Album

Although Swedish composer Elfrida Andrée's Swedish Mass No. 1 (1902) is the main event, and a handsome 1898 portrait of Andrée used for the front cover, Intim Musik's Elfrida Andrée: Svensk Mäase Nr. 1 is a survey of sacred music written especially for the Gustavi Cathedral in Gothenburg, belonging to its series Musik I Domkyrkan (Cathedral Music). The Andrée work takes up nearly half of the disc's running time, and it is certainly a beautiful work, the antithesis of the Anglican romantic masses familiar from this era. This mass has certain chilliness reminiscent of Sibelius, yet it has a lofty idealism that lifts it out of the icy wastes of its environment—it is like spring breaking out all over Sweden. Andrée's work is understated, devotional, and rather minimal in its use of instrumentation; although accompanied by strings and organ, these elements are only modestly applied, usually just to support the choruses. One would have to go to Janácek to find sacred choruses from this era that are as relaxed and unfussy as Andrée's.

As to the other material, all by Swedish composers, the disc opens with a showy, French-style Toccata by Herman Aspelöf. Contemporary Maria Löfberg also demonstrates the influence of the "countenance français" in the two choruses; however, the rhythm supporting her Hallelujah, Sjung till Herrens ära betrays the influence of rock music as well. Ljuvlig är din boning of Löfberg is a lovely piece that would be welcome in any cathedral anywhere. More traditionally minded are the two choruses by Gösta Lundberg, which are folk-like and share some commonality of approach with the music of Hugo Distler. The last composer featured is Bengt Nilsson, the organist in Gustavi Cathedral who likewise serves as organist for the whole collection. His music is the most obviously and outwardly dramatic on the disc, reflecting the "mystic" French school of Messiaen and Tournemire.

The recording, made by the Swedish Broadcasting Corporation, is a little distant and you will want to turn it up somewhat to bring it a bit closer. Gustavi Cathedral is very lucky to have such a wonderful chorus at its disposal, and it sounds terrific in the Andrée. Intim Musik's Elfrida Andrée: Svensk Mäase Nr. 1 will be of interest not only to those devoted to female composers and Swedish music, but it can also provide enjoyment to listeners with a more general interest in sacred music, particularly those who turn to it as a way to chill out.

© Uncle Dave Lewis , Rovi

CD 1
Herman Asplöf Composer Toccata, for organ Work Domkyrkokören Chorus/Choir, Göteborgs Symfoniker Orchestra, Rose-Marie Svensson Organ, Bengt Nilsson Organ, Ann-Marie Rydberg Conductor, Gustavikören Chorus/Choir
1	Toccata, for organ	4:55			$0.99
Maria Löfberg Composer Halleluja, Sjung till Herrens ära (Hallelujah, sing the praise of the Lord), for voice & organ Work Domkyrkokören Chorus/Choir, Göteborgs Symfoniker Orchestra, Rose-Marie Svensson Organ, Bengt Nilsson Organ, Ann-Marie Rydberg Conductor, Gustavikören Chorus/Choir
2	Halleluja, Sjung till Herrens ära (Hallelujah, sing the praise of the Lord), for voice & organ	3:53			$0.99
Maria Löfberg Composer Ljuvlig är din boning (Lovely is the dwelling), for women's chorus & organ Work Domkyrkokören Chorus/Choir, Göteborgs Symfoniker Orchestra, Rose-Marie Svensson Organ, Bengt Nilsson Organ, Ann-Marie Rydberg Conductor, Gustavikören Chorus/Choir
3	Ljuvlig är din boning (Lovely is the dwelling), for women's chorus & organ	4:43			$0.99
Gösta Lundborg Composer Det vackraste, for chorus Work Domkyrkokören Chorus/Choir, Göteborgs Symfoniker Orchestra, Rose-Marie Svensson Organ, Bengt Nilsson Organ, Ann-Marie Rydberg Conductor, Gustavikören Chorus/Choir
4	Det vackraste, for chorus	1:30			$0.99
Gösta Lundborg Composer Jungfru Maria till Betlehem gick (The Virgin Mary went ot Bethlehem), for choir Work Domkyrkokören Chorus/Choir, Göteborgs Symfoniker Orchestra, Rose-Marie Svensson Organ, Bengt Nilsson Organ, Ann-Marie Rydberg Conductor, Gustavikören Chorus/Choir
5	Jungfru Maria till Betlehem gick (The Virgin Mary went ot Bethlehem), for choir	1:38			$0.99
Herman Asplöf Composer Jag lyfter mina ögon upp till bergen (I raise my eyes to the mountains), for choir & organ Work Domkyrkokören Chorus/Choir, Göteborgs Symfoniker Orchestra, Rose-Marie Svensson Organ, Bengt Nilsson Organ, Ann-Marie Rydberg Conductor, Gustavikören Chorus/Choir
6	Jag lyfter mina ögon upp till bergen (I raise my eyes to the mountains), for choir & organ	1:38			$0.99
Bengt Nilsson Composer Credo, for organ Work Domkyrkokören Chorus/Choir, Göteborgs Symfoniker Orchestra, Rose-Marie Svensson Organ, Bengt Nilsson Organ, Ann-Marie Rydberg Conductor, Gustavikören Chorus/Choir
7	3.Den Helige Ande (The Holy Spirit)	8:19			$1.49
Bengt Nilsson Composer Tre Psaltarpsalmer, for organ Work 8:13 Domkyrkokören Chorus/Choir, Göteborgs Symfoniker Orchestra, Rose-Marie Svensson Organ, Bengt Nilsson Organ, Ann-Marie Rydberg Conductor, Gustavikören Chorus/Choir
8	Ostinato (Ps 3, Helig, helig, helig)	2:03			$0.99
9	Scherzo (Ps 537, Ur djupen ropar jag till dig)	4:41			$0.99
10	Fantasi (Ps 18, Allena Gud i Himmelrik)	1:29			$0.99
Elfrida Andrée Composer Svensk Mässa (Swedish Mass) No.1, for 4 voices, children's choir, choir, strings, harp & organ Work 32:48 Domkyrkokören Chorus/Choir, Göteborgs Symfoniker Orchestra, Rose-Marie Svensson Organ, Bengt Nilsson Organ, Ann-Marie Rydberg Conductor, Gustavikören Chorus/Choir
11	1.Hymn	1:34			$0.99
12	2.Gammal psalmmelodi	1:02			$0.99
13	3.Herre förbarma dig	3:25			$0.99
14	3b. Orgelsolo (kororgel)	1:26			$0.99
15	4. Ära vare Gud!	2:13			$0.99
16	4b. Orgelsolo (läktarorgel)	1:16			$0.99
17	5.Vi prisa Dig	2:03			$0.99
18	6.Bön - Herren vare med Eder	2:08			$0.99
19	7.Rytmisk koral	2:26			$0.99
20	8.Psalm - Ho är den, som trött af striden...	6:07			$0.99
21	9.Helig	2:49			$0.99
22	10.O Guds Lamm	2:16			$0.99
23	11.Tackom och lofvom	0:40			$0.99
24	12.Slutkör, Mitt fasta hopp till Herran står	3:23			$0.99