Snowflakes - A Classical Christmas

Øystein Baadsvik, tuba; Cantus women's choir; Trondheim Symphony Orchestra / Torodd Wigum

O Come All Ye Faithful (Å, kom nå med lovsang); When You Wish Upon a Star; Ave Maria; Ding Dong Merrily on High; Eatnemen Vuelie; Betlehems stjärna (Star of Bethlehem); God Rest You Merry, Gentlemen; O helga natt (Cantique de Noël); Jul, jul, strålande jul (Christmas, Radiant Christmas); Snøfnugg (Snowflakes); Fantasi over Mitt Hjerte Alltid Vanker (Fantasia on My Heart Forever Roams); Mary's Boy Child; När det lider mot jul (Christmas Draws Nigh); St Stephen's Holiday; Silent Night (Glade Jul); Deilig er Jorden (Fairest Lord Jesus)

On five previous discs the astonishing tuba player Øystein Baadsvik has demonstrated his incredible versatility as a musician, while at the same time establishing that 'anything a violin can do, a tuba can do too', to quote a review in the Daily Telegraph of his first disc on BIS, Tuba Carnival. As Baadsvik writes in his own liner notes to the present disc: 'Every tuba player soon learns to live with people's "oompah-oompah" prejudices, but rarely have these been challenged more boldly than here. Never before has there been a Christmas record with symphony orchestra, women's choir and tuba!' The programme consists of lavish arrangements of Baadsvik's own international and Nordic Christmas favourites. As befits the season, the offering contains a few surprises as well - such as Eatnemen Vuelie, inspired by joik, the traditional singing of the Sami people, and a snowy version of Baadsvik's own piece Fnugg ('flakes'), with elements of beat-boxing as well as the sound of the Australian didgeridoo. With the Trondheim Symphony Orchestra lending the music all the variety and uplift that only a large orchestra can provide, and the glittering voices of the Cantus choir adding a festive glow, Baadsvik's tuba carries the day - atmospheric and joyous, tuneful and meditative by turns.

Price: $28.98

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