Opheim, Tillung, Økland, Brunborg and Eilertsen revitalize beautiful and forgotten folk tunes and Christmas hymns on “Helgasong”.
“Helgasong” is a revitalization of religious folk tunes from Voss, Hardanger, Eksingedalen, and Øygarden. These Christmas hymns have been sung in Norway for hundreds of years, presented here in local variants with new arrangements. The older song tradition forms the backdrop—an individual voice singing alone, or harmonized voices in old homes. Hymn texts that have held significant meaning for many, and therefore still remain today. “In deepest darkness, the sky becomes clear,” begins the second verse of “Now come God’s angels with greetings from the sky,” written by Elias Blix. These Advent and Christmas hymns tell us of the light being reborn each Advent and Christmas, at the Winter Solstice, when it is darkest in the north. Berit Opheim explains:
– The background story is a desire to highlight and share local folk tunes in Christmas hymns as part of Norway’s song tradition. Over the past couple of years, we’ve discovered several folk tunes in older notations, including those transcribed by Olav Sande. Beautiful melodies that are a joy to sing and to bring forward in new arrangements.
Some of these folk tunes haven’t been used in decades, making it an even greater pleasure to bring them out of dormancy. The ensemble includes Irene Tillung (accordion), Mats Eilertsen (double bass), Nils Økland (fiddles), Tore Brunborg (saxophone), and Berit Opheim (vocals). All the arrangements were collaboratively developed by the musicians, and the recording took place in August 2024 at Raundalskyrkja in Voss. Opheim continues:
– The recording process was very positive, with good days and a warm atmosphere in a room with rich acoustics, in the wooden church in Raundalen, Voss. The instrumentation was chosen based on the expression we wanted for the different songs, and to create variety on the album. The arrangements are largely collaborative, with much of the music being improvised.
The concert tour for Helgasong begins on December 15 in Ål Church, followed by performances in Kabuso, Øystese on 16.12, Mariakirken, Bergen on 17.12, Vangskyrkja, Voss on 18.12, and two concerts on 19.12 in Eksingedalen Church and Dale Church.
Berit Opheim emphasizes the central message, concluding:
– Regardless of what one believes, or what one finds in the texts, or likes, many people experience a sense of community and belonging when Christmas hymns are performed, especially when they participate in the singing. Singing often creates a strong sense of togetherness. We hope to convey the closeness in these hymns, which have been so important to many for centuries. Intimacy, tenderness, grandeur, joy, and light—the hymns
