The melodies on this album are taken from a hand written chorale book, signed by farmer and organist Ole Henrichsen Rognstad (1757-1839) from Balke, a rural community in Eastern Toten, Norway. Rognstad?s chorale melodies are more or less distinctibe variants of melodies from diverse European sources. So let us imagine that we are in the farm of Rognstad in Balke in the 1700s, celebrating Christmas. We hear a harpsichord, viola d?amore, cittern and a hammered dulcimer, using the chorale book of the owner of the farm singing and playing the chorales: Christmas in Balke! Interpretations of these melodies and arrangements are by Myhren and Johansen, recorded in the old Balke church. With text and lyrics in Norwegian and English.
Tracks:
1. Guds Godhet ville vi priise (Come, Let Us All, With Fervour)
2. Fra Himmelen h?jt komme vi nu her (From Heaven High I Come To You)
3. Let The Voice Of Praise Resound
4. Paa Jorden Fred og Gl?de (On Earth Peace And Pleasure)
5. Alle Ting er underfulde (All Things Are Wondrous)
6. Maria hun er en Jomfru reen (Maria She Is A Virgin Pure)
7. Et Barn er f?dt i Bethlehem (A Child Is Born In Bethlehem)
8. Herre Christ Gud Faders enbaarne (Lord Christ, The Only Son of God)
9. Mit Hierte altid vanker (My Heart Always Lingers)
10. Lovet v?re du Jesu Christ (Praise Be To You, Jesus Christ)
