Urgency of Now

Information

Urgency of Now – fresh, exciting, challenging!

Vocal Art Ensemble of Sweden treats us to choral music that takes on the burning questions of our day and age, such as the environment, democracy, xenophobia and equal rights regardless of colour, creed or ethnicity. A celebration of life!

A musical manifestation of our dedication to our times, the will to be an advocate of humanitarian values in a fast-paced society.

Two brand-new commissioned pieces for choir and percussion now enrich the Swedish choral repertoire thanks to support from Statens Kulturråd: Ulrika Emanuelsson’s ”Där livet klingar ut”, about the courage to stand up for a more humane society and my own composition “Urgency of Now”, about the unfulfilled promises of democracy.

Fresh arrangements for V.A.E. from two colourful singer-songwriters that move effortlessly between genres: Vienna Teng pokes fun at our information society in “Hymn of Acxion” and Imogen Heap speaks out against xenophobia in “Hide and Seek”.

Listeners are also treated to a burst of Filipino energy by John August Pamintuan and a plaintiff prayer for a better world by the Cuban composer Calixto Alvarez. Deservedly showcased with several tracks, Ēriks Ešenvalds of Lithuania displays his personal touch and his magic “singing” glasses.

Works by Maurice Ravel, Sven-David Sandström and Cesar Alejandro Carillo celebrate life and convey the message that we can make a difference. Samuel Barber’s “Agnus Dei” sums up the importance of personal growth and refinement.

Daniel Berg & Fredrik Duvling, Rhythm Art Duo, supports as percussionists on some of the tracks.

Recording of the month:
”This is, quite simply, 61 minutes of outstanding singing. This is an expert choir who blend together wonderfully and who create a sound that consistently delights the ear … They’ve been most sensitively recorded by Per Sjösten in what sounds like a lovely acoustic.” John Quinn, MusicWeb International

”Den här skivan är enormt imponerande … elitensemble på internationell nivå … sagolikt säker teknik … Sällan har jag varit lika tagen av en ny körskiva.” Stig Jacobsson, Hifi och musik, som utnämnde skivan till Årets bästa klassiska!

”Denna skiva är angelägen, den berör, den konfronterar och den öppnar en mängd fönster … Den är på allvar.” Per Rönnblom, Kyrkomusikernas Tidning

Innehåll / Contents:

The new moon – Ēriks Ešenvalds
O salutaris hostia – Ēriks Ešenvalds
To See a World – Sven-David Sandström
Le jardin féérique – Maurice Ravel (Transcription Thierry Machuel)
Hymn of Acxiom – Vienna Teng (Arr. Henrik Dahlgren)
Urgency of Now – Jan Yngwe
Där livet klingar ut – Ulrika Emanuelsson
Magnificat – César Alejandro Carillo
Hide and Seek – Imogen Heap (Arr. Jan Yngwe)
Lacrimosa – Calixto Alvarez
De profundis – John August Pamintuan
Agnus Dei – Samuel Barber
Stars – Ēriks Ešenvalds