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Solvguttene is Norwegian for "Boys of Silver," a group that has been pleasing international audiences since 1940. Consisting of 65 boys (ages 8-15) and 25 adult males (all former youth members), this is the Norwegian Broadcasting Boys' Choir, a national treasure that has become synonymous with "Christmas" in Scandinavia. Their Julemesse: Missa in Nativitate Domini is a classical jewel, o'erbrimming with the clean, high sounds that only a boys' choir can properly achieve. When you see the young boys clad in sailor tunics on the album's front cover, you can imagine the innocence and purity of heaven on earth. It's just that kind of offering.

The "Boys of Silver" are not alone. They have organ accompaniment (Kare Nordstoga), including an extended lead-in on the fourth track (In nativitate Domini). In fact, the capable organ prelude is so extensive that I thought this cut must be all-instrumental, but that is not the case. The organ does, however, stand alone on Deilig er jorden (track 19), a lengthy excursion (5 minutes) into majestic improvisations. Ellen Sejersted Bodtker also contributes a rich harp framework (on Et lite barn sa lystelig, for example) and a fantastical fairyworld on the instrumental Julefantasi. As a hard-core a cappella fan, I must confess my bias for the unadorned vocals on this offering.

Solvguttene's rendition of Es ist ein Ros' entsprungen is a spiritual experience. The harmonies are spot-on, and the outstanding church acoustics create an ethereal wonder--heavenly!

These "Boys of Silver" do Norway proud on Julemesse. Even the packaging is something special; the liner notes (mostly in Norwegian) are extensive, and the unusual jewel case has enhanced hinges and nice access to the disc itself. The whole package is a classical holiday delight!

--Carol Swanson
(Reviewed in 2009)

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From the Liner Notes:

For many Norwegians, Solvguttene is synonymous with Christmas, but for us, Christmas is synonymous with Solvguttene.

Conductor: Fredrik Otterstad (began as a young boy in the choir in 1985)
Harp: Ellen Sejersted Bodtker
Organ: Kare Nordstoga

Recorded at Uranienborg Church and Oslo Cathedral (February 2006)

From the Website:

Sølvguttene - Boys of Silver - was founded by Torstein Grythe in June, 1940. The choir had its first rehearsals in his apartment in Oslo, but were soon offered to rehearse in Norwegian Broadcasting's (NRK) facilities. The thought was that the choir would be permanently linked to NRK, and the first radio performance was held in December 1940. Conditions during the German occupation soon made it impossible to continue the cooperation with NRK, and the choir was for the remainder of the war years managed by the founder/conductor. Sølvguttene got its name primarily because of the shiny, silvery uniforms that were acquired in the beginning (for lack of other, more subtle materials). Later the name has been attributed to the special sound and clarity of boys voices, voices of silver.

Sølvguttene - Norwegian Broadcasting Boys' Choir - comprises 65 boys aged 8 to 15, and 25 adult male singers, all of whom have previously been boy singers. Additionally, 25 boys aged 7-9 are training to be qualified for the concert choir.
The choir will normally comprise around 60 singers on international tours. Sølvguttene is widely recognized to be among the best boys' choirs in the world, with its emphasis on sound more than technical perfection.

NRK started its own boys' choir in 1947, and Torstein Grythe was hired as conductor in 1951. The two choirs existed in parallel until the early 60's, when a natural merge took place. In 1970 the choir won its class in BBC's Let the People Sing contest.

Since then, the choir has been an extremely popular institution in Norway, with its many performances on radio and television, in addition to concerts all over the land. The choir has toured internationally, and has frequently visited other Scandinavian and central European countries. Sølvguttene has visited USA and the former Soviet Union on several occasions.

***

The main challenge for a boys' choir is recruitment of new singers to replace the ones that so suddenly lose their ability between the age of 13 and 16, when their voices normally change. Boys are recruited from all over the greater Oslo area, with some of the boys travelling up to 100 kms each way to participate in the twice weekly rehearsals.

A stable, good boys' choir with the special sound that only boys can provide, is really quite a miracle. But it is this sound that makes people mesmerized again and again by the song ot Sølvguttene.

Solvguttene

Julemesse: Missa in Nativitate Domini

Artist link

Track List