Album Notes

A Scandinavian choir in Zürich? How come? Maybe the joy of singing together is something that Scandinavians have in common: Televised sing-along shows, drinking songs and Lucia processions. For expatriate Nordic communities, choir music also conveys homesickness, community spirit and one's own language.

Nota Bene has existed for more than 20 years and has become an institution, not only for Scandinavians living abroad. Scandinavian choir-singing has become increasingly appreciated as an exotic component in the rich cultural life in Zürich. This becomes particularly true around Christmas time, when Nota Bene performs its annual Christmas concert for an audience of not only Swedes, Danes, Norwegians and Finns, but also Swiss people who have learnt to appreciate the unique treasures of Scandinavian music and the beauty of the Lucia tradition.

Music and song build bridges be-tween cultures and Nota Bene makes a phenomenal contribution to this in Switzerland, not least because the choir members are amateurs. The passion and joy apparent in everything Nota Bene does is a prominent ingredient in this recording of songs to celebrate Christmas and light in the winter darkness.