O Listen to the Music of Uroš Krek and Else Marie Pade Danish National Vocal Ensemble & Martina Batič

• Uroš Krek (1922 - 2008): Three Autumn Songs (1991):
• 1 Krek: Three Autumn Songs (1991): I. O Listen 02:40
• 2 Krek: Three Autumn Songs (1991): II. Some deep song 02:00
• 3 Krek: Three Autumn Songs (1991): III. Come Away 03:05
• Vöra bije (1997):
• 4 Krek: Vöra bije (1997) 03:44
• Salmo XLII (Desiderium exsulis) (1991):
• 5 Krek: Salmo XLII (Desiderium exsulis) (1991) 04:30
• Samotno ugibanje (1987, rev. 1998):
• 6 Krek: Samotno ugibanje (1987, rev. 1998) 04:12
• Vester, Camenae (1994):
• 7 Krek: Vester, Camenae (1994) 06:40
• Else Marie Pade (1924 - 2016): Korsatser (arr. 2009):
• 8 Pade: Korsatser (arr. 2009): I. I drømme 02:20
• 9 Pade: Korsatser (arr. 2009): II. Den hvide nat 03:28
• 10 Pade: Korsatser (arr. 2009): III. Midsommervise 03:08
• Völo-spa hoc est (1956):
• 11 Pade: Völo-spa hoc est (1956) 07:17
• Maria (1980):
• 12 Pade: Maria (1980): I. Venerari (To fear) 02:30
• 13 Pade: Maria (1980): II. Amare (To love) 02:07
• 14 Pade: Maria (1980): III. Mirari (To wonder) 02:30
• 15 Pade: Maria (1980): IV. Pati (To suffer) 01:33
• 16 Pade: Maria (1980): V. Contristari (To mourn) 01:35
• 17 Pade: Maria (1980): VI. Desidare (To long) 02:14
• 18 Pade: Maria (1980): VII. Judicare (To judge) 02:41
• 19 Pade: Maria (1980): VIII. Scire (To know) 02:22
• 20 Pade: Maria (1980): IX. Orare (To pray) 02:22
• 21 Pade: Maria (1980): X. Sanctificare (To be sanctified) 02:15
• 22 Pade: Maria (1980): XI. Vivere (To live) 02:20
• Total Runtime 01:07:33

Info for O Listen to the Music of Uroš Krek and Else Marie Pade

The latest release from the internationally acclaimed, multi-award-winning Danish National Vocal Ensemble marks an extraordinary milestone in the choir's history with the appointment of their new Chief Conductor, Martina Batic, and it was clear from the very beginning there was a special connection between her and the choir's singers!

For her OUR Recordings debut, maestra Batic has chosen the works of two composers, both of whom may well come as revelations to music lovers. Opening the album is a selection of works from one of the musical heroes of her homeland, the Slovenian composer Uros Krek. Highly regarded in his homeland, Krek's stylistically accessible, well-crafted music is seldom heard internationally, making this musical encounter particularly valuable. A fluid pan-tonality informed the Three Autumn Songs while the other selections freely draw upon folk-influences and orthodox polyphony.

As a calling card to her new Danish friends, Maestra Batic makes an extraordinary artistic statement presenting the choral music of Else Marie Pade! Rightly celebrated as one of the pioneers of electronic music, Pade also composed an extraordinary catalogue of works for acoustic instruments and voice. As beautifully score the pair of stunning works from the 1950s are, nothing could prepare us for the World Premiere Recording of Pade's extraordinary Maria (1980) scored for coloratura soprano, bass baritone, speaking choir and 7 trombones, and electronic sounds. Written as spiritual self-solace to comfort her from her trauma during the war, Maria is a modernist musical Rosary, and a masterwork of contemporary religious music. Truly, Martina Batic and the Danish National Vocal Ensemble has taken us on an amazing journey you will not want to miss!

‘The Danish National Vocal Ensemble's rendition leaves nothing to be desired in either Else Marie Pade or Uroš Krek; on the contrary, it is fascinating over long stretches due to the fully utilised sound possibilities, which are further enhanced by the recording technology. The 18 voices cover a wide spectrum of colours, from gothic bass tones to spherical soprano sounds, with the first soprano Anna Miilmann in Maria brilliantly mastering the virtuoso demands. In the harmony of all the voices, you can even hear an imaginary orchestra in the a cappella singing. The booklet contains all the sung texts in the original and in English translation, and the English essays on the two composers, of whom Krek at least is probably not very well known in this country, are very helpful.’ (Ekkehard Pluta, lassik-heute.de)

Danish National Vocal Ensemble
Martina Batič, conductor

The Danish National Vocal Ensemble
is an elite professional chamber choir, acclaimed internationally both for its virtuoso choral technique and the beauty of its transparent Nordic sound. Each of its 18 members functions both as a singer in the full ensemble and as an individual soloist in their own right.

The performances of the Danish National Vocal Ensemble can lead their audiences through the whole span of the choral repertoire – from the Renaissance polyphony of five centuries ago, through the classics of the Romantic era, to the brand new scores of our own time: the choir has premiered and commissioned works by many of the leading Danish and Euro­pean composers of today.

Each season the Danish National Vocal Ensemble presents a series of a cappella concerts in Copenhagen and across Denmark and is frequently invited to perform abroad. In addition, the choir regularly performs accompanied repertoire, joining forces with the Danish National Symphony Orchestra. Other collaborations have included performances with the period-instrument Concerto Copenhagen, with contemporary music groups such as The Nash Ensemble and Bang on a Can All-Stars and with ensembles from across Europe.

The Danish National Vocal Ensemble has released a substantial catalogue of outstanding and award-winning CDs. In 2015 their recording of Olivier Messiaen’s virtuosic Cinq Rechants, won the Diapason d’Or de l’Année and the Danish Radio P2 Prize, and in 2012 The Nightingale – recor­ded with Danish recorder virtuoso Michala Petri – won the prestigious German ECHO award.

This album contains no booklet.