THE NORDIC CHOIR EXPEDITION IS BACK!

Performing at the Koorbiennale with their own concerts:
Helsingin kamarikuoro
Eric Ericsons Kammarkör
Det Norske Solistkor
Ars Nova Copenhagen

Sat 29.6.2019 at 20.15
Cathedral of Saint Bavo, Haarlem, Netherlands
(Koorbiennale)

Helsinki Chamber Choir
Nils Schweckendiek, conductor

ALEX FREEMAN: Sydämeni laulu *
JEAN SIBELIUS: Sydämeni laulu
JEAN SIBELIUS: Saarella palaa
FREDRIK PACIUS: Vårmorgonen
DANIEL FRIDERICI: Aetas carmen melodiae a2 (Piae Cantiones 1625)
DANIEL FRIDERICI: Aetas carmen melodiae a4 (Piae Cantiones 1625)
JAN PIETERSZOON SWEELINCK: Cantique de Siméon
DANIEL FRIDERICI: Jucundare jugiter (Piae Cantiones 1625)
EINOJUHANI RAUTAVAARA: A Book of Life (Elämän kirja) (version för mixed choir)
ALEX FREEMAN: O years and graves! *
KRZYSTOF PENDERECKI: Agnus Dei (together with Ars Nova Copenhagen)

* from Under the Arching Heavens – A Requiem (2018)

Tickets: 30–20 € – www.koorbiennale.nl

”Und dann hinaus: die Strassen sprühn und klingen
und auf den Plätzen die Fontänen springen
und in den Gärten wird die Welt so weit.
Und durch das alles gehn im kleinen Kleid,
ganz anders als die andern gehn und gingen:
O wunderliche Zeit, o Zeit verbringen,
o Einsamkeit. ”

– Rainer Maria Rilke

” Exhale them perennial, sweet death, years, centuries hence...”
– Walt Whitman

Einojuhani Rautavaara’s monumental choral piece A Book of Life reflects everything from childhood to death and is now premiered in a new version for mixed choir. Like Rautavaara, Alex Freeman combines poetry from many sources in his touching requiem in memory of the victims of the Finnish civil war. Prominent Finnish choral pieces are also included, as well as a time trip to the 17th century and the first published collection of music sung in Finland.

Alex Freeman and the Helsinki Chamber Choir at the world premiere of Under the Arching Heavens in May 2018. Photo Bita Razavi.
 

The Nordic Choir Expedition is supported by: