Across the Bridge of Hope

[…] Sången inleder den nya Cd:n, som Erik Westbergs Vokalensemble nu kommit ut med och i vilken den bevisar sin höga nivå. Kören har satt ribban högt motsvarar också de höga ambitionerna och förväntningarna. Med hjälp av det goda röstmaterialet har Erik Westberg skapat ett instrument som i intonation, homogenitet, böjlighet, dynamik och gestaltningsförmåga ligger på absolut högsta toppnivå. Norrbotten är att gratulera till denna utsökta ensemble.
Norrbottens-Kuriren

---

A choir could be said to be the ultimate example of different people working together in harmony to create a thing of beauty. The advent of the millennium and its themesong of Hope which was sung around the world has been the inspiration behind the idea of this choral record with a difference. As you will hear, Oscar Lindberg's ”Pingst” (Pentecost) and the hymns of Otto Olsson can be heard along with the more rhythmic ”Claviante Brilioso” of Thomas Jennefelt. ln addition we also hear an example of the indigenous music of Lapland, ”Biegga Luohte” with its barking dogs, animal calls and birdsongs.

Anders Åstrand from Global Percussion Network, perhaps Sweden's most outstanding percussionists, adds an additional facet to this jewel of a record. This album is a musical adventure, as much for the musicians as for the listener but this isn't the first time Opus 3 has got off the beaten path. Some pieces require only a few minutes in order to surprise you. That's the case of "Bagatelle", superb, with accompaniment by marimba and vibraphone. "Psalmus CXX" and "Rex Gloriose Martyrum" are both sacred songs masterfully rendered by warm-voiced chorale. And if you love percussion, track 4 is definitely for you. Don´t refuse the invitation to discovery with superb SACD multitrack sound by Jan-Eric Persson.
U H F Magazine, Canada

---