Credits:

Sorensen, Bent (1958-)

Description:

The Matthew Passion by Bent Thaansen, one of the leading contemporary Danish composers! Danish composer Bent Thaansen (1958-) is one of the most performed and most acclaimed composers on the Nordic music scene. His triple concerto, "Urban Island (L'isolda della Chitta)," won the 2018 Gromyer Music Prize. He studied with Ip Nuerkholm and Pia Nuagor and has remained faithful to his early discovery of his own "voice. The "Matthew Passion" was born around 2014 out of a desire to compose a "Matthew Passion" above all else. When the concept was developed and the shape of the work was ready, the Passion was announced. The Oslo International Church Music Festival and the Danish National Symphony Orchestra decided to co-commission the work. The Passion is a "journey through the mist - into the light and out of the light. A journey toward the crucifixion, and more importantly, a journey toward the resurrection. I felt the need to believe in confidence, to believe in resurrection rather than death" (Saaransen). The music was composed in ten chapters, from "In the veil of mist" to "In the mist," and the libretto, which is basically in English except for some parts in Latin, was compiled by Jacob Holtze of the Royal Danish Academy of Music with Saaransen's intentions in mind.In addition to "The Bible," works by Edith Södergrund, Anna Ahmatova, Emily Dickinson, Seán Ulrik Thomsen, Ole Servie, and Frank Yeya were cited, and Chapter 4, "Stormy Night," used Dickinson's entire poem "On Stormy Night, Stormy Night" and Isaiah's "Fear Don't be afraid, I will redeem you ......" (chapter 43) from Isaiah was used for the text. The music of the "Night of the Storm" is not only an expression of Christ's love for all mankind through the crucifixion and resurrection, but also of a love that is "pungent and beautiful" (Saaransen). It is a work of "love passion" with the "gradations of light and shadow" and "silence" textures inherent in Saarlansen's music, and was premiered by the Norwegian Soloist Choir and Ensemble Alegria, conducted by Grete Pedersen, on March 27, 2022, at Oslo Cathedral. The album was recorded at the same Lys Church in Oslo as J.S. Bach's "Motet" (BIS SA-2251) in a session that preceded the premiere. King International

Tracklisting:

1.St Matthew Passion~I. In veils of mist
2.St Matthew Passion~II. Betania
3.St Matthew Passion~III. Psalm
4.St Matthew Passion~IV. Wild Nights
5.St Matthew Passion~V. Crucifixus
6.St Matthew Passion~VI. Lament
7.St Matthew Passion~VII. Tenebrae
8.St Matthew Passion~VIII. Magdalena
9.St Matthew Passion~IX. The shore again, Galilee
10.St Matthew Passion~X. Into the Mist