Sacred Music of Iceland The Hallgrimskirkja Motet Choir RARE FLAC

Work(s): Íslensk Kirkjutónlist (Sacred Music of Iceland)

Performer(s): Mótettukór Hallgrímskirkju (The Hallgrimskirkja Motet Choir) conducted by Hörður Áskelsson
Sigrún Hjálmtýsdottir (aka Diddu) sopran **

Audio CD: STEF, Iceland - MHCD 9001 – DDD (1990) - Digital editing - Audiophile
Recorded: by Icelandic National Broadcasting Service in March/April 1989 in the Lutheran Church of Hallgrimskikrja, Reykjavik.

01 Víst ertu, Jesú, kóngur klár (Thou art, Lord Jesus, King alone) 02:26
(trad.) – Arranged by Jón Hlöver Áskelsson (b. 1945)
Words from the “Hymns of the Passion” http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Passion_Hymns by Hallgrímur Pétursson (1614-1674)

02 Baenin má aldrei bresta þig (Never neglect thy daily prayer) 02:30
(trad.) – Arranged by Þorkell Sigurbjörnsson (b. 1938)
Words from the “Hymns of the Passion” by Hallgrímur Pétursson (1614-1674)

03 Ó, Jesú, ad mer snú (Turn Thou and look on me) 01:55
(trad.) – Arranged by Atli Heimir Sveinsson (b. 1938)
Words from the “Hymns of the Passion” by Hallgrímur Pétursson (1614-1674)

04 Svo stór synd engin er (No sin so great is known) 02:00
(trad.) – Arranged by Jón Nordal (b. 1926)
Words from the “Hymns of the Passion” by Hallgrímur Pétursson (1614-1674)

05 Dýrð, vald, virðing (To Thee be ever power and might) 03:40
(trad.) – Arranged by Jón Hlöðver Áskelsson (b. 1945)
Words from the “Hymns of the Passion” by Hallgrímur Pétursson (1614-1674)

06 Drottinn er minn hirðir (The Lord is my shepherd) 04:32
Davíðssálmur (Psalm 23) - Dominus regit me, composed by Jónas Tómasson (b. 1946)

07 Gloria 05:10
composed by Gunnar Reynir Sveinsson (b. 1933) and created by the Choir in 1986

08 Ave Maria 04:05
composed by Hjálmar H. Ragnarsson (b. 1952) and created by the Choir in 1986

09 Psalm 84 (Quam dilecta !) 05:34
composed by Hörður Áskelsson (b. 1953) and created by his own Choir in 1984

10 Englar hæstir, andar stærstir (Benedicite) 01:30
composed by Þorkell Sigurbjörnsson (b. 1938) - words by J.S. Blackie and Mathias Jochumsson Þýddi

11 Til þín, Drottinn hnatta og heima (To Thee, Lord of Earth and Heaven) 03:45
composed by Þorkell Sigurbjörnsson (b. 1938) - words by Páll V.G. Kolka

12 Guð, helgur andi, heyr oss nú (To God the Holy Spirit let us pray) 02:48
Þyskt lag - Róbert Abraham Ottósson (1912-1974) - words by Helgi Hálfdánarson Þyddi

13 Krossferli að fylgja þínum (I have a true desire) 03:20
(trad.) – Arranged by Róbert Abraham Ottósson (1912-1974)
Words from the “Hymns of the Passion” by Hallgrímur Pétursson (1614-1674)

14 Kvöldbænir Hallgríms Péturssonar ** (Evening prayers) 10:30
composed by Þorkell Sigurbjörnsson (b. 1938)
Words by Hallgrímur Pétursson (1614-1674)
\"Legg eg nú bædi lif og önd
Sólin till fjalla fljótt
I naðarnafni Þinu\"

TT : 53:45 (mere addition of tracks without the gaps)

I was unable to google any reviews but I can tell you that this is absolutely beautiful and emotional music. One can feel the Northern light, the isolation, the transparent atmosphere and the harsh life. They all transpire in the voices and songs. The harmonies themselves have more than often an ice clear texture, perfectly rendered by the top notch Choir.
The severe Icelandic landscapes and the Soul of the Country pervade this poignant and highly spiritual music.

Extracted with Exact Audio Copy V0.99 prebeta 4 (for details, see CUE and LOG files included in the torrent). CUE file made for WAV. Converted with dBpowerAMP to FLAC Quality 8 (longest conversion => minimum errors => best quality)