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Kind: News, Opinion Music Genre: Vocal Categories: Entertainment, Music, Holidays Published: December 23, 2009

Scandinavian Christmas Tradition extended to Germany and America

By DIETRICH MATTHÄUS

"Kling, Glöckchen kling," sings Theo Bleckmann, a Dortmund native jazz vocalist and classical countertenor, who has lived in New York for a long time. In addition to this German children's favorite, he sings lovely songs by the Minnesotan carol songwriter Alfred Burt and his lyricist Whila Hutson, "Bright, bright the Holly Berries", "Ah, Bleak and Chill the Wintry Wind" and "Carol of the Mother". However, German or American music is not at all in focus on this lovely disc, but work as extensions of the rich Scandinavian tradition.

The exuberant melodic world of the Swedish, Norwegian, Danish and Finnish selections demonstrate a wonderful singing tradition from this region of Europe. They cover the holidays from Santa Lucia on December 13th well beyond New Year's Day. Eeppi Ursin, Rigmor Gustafsson, Kristin Mulders and Sanni Orasmaa are all talented vocalists and very representative of their respective countries. Here they have succeeded making personal quality renditions of their songs for this important time of the year. The orchestra is varied from strings and woodwinds to brass and rhythm section. There are many nice grooves and pastoral moods, which remind us of the busyness during Christmas, as well as the peace of Christmas Eve itself. The band consists of Blue Music Group artists, mainly New York residents, who are present on a variety of albums on this fresh label. The nearly 70-minute album with 21 songs, which feels much shorter, ends humorously with Irving Berlin's classic tune, White Christmas, accompanied on a very out-of-tune piano and constant scratch sounds from the old times of nostalgic LPs. The album is not overly classical, but not very commercial either. I wish this ensemble made a European tour and received fame at Carnegie Hall and Lincoln Center, they deserve it. If all Christmas music had this quality, I'd be much happier making my last-minute shopping. Until then, I hope you will - as I have - enjoyed this music repeatedly at home.

christmascarols.bluemusicgroup.com

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