Picture
The world premiere of "Te Deum with five poems and a hymn by Jon Fosse" should have been in april, but due to Covid-19 it was cancelled and put out in time. But now Tønsberg cathedral choir and conductor Nina T. Karlsen are ready to perform the piece in the cathedral, on september 27. at 19:00. They perform togehter with organist Otto Cristian Odland, the soprano Ditte Maria Bræin, the barytone Eirik Krokfjord as well as four horn players.
Te Deum is one of the olders christian hymns, dated back to 4th or 5th century. The song of praise has been attributed to Ambrose, men the origin is uncertain. The hymn has followed the christian church, and is among other places sung in cathedrals and monastries as a part of Matins every morning.
I have chosen to combine the latin text with new, norwegian poems written by the world famous playwright Jon Fosse. His world of images and simple, direct language contribute to pulling these classical texts  a little closer to us today, as well as giving a more relevant spirituality to the composision as a whole.
Picture