone, flute, voice); Ketil Bjørnstad (piano); Birger Mistereggen (percussion)
Oslo Chamber Choir, conducted by Håakon Daniel Nystedt
Recorded March 2012
Bj ørnstad has long been an admirer of the work of English metaphysical poet John Donne (1572-1631), having worked with his texts for more than twenty years and set his verse to music on a previous ECM album, The Light.
This premiere performance of this work, written for the Oslo International Church Festival, was recorded live at the Sofianberg Kirke. The concert is a marvel in the blending of the choir with the sparse instrumentation, and the depth of texture and timbre that Bjørnstad elicits from the voices.
The pianists understanding of the verses chosen, and an innate and delicate sense of the melodic and harmonic shapes that will work with the ensemble create a music that transcends all of its component parts to create a truly beautiful and captivating album.
Saxophonist, Kornstad, shows great versatility in switching between his instrumental role and taking a vocal lead in singing operatic tenor, and actually spent three years studying opera. If his operatic voice is relatively tightly scored, then is tenor saxophone playing is full toned and use of tonal manipulation and slap tonguing technique brings a wide palette for the composer to utilise, whether written or when allowed to improvise more freely as heard on three superb instrumental interludes for the trio.
Bjørnstad’s use of the full ensemble, with his own piano to the fore, is given full reign on the delightful ‘Farewell To Love’ where as a cadenza we here a lonesome and wistful clarinet, uncredited on the album from Kornstad (?). More variety is introduced on the equally absorbing ‘A Valediction, Forbidden Mourn’ with the subtle but effective use of tuned percussion from Birger Mistereggen’s delicate marimba.
For those who enjoyed Bjønstad’s previous ECM release, Sunrise, a cantata on texts by Edvard Munch will want to add this to their collection, and if you are yet to discover the work of the Norwegian pianist, composer, improviser, novelist then this is a good place to acquaint yourself with a unique and uplifting musical experience that bridges the classical, ecclesiastical, choral and improvising traditions without diluting or compromising the integrity of the idioms that it borrows from.
Reviewed by Nick Lea
ECM 379 5985
Håkon Kornstad (tenor saxophone, flute, voice); Ketil Bjørnstad (piano); Birger Mistereggen (percussion)
Oslo Chamber Choir, conducted by Håakon Daniel Nystedt
Recorded March 2012
Bj ørnstad has long been an admirer of the work of English metaphysical poet John Donne (1572-1631), having worked with his texts for more than twenty years and set his verse to music on a previous ECM album, The Light.
This premiere performance of this work, written for the Oslo International Church Festival, was recorded live at the Sofianberg Kirke. The concert is a marvel in the blending of the choir with the sparse instrumentation, and the depth of texture and timbre that Bjørnstad elicits from the voices.
The pianists understanding of the verses chosen, and an innate and delicate sense of the melodic and harmonic shapes that will work with the ensemble create a music that transcends all of its component parts to create a truly beautiful and captivating album.
Saxophonist, Kornstad, shows great versatility in switching between his instrumental role and taking a vocal lead in singing operatic tenor, and actually spent three years studying opera. If his operatic voice is relatively tightly scored, then is tenor saxophone playing is full toned and use of tonal manipulation and slap tonguing technique brings a wide palette for the composer to utilise, whether written or when allowed to improvise more freely as heard on three superb instrumental interludes for the trio.
Bjørnstad’s use of the full ensemble, with his own piano to the fore, is given full reign on the delightful ‘Farewell To Love’ where as a cadenza we here a lonesome and wistful clarinet, uncredited on the album from Kornstad (?). More variety is introduced on the equally absorbing ‘A Valediction, Forbidden Mourn’ with the subtle but effective use of tuned percussion from Birger Mistereggen’s delicate marimba.
For those who enjoyed Bjønstad’s previous ECM release, Sunrise, a cantata on texts by Edvard Munch will want to add this to their collection, and if you are yet to discover the work of the Norwegian pianist, composer, improviser, novelist then this is a good place to acquaint yourself with a unique and uplifting musical experience that bridges the classical, ecclesiastical, choral and improvising traditions without diluting or compromising the integrity of the idioms that it borrows from.
Reviewed by Nick Lea
