Sinikka Langeland, Lars Anders Tomter & Kåre Nordstoga - Maria Magdalena (2021) [Official Digital Download 24/96]

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 father, 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.

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


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