Christmas Songs with Orphei Drängar

Formed in 1853, the choir Orphei Drängar (OD) has constantly striven to discover and develop new directions for the male-voice choir, while not neglecting its splendid traditions. The first OD disc recorded together with the choir’s new artistic director, the celebrated choral conductor Cecilia Rydinger Alin, is no exception. Described by Choir & Organ (UK) as ‘a tremendous choir, with superb technique and an immense, expressive range’, OD gives proof of its versatility in a highly varied program which still manages to stay within the theme of Christmas: original settings and new arrangements of Swedish folk songs and Christmas classics, English carols and Broadway songs – with Stille Nacht, a Russian hymn in praise of the Holy Virgin, and Eric Whitacre’s widely admired Lux aurumque added for good measure. Supplying even more nuances to the palette is the choir’s guest artist, the young Swedish soprano Ida Falk Winland, as well as a brass ensemble, supporting choir and soloist in parts of the program.

Koppången
Forunderligt at sige
Jul, jul strålande jul
Hosiannah!
Madonnans vaggvisa
Vittskövlevisan
Staffansvisa från Orust
Hodie Christus natus est
He Shall Feed His Flock
Lux Aurumque
Stille Nacht
Dostóyno yest
Es ist ein Rose entsprungen
Joy to the World
Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas
The Christmas Song
Hark! The Herald Angels Sing
God Rest You Merry, Gentlemen
Tomorrow Shall Be My Dancing Day