Oslo Gospel Choir, Mia Gundersen, Bjarte Hjelmeland // Lys i Mørket // CD

Oslo Gospel Choir has made a specialty of regularly supplying the nation with a charming mix of well-loved and new Christmas songs that bring us the Christmas message of peace and forgiveness. This year they have enlisted the help of Mia Gundersen and Bjarte Hjelmeland, both dear to Norwegian listeners for their expressive voices. These two singers have put their special mark on this production, with its down-to-earth and beautiful interpretation of the Christmas message. 

The theme of the CD follows the long thread from the stable in Bethlehem to the homeless of our times. It points to the light that came to earth then, and how the same light can shine in the dark surrounding us today. "Lys i mørket" is not just the name of the CD, it is also the title of a brand-new Christmas song written by Tore Aas, the conductor of Oslo Gospel Choir. This new song, together with such well-loved songs such as "Silent Night", "Nå vandrer fra hver en verdens krok" (Pilgrims to Bethlehem), "Deilig er jorden" (Beautiful Saviour) "Det lyser i stille grender" (Rise up Shepherd) are included on the CD. This year the song written by Norwegian artists Ole Paus and Jonas Fjeld "Engler i sneen" (Angels in the Snow) has also been included. This also applies to "Romjulsdrøm" (Mid-Christmas Dream) with lyrics by Alf Prøysen, "I den kalde vinter" (A Christmas Carol – In the Bleak Winter), an old English Christmas carol translated by Kari Bremnes, "Himlen i min favn" (Heaven in my Bosom) by Carola Häggquist and Erik Hillestad, and "Mariavise" (Mary's Song) by Hans Olav Mørk and Tore Aas. Tore Aas is also the arranger and producer of the CD. 

In addition to the choir and the soloists, the orchestra features Torjus Vierli (piano), Bernt Rune Stray (guitar), Jonny Sjo (drums), Karl Oluf Wennerberg (drums) and thirteen string players.

Track list:

1. Lys i Mørket                                               4:34

2. Deilig er jorden                                         3:47

3. Nå vandrer fra hver en verdens krok      3:51

4. Engler i sneen                                           3:56

5. Det lyser i stille grender                           3:37

6. Mariavise                                                   4:23

7. I den kalde vinter                                       5:02

8. Himlen i min favn                                      5:28

9. Det kimer nå til julefest                            3:14

10. Romjulsdrøm                                           4:41

11. Glade jul                                                   4:32

12. Joy to the world                                      5:11