Kim André Arnesen (b. 1980)
Tuvayhun — Beatitudes for a Wounded World
Kirsti Huke, Mohammed Al-Majzoub (vocals)
Hans Fredrik Jacobsen (flutes)
Hans-Kristian Kjos Sørensen (cimbalom)
Ruth Potter (harp)
Espen Aalberg, Carl Haakon Waadeland (percussion)
TrondheimSolistene & Nidarosdomens jentekor/Anita Brevik
rec. 2020/2021, Nidaros Cathedral, Trondheim, Norway
2L 2L-171-SABD SACD/BD-A [79]
Kim André Arnesen has previously been introduced on MWI with his Naxos album Infinity (review), which was compared as “reminiscent of the Americans Morten Lauridsen and Eric Whitacre, but also of John Rutter and Herbert Howells” by reviewer Stuart Sillitoe. With TUVAYHUN Arnesen blends eastern musical influences with something of the devotional atmosphere of Arvo Pärt, while certainly retaining some of Rutter’s romanticism in places.
The introduction text to this album is quite comprehensive when it comes to the message in this music: “Our world is wounded. All around us we see the cracks: the effects of environmental crisis, mass migrations, global pandemic, political polarization, growing income inequality, the rise of authoritarian regimes, unprecedented social change, and reticence or resignation on the part of many to do anything about any of it. And yet, our world is also a place of wondrous beauty, a beauty that surrounds us if we have eyes to see it... In TUVAYHUN—Beatitudes for a Wounded World we seek to address this fragility, and the part we are called to play in healing it.”
Based on the Beatitudes from Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount and with all sung texts included in the booklet, this music moves “from semi-liturgical chant to lively folk dance, from rich orchestral layers to stark solos, from the familiar to the exotic, and back again.” There is a unifying effect in this eclectic mix, which has an immediate appeal – if you like that sort of thing. The ‘thing’ in this case veers at times towards Andrew Lloyd Webber musical melodic catchiness, with plenty of cinematic grandeur and numerous evocations of mystery and vastness, though never quite with the memorable ear-worm quality of something like that famous theme from the film Titanic, even with an abundance of comparably folksy-sweet flute lines.
With spectacular sound and plenty of magical moments along the way, the only other downside for me is the half-half nature of the album as a whole – neither ‘pop’ with truly distinctive tracks, or ‘classical’ with a narrative arc that hits the kind of climactic moments that make you want to return for renewed catharsis. This need not be a problem, but with each movement having a character connected to one or other of its brethren, once you’ve heard about 25% of the album you’ve pretty much heard it all. My own musical tastes gravitate in general towards more grit and less cheese with the mood sailing close to sentimentality here and there, but even with all this said I would hate to put anyone off from exploring this excellent recording and its well-crafted communication of positivity and hope.
One thing you can be sure of with the 2L label is sublime recording quality, and Morten Lindberg certainly manages this complex balance between disparate instruments, solo voices and choruses with a perfect ear for resonance and detail. Your woofers will enjoy the low gongs, and your ears will revel in those contrasts between more static passages, gorgeously lyrical songs and vibrant dance sections. It’s worth turning up the volume for this one, and the hard-copy package includes both a SACD hybrid disc and Bluray version for the total immersion effect in which this label specialises. The spatial set-up for the recording is also illustrated in the colourful booklet for this release.
The booklet text ends on a thought-provoking point: “One might think that each of the eight verses in the Beatitudes concerns a different group of people: the poor in spirit, the meek, the peacemakers, the merciful. However, these are not eight different groups of people, but instead are eight moral qualities that all of us can possess. We are all in need of these blessings, and we are all called to act as the agents of blessing.” As a musical expression of such views TUVAYHUN is certainly an effective and well-produced vehicle.
Dominy Clements
Contents
The Poor in Spirit
I am Poor
Forty Days and Forty Nights
The Peacemaker
What is Peace?
The Meek
Rachel’s Song
The Pure in Heart
The Face of God
I Hope
Those Who Mourn
Song for a Lily
Those Who Hunger and Thirst for Righteousness
Song for Justice
Those Who Are Persecuted For Righteousness’ Sake
Hold My Hand
You are the Light