Norwegian mezzo-soprano Hege Høisæter has officially unveiled her latest project, Himmelskygge, a meticulously curated collection that serves as a testament to the vibrant and evolving landscape of Norwegian contemporary song. Released via LAWO Classics, the album marks an ambitious chapter in Høisæter’s career, uniting a diverse cohort of performers and composers to explore the intersection of classical tradition, electronic innovation, and improvisational artistry.
The release functions as a sophisticated dialogue between generations, capturing the intellectual and emotional vitality of modern Nordic musical expression. At the core of the album lies The Drift, a compelling song cycle composed by Kari Telstad Sundet. Utilizing texts by Emily Dickinson, the work masterfully integrates acoustic instrumentation with electronic textures and expressive vocal delivery to create a deeply immersive experience.
Sundet, who serves as both composer and performer, infuses the project with a distinct sonic identity that underscores the collaborative spirit defining the release. The programme offers a wide-ranging journey through contemporary sound. It commences with Olav Anton Thommessen’s dramatic work, Cosima minnes, which serves as a potent reimagining of Wagnerian motifs.
This is balanced by the lyrical exploration of Norwegian poetry through the works of Carl Gustav Sparre Olsen. Further pushing genre boundaries, the jazz ensemble Tov a Vot—comprising Vetle Nærø, Theis Jakob, and Ola Grindbakken—contributes the Two Dystopian Songs. Their participation, both as performers and composers, provides a necessary, genre-defying perspective that challenges traditional vocal performance.
The record ultimately concludes with Gisle Kverndokk’s transcendent Ave Verum, providing a reflective terminus to a highly experimental programme. By facilitating a space where established classical composers and emerging experimental voices converge, Høisæter has crafted an essential document of the current Norwegian musical zeitgeist.
Himmelskygge stands as an invitation to listeners to engage with a world of emotive depth and rigorous artistic innovation, showcasing the expansive versatility of the contemporary mezzo-soprano repertoire in a global context.
