[ Decca / CD ]
Release Date: Sunday 15 May 2016
A rising composer's debut release on a major label, Gjeilo's album on Decca is an important release of heavenly, bewitching, eternal new choral music for our time. Ethereal yet tangible, this is music with wide appeal; music of purity and beauty; music at once restful and uplifting.
Composer Ola Gjeilo draws on influences from his Nordic background to conjure modern choral music of exceptional beauty. Radiant vocal textures are enhanced by transcendental instrumental additions; a twinkling piano performed by Ola himself; captivating, exquisite strings; and bewitching acoustic guitar.
Ethereal yet tangible, this is music with wide appeal; music of purity and beauty; music at once restful and uplifting.
Gjeilo - pronounced "Yay-lo" - has evolved a musical style which is at once contemporary and familiar. His concentrated harmonies and rich textures combined with graceful, engaging melody, contain echoes of Morten Lauridsen, Eric Whitacre, and the best luscious film scores.
Influenced by improvisers, along with composers such as John Adams, Desplat, Newman, Marinelli, Williams, Elgar, Vaughan-Williams and Tavener, Ola describes his music as "a lyrical mix of improvisation and classical", and others often describe it as "cinematic… evocative, lush, story-telling…
"Whichever way you look at it, the music is exceptionally engaging and non-threatening while at the same time alluring and enticing in a very subtle manner. If your blood pressure is high, this might be the ticket. The performers are top-notch. Nicely done, and well worth considering." (AudAud.com)
Ubi caritas
Ola Gjeilo (piano)
Voces 8
The Spheres
Tenebrae, Chamber Orchestra of London
The Ground
Tenebrae, Chamber Orchestra of London
Sanctus: London
Tenebrae
The Crossing
Ola Gjeilo (piano). Thomas Gould (violin), Ciaran McCabe (violin), Jon Thorne (viola), Matthew
Sharp (cello)
Northern Lights
Voces 8
The Lake Isle
Ola Gjeilo (piano), Thomas Gould (violin), Ciaran McCabe (violin), Jon Thorne (viola), Matthew Sharp (cello)
Tenebrae
Serenity
Tenebrae
Tundra
Ola Gjeilo (piano), Thomas Gould (violin), Ciaran McCabe (violin), Jon Thorne (viola), Matthew Sharp (cello)
Tenebrae
Reflections
Ola Gjeilo (piano), Thomas Gould (violin), Ciaran McCabe (violin), Jon Thorne (viola), Matthew Sharp (cello)
Sacred Heart
Ben Hancox (violin), Hannah Dawson (violin), Simone van der Giessen (viola), Matthew Sharp (cello)
Voces 8