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Comfort and joy. Those two words come to mind immediately while listening to Anne Sofie von Otter's new recording, "Noel," a collection of diverse carols and songs for the Christmas season. Von Otter and pianist Bengt Forsberg are veteran performers who've recorded several Scandinavian recitals together. Because these two musicians are experts technically, they can concentrate fully on both the essence of the music and the meaning of the words, creating many memorable experiences for their listeners.

The first track, "Jul, jul, stradlande jul" (Yule, yule, sparkling yule) by Gustaf Nordqvist, sets the tone for this recording. While the opening verse celebrates the joy of Christmas through images of nature, the second verse is a comforting prayer for peace. This Swedish classic is often performed in a choral version, but Anne Sofie von Otter and Bengt Forsberg express its meaning with tender beauty in its original setting for voice and piano. 

In addition to the seven Scandinavian songs, there are many carols from around the world on this new release. English composer Roger Quilter was known for his numerous songs. Von Otter sings of baby Jesus's humble birth in Quilter's "Cradle in Bethlehem."  Like any good storyteller, von Otter delivers a lilting interpretation that is so convincing I find myself hanging on her every word.

Roger Quilter's English contemporary, Michael Head, was also a prolific songwriter. His carol "The Three Mummers" starts as an old tune about Christ's birth. The key and the mood change when the story shifts to the tale of three mummers, another word for traveling musicians. After they're welcomed into a humble home and treated with special care, it's revealed that these mummers may very well be Joseph, Mary and the Christ child.

Anne Sofie von Otter performs with such comfort and ease that listening to her pure mezzo-soprano voice is very gratifying. On this recording, her delicate lullabies are her specialty. "Mary's Cradle Song" is a popular carol from a collection of 60 songs written by German composer Max Reger. Von Otter sings so softly and with such gentle tenderness, you'll want to listen very intently to hear her loving approach.

Seven piano solo pieces provide subtle bridges between the carols--21 in all--on this new Christmas recording. Three of the piano pieces are based on works by J.S. Bach. My favorite is Percy Grainger's "Blithe Bells," which includes what he called "a ramble" on the soprano aria "Sheep may safely graze" from Bach's "Hunting" Cantata, BWV 208. The familiar theme is stretched and pulled, and gracefully articulated by pianist Bengt Forsberg. 

If you'd like to slip away from the holiday frenzy for a while, curl up with this new Christmas recording, "Noel" and feel the peace flow over you.  Mezzo-soprano Anne Sofie von Otter and pianist Bengt Forsberg give an effortless performance on this CD, as they reveal the many stories and, maybe, the true spirit of Christmas.

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Julie Amacher

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Comfort and joy. Those two words come immediately to Julie Amacher's mind while listening to Anne Sofie von Otter's new recording, "Noel," a collection of diverse carols and songs for the Christmas season.

The spirit of Christmas in the voice of a soprano

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