VARIOUS ARTISTS: SORGEN OG GLEDEN (SORROW AND JOY) 

H.R.H. Crown Princess Mette-Marit's selected hymns

H.R.H. Crown Princess Mette-Marit has accepted the KKV’s invitation to serve as editor of this new collection of hymns. The Crown Princess feels very strongly about music, and hymns have played an important role in her life on many occasions. After more than 30 years endeavouring to renew and innovate our treasure of hymns, KKV would dearly love to see that they find an even greater audience in Norway. 

The Crown Princess has selected 11 artists and the same number of hymns for the record. She has also attended all the recording sessions and helped design the CD cover, where her own thoughts on each hymn are expressed. The first page of the CD cover, designed as a small book, features an art photo taken by Anne Katrine Dolven for the project. The music is also being issued on vinyl. 

"The hymns are a link between me and God, and between me and life."

H.R.H. Crown Princess Mette-Marit 

The artists participating in the project are Solveig Slettahjell, Pål Angelskår from Minor Majority, Maria Solheim, Lars Lillo-Stenberg, Frode Fjellheim from Transjoik together with Marthe Rausand and Randi Lundemo, Ingebjørg Bratland, Rikard Wolff, The Norwegian Girls Choir, Kari Bremnes, Susanne Sundfør and Sondre Bratland. The Crown Princess also presents a text she read at her father's funeral. 

Among the hymns we find both old ones we know dearly and some more recent ones. One of the newest was written by Kari Bremnes for the Christening of Prince Sverre Magnus. Håkon Berge's and Edvard Hoem's hymn "No stig vår song, vår takk til Gud" (Now hear our song, we thank you Oh Lord) was written for King Harald's seventieth birthday. Erik Bye's "Blå salme" (Blue Hymn) is also a contemporary work. Of the well-loved hymns that have long graced the hymn books we find "Gud signe vårt dyre fedreland" (God Bless our Precious Fatherland), "Sorgen og gleden" (Sorrow and Joy) and "Ingen vinner frem til den evige ro" (No-one Gains Eternal Peace). 

The core band consists of Tord Gustavsen (piano, electric piano and melodica), Mats Eilertsen (double bass) and Rune Arnesen (drums). 

The album, recorded in Kulturkirken Jakob, was produced by Erik Hillestad in cooperation with H.R.H. Crown Princess Mette-Marit. Sales revenues will go to the Church City Mission and its important work. 

On 27 February the Crown Prince and the Crown Princess will attend Kulturkirken Jakob for a concert where all the hymns will be performed by the artists on the record. The concert will also be recorded and aired on NRK TV during Easter. NRK TV will also air a documentary on the recording during the holidays. 

Track list:

1. Blå Salme                                                                          4:26
Solveig Slettahjell

2. Sorgen og Gleden                                                            4:53
Pål Angelskår 

3. Jeg er i Herrens Mender                                                 5:04
Maria Solheim

4. Den Prektigkledde Sommerfugl                                     3:24
Lars Lillo-Stenberg

5. Biejjeim Jih Askem (Måne og Sol)                                  3:02
Marthe Rausandm Frode Fjellheim, Randi Lundemo

6. Mitt hjerte alltid vanker                                                   6:44
Ingebjørg H. Bratland

7. Tryggare kan ingen vara                                                  3:21
Rikard Wolff

8. No stig vår song, vår takk til Gud                                  4:41
Det norske jentekor, Marilyn Almeida
Anne Karin Sundal

9. Lite barn som kommer                                                    2:44
Kari Bremnes

10. Ingen vinner frem til den evige ro                                5:15
Susanne Sundfør

11. Gud signe vårt dyre fedreland                                      3:38
Sondre Bratland

12. Alt har sin tid                                                                 3:43
Lesning: H. K. H. Kronprinsesse Matte-Marit