The Erik Westberg Vocal Ensemble – A Star Is Shining (SACD hibrid multicanal)

Although “A Star Is Shining” is presented as a “Christmas album,” it is not purely a Christmas album: the original idea was to release one, but with less common, often overlooked compositions. In addition, the album features a number of songs that can be associated with the Christmas season in terms of emotion and mood. Erik Westberg has thus succeeded in recording a “popular” program with a few “extra spices,” and “A Star Is Shining” is not a pure a cappella album! This Opus 3 Records production once again features a number of top-class and well-known label artists: Mattias Wager on the organ, two members of the Global Percussion Network, a number of soloists, and one of Sweden’s best key fiddle players.

The outstanding Multichannel Hybrid SACD from Opus 3 Records contains a booklet with detailed information about the recording technology and microphones used.

MUSICIANS: Choir: The Erik Westberg Vocal Ensemble / Conductor: Erik Westberg / Mattias Wager: organ / Maja Lundbäck: soprano vocals / Anders Åstrand: percussion / Daniel Saur: percussion

Opus 3 is an independent Swedish music label dedicated to recording timeless acoustic music such as jazz, blues, folk and classical. Founded in late 1976 by sound engineer Jan-Eric Persson, the label has made it its mission to reproduce voices and instruments as naturally as possible. To achieve this, Opus 3 selects recording environments with good natural. The label’s recording techniques were developed specifically for acoustic music and were originally based on the use of tube gear and “Blumlein” miking. In 2001, Opus 3 switched to digital eight-track technology and later to 16 channels – in the brand-new mixing and mastering studio designed and set up by Sweden’s leading acoustic engineer Lennart Nilsson to mark the label’s 30th anniversary. Apart from a few digital intermediate steps all processing is still done exclusively analog.

We recommend the use of „L’Art du Son” CD/DVD conditioner for even more sonic improvement.

Lista pieselor

1. Nativity Carol

2. Gabriel’s Message

3. Gammal Julvisa

4. Bereden Vag For Herran/In Dulci Jubilo

5. O Magnum Mysterium

6. Den Signade Dag (The Blessed Day)

7. Det Brinner En Starna (A Star Is Shining)

8. Betlehems Starna

9. Det Brinner En Starna

10. Jul, Jul, Stralande Jul (Christmas, Radiant Christmas)

11. Candlelight Carol

12. Christmas Cradle Song 

13. Det Ar En Ros Utsprungen (Lo, How A Rose E’er Blooming, for solo quartet)

14. Det Ar En Ros Utsprungen (Lo, How A Rose E’er Blooming, for soprano solo & key fiddle)

15. Forunderligt Och Markligt (Strange It Is To Say)

16. Es Ist En Ros Entsprungen (Lo, How A Rose E’er Blooming)

17. Stilla Natt (Silent Night)