Tuvayhun: Beatitudes for a Wounded World

Kim André Arnesen (b. 1980) is the man behind "Tuvayhun" - an all-evening choral work that deals with a wounded earth - in every respect. And the idea of ​​including different sounds and tones from parts of the world is good. 

"Tuvayhun" is big - in many ways. It is 80 minutes long, is thoroughly worked out, and has a number of good and important textual contributions that Charles Anthony Silvestri has penned. And it is largely the religious aspect that characterizes the work. 

Now "Tuvayhun" could become a political work - a work that could take a firm hold of both the world's leaders, religion and people's addictive "give-a-little-the-blow attitude". This could have ruffled the soul of the listener a little, but instead the undersigned finds it a little too beautiful - a little too mournful - a little too polished and with perhaps a little too much weight placed on the inspiration from folk tunes around. Yes, even the recognizable opening theme from "Welcome To The Era" is registered in "Rakel's Song". Nevertheless - we can immediately hear that this is Arnesen's world of music - music that many embrace - but this work is not directly innovative.

Having said that, a bunch of flowers go to the actors. Nidaros Cathedral’s Girls’ Choir is perfect in the soundscape created by the composer. The Trondheim Soloists are solid fellow players and the work's soloists do absolutely nothing to shame the finished result.

It is Anita Brevik who leads it all and, as usual, the sound produced by Morten Lindberg & Co. is of the highest order (it is conceivable that a new Grammy nomination awaits).

Every time a new recording from the company 2L appears, it's something like a holiday at home. Why? Because I know that it is quality that is served - whatever the genre. The masterpiece "Tuvayhun" is certainly no exception.

No matter how much we disagree, I think most people agree that we live on and are part of a wounded globe. It has been a very long time since our dear globe has been as fragile as it is today. At the same time, we can also agree that the same globe is a wonderful place - a place that we must take care of in many ways, both for ourselves, but not least for those who come after us.

Phrasing? Possibly so, but no less true and important for that reason. Can music be involved in this process? Simply put and as Gard Nilssen says to boredom: Music is the healing force of the universe.

Composer Kim André Arnesen's (41) composition can certainly help ensure a good contribution in this respect. He has written exceptionally beautiful and magnificent music to texts by Charles Anthony Silvestri, which the Grammy winners in Nidaros Cathedral's Girls' Choir together with the brilliant Trondheim Soloists interpret in a way that makes the sensory apparatus and emotions respond in a heartfelt way.

When such soloists as Kirsti Huke and Mohammed Al-Majzoub on vocals, Hans Fredrik Jacobsen on flutes, Hans-Kristian Kjos Sørensen on cimbalon, Ruth Potter on harp and Carl Haakon Waadeland and Espen Aalberg on percussion are there and give it all a lovely spice just right where needed, this has become nothing less than a masterpiece of almost 80 minutes.

Nidaros Cathedral's Girls' Choir and sound maestro Morten Lindberg has previously won a Grammy for the recording "Lux". A new candidate has definitely appeared here. "Tuvayhun" sounds big and great in every way.