Solveig Slettahjell og Tord Gustavsen - Natt i Betlehem (Night in Bethlehem)

Solveig Slettahjell with Tord Gustavsen and Sjur Miljeteig:

"Natt i Betlehem" (Night in Bethlehem)

The Nativity Church in Bethlehem has seen pilgrims come and go for thousands of years. The walls have layer upon layer of imprints of faith; icons, pictures, jewellery and marble. Ever since the three Magi came bearing gifts for the infant Jesus people have come here, bringing their most beautiful possessions in honour of the wondrous event that changed the world 2000 years ago. So also Solveig Slettahjell.

Her gift is Christmas songs performed with the intensity and devotion that only she can supply. With Tord Gustavsen (piano) and Sjur Miljeteig (trumpet) she has spent four nights in the ancient church which was built on the grotto where tradition has it Jesus was born.

After the pilgrims had left the church for the evening and the monks in the Franciscan monastery had retired for the night, the three Norwegian artists spent some creative hours each night in the church. When tranquillity and the quiet of the night had settled in the church, they presented their gifts and recorded them on a new CD called "Natt i Betlehem" to share them with all who want to listen.

Erik Hillestad, producer, and Daniel Wold, recording engineer, put these beautiful Christmas songs performed in the exceptional acoustics of the church on digital storage media and then mixed the music to their usual excellent standard. The grand piano used for the recording was a Steinway from 1882 belonging to the Music Conservatory of Bethlehem.

The repertoire:
Stille natt (Silent Night)
Å kunne jeg bare bli barn igjen (Oh to be a Child Again)
Kling no klokka (Ring Ye Bells)
Jul, jul, strålande jul (Christmas, Radiant Christmas)
O Poor Little Jesus
Mitt hjerte alltid vanker (My Heart is Always with Jesus)
Star Carol
O Little Town of Bethlehem
Sleep Holy Babe
Jeg synger julekvad (In Dolce Jubilo)
I denne søte juletid (At This Joyful Christmas Tide)
Det kimer nå til julefest (The Bells of Christmas Chime Once More)
När det lider mot jul (Christmas draws nigh)
Deilig er jorden (Beautiful Saviour)