O Listen to the Music of Uros Krek and Else Marie Pade from the internationally acclaimed, multi-award-winning Danish National Vocal Ensemble marks an extraordinary milestone in the choir’s history with the appointment of their new Chief Conductor, Martina Batič, and it was clear from the very beginning there was a special connection between her and the choir’s singers!

For her OUR Recordings debut, maestra Martina Batič has chosen the works of two composers, both of whom may well come as revelations to music lovers. Opening the album is a selection of works from one of the musical heroes of her homeland, the Slovenian composer Uroš Krek. Highly regarded in his homeland, Krek’s stylistically accessible, well-crafted music is seldom heard internationally, making this musical encounter particularly valuable. A fluid pan-tonality informed the Three Autumn Songs while the other selections freely draw upon folk-influences and orthodox polyphony.

As a calling card to her new Danish friends, Maestra Batič makes an extraordinary artistic statement presenting the choral music of Else Marie Pade! Rightly celebrated as one of the pioneers of electronic music, Pade also composed an extraordinary catalogue of works for acoustic instruments and voice.

As beautifully score the pair of stunning works from the 1950s are, nothing could prepare us for the World Premiere Recording of Pade’s extraordinary Maria (1980) scored for coloratura soprano, bass baritone, speaking choir and 7 trombones, and electronic sounds. Written as spiritual self-solace to comfort her from her trauma during the war, Maria is a modernist musical Rosary, and a masterwork of contemporary religious music.

Truly, Martina Batič and the Danish National Vocal Ensemble has taken us on an amazing journey you will not want to miss!

Danish National Vocal Ensemble
Martina Batič, Conductor