Many of our listeners responded so favorably to the inclusion of “Winter Songs” in the Festival, and I’m sure they’ll delight in hearing them more as we journey through the season of winter.
Gjeilo creates a journey through a wintery landscape with traditional carols, original choral works (sung by the Choir of Royal Holloway), and pieces for piano and strings (played by the composer and 12 Ensemble). Description: Sunrise Mass is a magical recording that includes compelling music by Ola Gjeilo along with several complementary selections by Duruflé, Mendelssohn, and Monik. Some pieces are inspired by women poets such as Christina Rossetti, Emily Brontë, and Hildegard Von Bingen. The crisp air, and the occasional surprise of snow can be felt in Gjeilo’s music here. A quieter time, and more contemplative, and with unique beauty. To me, it is really more a meditation on the season of winter, and how it is a period of rest and transition between Autumn and Spring. My debut album on the Decca Classics is available everywhere, including iTunes, Amazon, Google Play and Spotify. The Crossing - Ola Gjeilo, Thomas Gould, Ciaran McCabe, Jon Thorne, Matthew Sharp. “Winter Songs” is to some extent a “Christmas” album, but not exclusively. Pleni Sunt Coeli (The Ground) - Tenebrae, Ola Gjeilo, The Chamber Orchestra of London. Gjeilo’s inspiration is varied, going back to his youth: classical, jazz, film music, and also non-musical inspiration, such as architecture. One of the highlights in our recent, four-day Festival of Carols, was this new recording by Norwegian-born composer, Ola Gjeilo (YAY-lo).