The annual Christmas concert series at Oslo Cathedral, ‘Klinge skal et jubelkor’ (A Chorus of Christmas Cheer) has long been a highlight of the pre-Christmas period in Norway’s capital city. Once every year, all of the choirs associated with the cathedral come together to perform a programme of Christmas music, from the youngest fledglings in the boys’ choir to the veteran choristers who have sung at the cathedral their whole lives. Together with brass, timpani, harp, and two organs, the choirs perform Christmas carols central to the traditions of the Church of Norway.

This recording of Oslo Cathedral’s Christmas program demonstrates that the cathedral continues to thrum with its rich musical tradition. Vivianne Sydnes, who succeeded Kvam as Artistic Director and Choirmaster of the Oslo Domkor in 2015, has brought the quality of the cathedral’s choral music to new heights. While maintaining a strong sense of tradition, Sydnes has invigorated and developed the musical activities of the cathedral.

The album begins with ‘Veni, redemptor gentium’ (‘Come, Saviour of mankind’), an ancient church hymn for Advent and Christmastide. Bringing new generations together to sing these ancient melodies is one of the finest and most meaningful things a church can do. The concert culminates triumphantly with the last verse of ‘Deilig er jorden’, where the choirs sing of the Angels’ wish for peace from Bethlehem: ‘Fred over jorden, menneske, fryd deg! Oss er en evig Frelser født’ (‘Peace on Earth, men, rejoice! Unto us a Saviour is born’).

– Kåre Nordstoga, Organist at Oslo Cathedral

Oslo Domkor (Oslo Cathedral Choir)
Vivianne Sydnes, Artistic Director and Choirmaster
Kåre Nordstoga, Organ