Christmas Songs - Trygve & Andreas Utnem Seim - Audio CD (Arrives in 50 days)

World-famous Jazz saxophonist Trygve Seim (who has released 22 albums on the prestigious German record label ECM Records) and pianist Andreas Utnem (also known due to his work with fiddler Gjermund Larsen and as composer of music for theatre and tv-series) have played together for over 20 years. “Christmas Songs” is their second duo album, consisting of improvisations around well-known Christmas songs. The songs come out as highly sincere and poetic, sometimes even mystical. Recorded in the ‘Toyenkirka’-church, the quality of the recording makes you feel that you’re in the church when you listen to the album, the sound of the room and the acoustics channelling true Christmas spirit. Andreas Utnem has worked as an organist at the church in Oslo since 1996. In the 90’s he invited Seim to play with him at a service, improvising around familiar hymns, besides playing his own and Seim’s compositions. Throughout the years, Trygve has continued to contribute at the services from time to time, as a result they released their first duo album in 2008 (“Purcor” - also on ECM), made up of improvised hymns and their own compositions. Through years of playing together, the duo has developed a unique sound, putting the melody in the centre, and improvising around them in the most attentive and interactive way. Focusing on the melody has been the most important part of this project, wanting to explore the simplicity of the Christmas melodies and the Christmas spirit, finding that it can move and be deeply felt. The tunes come from all over the world and are often of old origin, this variety has been one of the key elements to why they were chosen for the project.

Tracklist

1. Personent Hodie
2. Det Kimer Na Til Julefest
3. No Koma Guds Englar
4. The Infant King
5. Veni, Veni, Emmanuel
6. Deilig Er Jorden
7. Still, Still, Still
8. Mitt Hjerte Alltid Vanker
9. Joy To the World
10. Silent Night
11. Saele Jolekveld

Label: Grappa | Origin: Holland