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Maria Magdalena
Johann Sebastian Bach, Sinikka Langeland, Traditional

Sinikka Langeland

Maria Magdalena

Format: CD
Label: Lawo Classics
UPC: 7090020182506
Catnr: LWC 1228
Release date: 08 October 2021
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1 CD
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Label
Lawo Classics
UPC
7090020182506
Catalogue number
LWC 1228
Release date
08 October 2021
Album
Artist(s)
Composer(s)
EN

About the album

The story of Mary Magdalene has been a source of comfort for many women, and research has shown that medieval ballads about Mary Magdalene are often sung by single mothers. Young women who were out¬casts must have found some measure of consolation in the songs about Mary, who bore children with her fa¬ther, her brother and a priest, but was cleansed of sin after doing penance in the wilderness for many years. But the possibility should not be overlooked that the songs could have been sung with a sarcastic undertone, becoming an unassailable and liberating weapon when there was no other recourse for rebelling against unjust treatment.

The Mary Magdalene ballads, found in Solør, Telemark and Gudbrandsdalen, along with other folk tunes and improvisations, form the musical basis of the vocal element, where Sinikka Langeland uses the recitative form to tell the story while surrounded by works of Johann Sebastian Bach. The instrumental music is meant to intensify the emotions and atmosphere of the story although it is in itself, of course, some of the most beautiful music ever written.

Bach/Vivaldi’s well-known Concerto in G Major, “Christ lag in Todesbanden”, BWV 718 and “Allein Gott in der Höh’ sei Ehr”, BWV 676 are played by Kåre Nordstoga on the famous Wagner organ in the Nidaros Cathedral, and Bach’s Cello Suite in D Major, BWV 1012 (here in G Major) is played on the viola by Lars Anders Tomter. Langeland also improvises vocally to two of Bach’s works. Between the texts that describe Jesus appearing to his disciples after the resurrection, she plays a 15-string kantele.

The recording was made in the Nidaros Cathedral, and represents the continuation of a project of many years’ standing to place Norwegian religious folk songs side by side with organ chorales by Bach, using the same hymn as a basis. Here Langeland is taking a freer approach, but is still pairing folk songs with works by Bach, as on her earlier recording of songs about the Virgin Mary. Marias song was released by the ECM label in 2009. This new release presents a fascinating and multifaceted portrait of the most prominent woman in the Christian world after the Virgin Mary.

SINIKKA LANGELAND SONG/KANTELE
Sinikka Langeland was born in Kirkenær, Solør, in 1961, and is one of the most distinctive folk musicians of our time. She has brought the Skogfinn (Forest Finn) culture into focus through her research, reinterpretations and presentations. She plays the kantele, the Finnish national instrument, but is also known as an interpreter of folk songs such as rune songs and kveding (a traditional vocal technique). After having discovered some folk variants of “Kyrie” and other religious folk songs, she initiated a long-term project of juxtaposing these with organ chorales and other works by Johann Sebastian Bach that are based on the same hymns. This fascinating combination has resulted in five records, and presents an entirely new musical landscape. “She sounds like a whole orchestra with her remarkable vocal and kantele technique,” one journalist noted.

Artist(s)

Sinikka Langeland (vocals)

Sinikka Langeland was born in Kirkenær, Solør, in 1961, and is one of the most distinctive folk musicians of our time. She has brought the Skogfinn (Forest Finn) culture into focus through her research, reinterpretations and presentations. She plays the kantele, the Finnish national instrument, but is also known as an interpreter of folk songs such as rune songs and kveding (a traditional vocal technique). After having discovered some folk variants of “Kyrie” and other religious folk songs, she initiated a long-term project of juxtaposing these with organ chorales and other works by Johann Sebastian Bach that are based on the same hymns. This fascinating combination has resulted in five records, and presents an entirely new musical landscape. “She sounds...
more
Sinikka Langeland was born in Kirkenær, Solør, in 1961, and is one of the most distinctive folk musicians of our time. She has brought the Skogfinn (Forest Finn) culture into focus through her research, reinterpretations and presentations. She plays the kantele, the Finnish national instrument, but is also known as an interpreter of folk songs such as rune songs and kveding (a traditional vocal technique). After having discovered some folk variants of “Kyrie” and other religious folk songs, she initiated a long-term project of juxtaposing these with organ chorales and other works by Johann Sebastian Bach that are based on the same hymns. This fascinating combination has resulted in five records, and presents an entirely new musical landscape. “She sounds like a whole orchestra with her remarkable vocal and kantele technique,” one journalist noted.
In her most recent work, “Sauna Cathedral”, she also brings two Bach chorales into her own composition, which she has arranged for her ensemble that features some of Scandinavia’s most distinctive jazz musicians. Her musicians enhance the compositions with their improvisations and their outstanding ensemble interaction.
Sinikka Langeland has composed seven major works and has released 15 solo albums, six of which are on the legendary ECM label. Folk, jazz and poetry are among her hallmarks, and she often uses lyrics by Nordic poets in her songs. She tours regularly throughout Europe, and has performed at well-known festivals including the London Jazz Festival, the Berliner Festspiele, the Tokyo Jazz Festival, the Molde International Jazz Festival and the Oslo International Church Music Festival, among others. She has also performed in the USA and in Asia, mainly in Japan, where she has toured five times.
Sinikka Langeland is an award-winning musician who has been nominated for a Spellemannpris (Norwegian Grammy) twice and has been named an ambassador for her home municipality of Grue. Among the awards she has received are the Finnskogprisen in 1996, the Edvard Prize for her recording “Runoja” and the Finnish-Norwegian Cultural Award in 2003, the Rolf Gammleng Award in 2010, the Kalevala Society Award in 2013, and the Kardemommestipendet in 2015. In 2012 she received the prestigious Sibelius Prize and in 2019 she received the NOPA Prize for “Sauna Cathedral”.

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Kåre Nordstoga (organ)

Kåre Nordstoga is considered to be one of the foremost concert organists in Europe. He made his debut in 1978 in Oslo Cathedral, where he became Assistant Organist in 1984, and taught for a time at the Norwegian Academy of Music before becoming the cathedral’s full-time Organist in 1994. Nordstoga has released several solo recordings and has participated in a number of releases. As a highly valued accompanist and soloist, he regularly collaborates with some of Norway’s best-known musicians, and is invited to give solo performances on the largest and most renowned organs in Europe. In 2016 Nordstoga was appointed by His Majesty The King of Norway as a Knight (first class) of the Royal Norwegian Order of St Olaf...
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Kåre Nordstoga is considered to be one of the foremost concert organists in Europe. He made his debut in 1978 in Oslo Cathedral, where he became Assistant Organist in 1984, and taught for a time at the Norwegian Academy of Music before becoming the cathedral’s full-time Organist in 1994. Nordstoga has released several solo recordings and has participated in a number of releases. As a highly valued accompanist and soloist, he regularly collaborates with some of Norway’s best-known musicians, and is invited to give solo performances on the largest and most renowned organs in Europe. In 2016 Nordstoga was appointed by His Majesty The King of Norway as a Knight (first class) of the Royal Norwegian Order of St Olaf for his contribution to Norwegian church music.

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Composer(s)

Sinikka Langeland (vocals)

Sinikka Langeland was born in Kirkenær, Solør, in 1961, and is one of the most distinctive folk musicians of our time. She has brought the Skogfinn (Forest Finn) culture into focus through her research, reinterpretations and presentations. She plays the kantele, the Finnish national instrument, but is also known as an interpreter of folk songs such as rune songs and kveding (a traditional vocal technique). After having discovered some folk variants of “Kyrie” and other religious folk songs, she initiated a long-term project of juxtaposing these with organ chorales and other works by Johann Sebastian Bach that are based on the same hymns. This fascinating combination has resulted in five records, and presents an entirely new musical landscape. “She sounds...
more
Sinikka Langeland was born in Kirkenær, Solør, in 1961, and is one of the most distinctive folk musicians of our time. She has brought the Skogfinn (Forest Finn) culture into focus through her research, reinterpretations and presentations. She plays the kantele, the Finnish national instrument, but is also known as an interpreter of folk songs such as rune songs and kveding (a traditional vocal technique). After having discovered some folk variants of “Kyrie” and other religious folk songs, she initiated a long-term project of juxtaposing these with organ chorales and other works by Johann Sebastian Bach that are based on the same hymns. This fascinating combination has resulted in five records, and presents an entirely new musical landscape. “She sounds like a whole orchestra with her remarkable vocal and kantele technique,” one journalist noted.
In her most recent work, “Sauna Cathedral”, she also brings two Bach chorales into her own composition, which she has arranged for her ensemble that features some of Scandinavia’s most distinctive jazz musicians. Her musicians enhance the compositions with their improvisations and their outstanding ensemble interaction.
Sinikka Langeland has composed seven major works and has released 15 solo albums, six of which are on the legendary ECM label. Folk, jazz and poetry are among her hallmarks, and she often uses lyrics by Nordic poets in her songs. She tours regularly throughout Europe, and has performed at well-known festivals including the London Jazz Festival, the Berliner Festspiele, the Tokyo Jazz Festival, the Molde International Jazz Festival and the Oslo International Church Music Festival, among others. She has also performed in the USA and in Asia, mainly in Japan, where she has toured five times.
Sinikka Langeland is an award-winning musician who has been nominated for a Spellemannpris (Norwegian Grammy) twice and has been named an ambassador for her home municipality of Grue. Among the awards she has received are the Finnskogprisen in 1996, the Edvard Prize for her recording “Runoja” and the Finnish-Norwegian Cultural Award in 2003, the Rolf Gammleng Award in 2010, the Kalevala Society Award in 2013, and the Kardemommestipendet in 2015. In 2012 she received the prestigious Sibelius Prize and in 2019 she received the NOPA Prize for “Sauna Cathedral”.

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Johann Sebastian Bach

Johann Sebastian Bach was a German composer and musician of the Baroque period. He enriched established German styles through his skill in counterpoint, harmonic and motivic organisation, and the adaptation of rhythms, forms, and textures from abroad, particularly from Italy and France. Bach's compositions include the Brandenburg Concertos, the Goldberg Variations, the Mass in B minor, two Passions, and hundreds of cantatas. His music is revered for its technical command, artistic beauty, and intellectual depth.  Bach's abilities as an organist were highly respected during his lifetime, although he was not widely recognised as a great composer until a revival of interest in and performances of his music in the first half of the 19th century. He is now generally regarded as one of the greatest composers of all time.  
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Johann Sebastian Bach was a German composer and musician of the Baroque period. He enriched established German styles through his skill in counterpoint, harmonic and motivic organisation, and the adaptation of rhythms, forms, and textures from abroad, particularly from Italy and France. Bach's compositions include the Brandenburg Concertos, the Goldberg Variations, the Mass in B minor, two Passions, and hundreds of cantatas. His music is revered for its technical command, artistic beauty, and intellectual depth.

Bach's abilities as an organist were highly respected during his lifetime, although he was not widely recognised as a great composer until a revival of interest in and performances of his music in the first half of the 19th century. He is now generally regarded as one of the greatest composers of all time.


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Press

Play album Play album
01.
Mary went to the source
01:49
(Traditional, Anne Hansdatter Hynne) Sinikka Langeland
02.
Fantasia sopra 'Christ lag in Todesbanden', BWV 718
05:30
(Johann Sebastian Bach) Kåre Nordstoga
03.
Mary cometh to the sepulchre
05:31
(Martin H. Haugsmoen, Traditional) Sinikka Langeland
04.
Concerto in G Major, BWV 592: I. Allegro
03:24
(Johann Sebastian Bach) Kåre Nordstoga
05.
Concerto in G Major, BWV 592: II. Grave / Mary and the angels
02:29
(Johann Sebastian Bach) Kåre Nordstoga, Sinikka Langeland
06.
Noli me tangere / Mary Magdalene sees Jesus
04:19
(Ingebjørg Hagen, Traditional) Sinikka Langeland
07.
Concerto in G Major, BWV 592: III. Presto
02:02
(Johann Sebastian Bach) Kåre Nordstoga
08.
Jesus shows himself to the disciples / Jesus leaves the disciples
06:15
(Martin H. Haugsmoen, Anne Hansdatter Hynne, Traditional) Sinikka Langeland
09.
Suite No. 6 in G Major, BWV 1012: I. Prélude / Mary comforts the disciples
04:11
(Johann Sebastian Bach) Lars Anders Tomter, Sinikka Langeland
10.
Suite No. 6 in G Major, BWV 1012: II. Allemande
07:57
(Johann Sebastian Bach) Lars Anders Tomter
11.
Peter and Mary
00:57
(Ola Johannesen Kolden, Traditional) Sinikka Langeland
12.
Suite No. 6 in G Major, BWV 1012: III. Courante
03:13
(Johann Sebastian Bach) Lars Anders Tomter
13.
Tell us the things that you remember
00:56
(Ola Johannesen Kolden, Traditional) Sinikka Langeland
14.
Suite No. 6 in G Major, BWV 1012: IV. Sarabande
04:01
(Johann Sebastian Bach) Lars Anders Tomter
15.
Mary’s vision
02:15
(Sinikka Langeland) Sinikka Langeland
16.
Suite No. 6 in G Major, BWV 1012: V. Gavotte I / VI. Gavotte II
03:39
(Johann Sebastian Bach) Lars Anders Tomter
17.
Suite No. 6 in G Major, BWV 1012: VII. Gigue
03:54
(Johann Sebastian Bach) Lars Anders Tomter
18.
Peter’s jealousy
03:06
(Sinikka Langeland) Sinikka Langeland
19.
Allein Gott in der Höh’ sei Ehr’, BWV 676
05:29
(Johann Sebastian Bach) Kåre Nordstoga
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