The Erik Westberg Vocal Ensemble – Across The Bridge Of Hope (SACD hibrid multicanal)

Following the surprise success of “Musica Sacra”, his first release on Opus 3 Records, Erik Westberg presents a slightly modified concept on his new album: instead of a soprano saxophone and an organ, he uses the nyckelharpa, a Swedish fiddle strung with steel strings. In addition to a choir and vocal soloists, members of Anders Ärstrand’s Global Percussion Network also participate. The title song, “Across The Bridge Of Hope,” was premiered during Advent 2000 in memory of 12-year-old Shawn McLaughlin by more than 8,000 choir singers in 310 different choirs from 56 nations. Shawn McLaughlin, who had written the poem of the same name, “Across The Bridge Of Hope,” with some friends after the so-called “Good Friday Agreement” in 1998 in Northern Ireland, was killed just a few months later, along with 29 other victims, in a bomb attack in Omagh.

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 / Anders Åstrand: ceremonial drum, vibraphone, udu, log drums, marimba, cymbal / Alexander Lintott: treble vocals / Torbjörn Näsbom: key fiddle / Anna-Karin Öquist: soprano vocals
/ Rolf Landberg: bass drum, tom tom, cymbal, crotales / John Best: gong, steel drums, marimba / Fredrik Dermer: octabans, crotales, log drums, Glockenspiel / Anders Eriksson: tenor & baritone vocals

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. Jan Sandström: Across The Bridge Of Hope

2. Lars Näsbom: Kyrkpolska

3. Thomas Jennefelt: Claviante Brilioso

4. Anders Åstrand: Touch

5. Eskil Hemberg: Thou Who Art Over Us

6. Oskar Lindberg (1887-1955): Pingst

7. Johan Märak Biegga Louhte (Introduction)

8. Jan Sandstrom: Biegga Louhte

9. Jan Ferm: I Carry Your Heart

10. Jan Ferm: I Carry Your Heart

11. Johannes Johansson: Cherubim Hymn

12. Jan Sandström: Surge Aquilo

13. Anders Åstrand: Bagatell

14. Otto Olsson (1879-1964): “Psalmus CXX”

15. Otto Olsson: “Canticum Simeonis”

16. Otto Olsson: “Rex Gloriose Martyrum”