Northern Lights #2119
. . . a return visit with James D. Hicks whose fascination with Scandinavian composers knows no bounds.
Hour One
HILDIGUNNUR RÚNARSDÓTTIR: Fantasia un Island, farsaelda Frön. SIGURÖUR SAEVARSSON: Heaven’s Maker (1992 Klais/Hallgrimskirkja, Reykijavik, Iceland) Pro Organo 7287 (Nordic Journey Volume 8)
KJELL MØRK KARLSEN: Hymn for St. Olaf –Arnulf Johansen, oboe; Ola Linbeth, violin (2015 Torkildsen/Nidaros Cathedral). SVEN-INGVART MIKKELSEN: Variations & Fugue on a Danish Folk Tune (1741 Wagner/Nidaros Cathedral). FREDRIK SIXTEN: Divinity, fr Aurora Borealis Symphony –Helena Ek, soprano (1930 Steinmeyer-2014 Kuhn/Nidaros Cathedral, Trondheim, Norway) Pro Organo 7285 (Nordic Journey Volume 7)
Filler – KARLSEN: Hymn for St. Olaf (see above)
Hour Two
MAURI VIITALA: Toccata. ARMAS MAASALO: In memoriam Eino Leino, Op. 26, no. 2 (1980 Virtanen/Turku Cathedral). HARRI VIITANEN: Gigue Fugue. JACK MATTSSON: Dialogue (2002 Grönlunds/St. Michael’s Church, Turku, Finland) Pro Organo 7279 (Nordic Journey Volume 6)
NILS LINDBERG: Marching Tune. SIXTEN: Tango. PÁLL ISÓLFSSON: Chaconne in the Dorian Mode (2013 Tostared/Kalmar Cathedral, Sweden) Pro Organo 7271 (Nordic Journey Volume 5)
CHRISTIAN PRAESTHOLM: Fantasia on the Bridal Dance from Søonderho (1994 Andersen/St. Morten’s Church, Randers, Denmark) Pro Organo 7292 (Nordic Journey Volume 10)
Filler – SAEVARSSON: Heaven’s maker (see above)
What began as a curiosity about Scandinavian music has evolved during ‘retirement’ into a monumental undertaking, including first recordings of previously unpublished scores and new music commissions. Thus far James D. Hicks has recorded ten volumes in his Nordic Journey series (16 CDs issued by Pro Organo, with supporting YouTube videos) and more adventures await. Thanks to irrepressible audio/video engineer and producer Frederick Hohman of Pro Organo for his yeoman labors ‘in the field’.
Continuing support of PIPEDREAMS is provided in loving memory of Wesley and Lucinda Dudley by their family, with additional support from Walter McCarthy, Clara Ueland, and the Greystone Foundation, by Jan Kirchner on behalf of her family foundation, by the Art and Martha Kaemmer Fund of the HRK Foundation, in celebration of the life of Martha Hulings Kaemmer, and by listener-contributors to this public radio station. Additional support comes from Andover Organ Company of Methuen, MA, and Bedient Pipe Organ Company of Roca, NE, members of APOBA, the Associated Pipe Organ Builders of America, a collaborative of designers, creators, and maintainers of pipe organs found in religious and educational institutions, concert halls, and residences throughout the United States and beyond. An APOBA resource guide and member prospectus is available at APOBA.COM.
