wnyc.org / 93.9fm / am 820

For this New Sounds, sample vocal works by the Norwegian singer/songpoet Synnøve Rognlien, some with Gregorian chant and flamenco singing.  Also, listen to Anne-Lise Berntsen & Nils-Henrik Asheim, who combine Norwegian religious folksong and organ improvisation.  Then there’s Gaelic soprano Nóirín Ní Riain and the monks of the Glenstal Abbey who recreate the medieval liturgy’s choral masterworks; hymns, laments, carols, and prayers.  Plus music from Trio Mediaeval, Hildegard von Bingen, and more.

For this New Sounds, we'll be treated to "Nordic introspection, Andalusian mysticism and Arabic hues" (-Dan Ouellette, Billboard.com), courtesy of Norwegian pianist and composer Jon Balke.  With Moroccan Amina Alaoui on vocals, Kheir-Eddine M'Kachiche from Algeria on violin, further accompanied by a couple of jazz musicians and a string ensemble, the music reaches back to the Baroque, but sounds well-traveled and trans-cultural. 

Hear some links in a musical chain by way of a series of recordings linked by shared personnel.  We'll start with John Surman's "Sunday Morning," and hear percussionist Pierre Favre's "Mort d’Eurydice."  We'll continue on with Michel Godard & Monks of Liguge Abbey, "Repons," and then there's music from the lauded recording "Officium" by Hilliard Ensemble & Jan Garbarek, possibly even more.

Hear music by the young American composer Eric Whitacre, some dazzling unaccompanied vocal writing from his record "Cloudburst" on this New Sounds.