Wednesday 01 June 2022

Edvard Grieg Vocal Ensemble consists of eight singers and forms the core of Edvard Grieg Kor, the only professional choir in Western Norway. In 2022 they have their 20th anniversary, and together with jazz musician, composer, arranger and conductor Jonathan Rathbone and a jazz trio, they invite you to a musical celebration in Håkonshallen.

Jonathan Rathbone became a member of the vocal group The Swingle Singers in 1984, where he was also musical director and was responsible for most of the musical arrangements for over ten years. Rathbone is a sought-after composer, arranger and conductor throughout Europe, and has collaborated with, among others, the New York Philharmonic Orchestra, Katherine Jenkins, Sir Cliff Richard and Michael Ball.

The rich concert repertoire includes works by composers such as Johann Sebastian Bach, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart and Ward Swingle, and not least Duke Ellington : The last part of the program has been named A Tribute to the Duke , where Jonathan Rathbone has arranged all the pieces himself.

Edvard Grieg Vocal Ensemble
Jonathan Rathbone conductor
Stephen Higgins piano
Magne Thormodsäter double bass
Amund Nordström percussion

WORK
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (1756–1791)
Gigue, K574
Arr.: Jonathan Rathbone

Johann Sebastian Bach (1685–1750)
Air from Suite No. 3 in D major, BWV 1068
Arr.: Jonathan Rathbone

Herbert Murrill (1909–52)
O mistress mine, from Two songs from Twelfth Night
Text: William Shakespeare

George Shearing (1919–2011)
Live with me and be my love, from Songs and Sonnets from Shakespeare
Text: William Shakespeare

Ward Swingle (1927–2015)
It was a lover and his lass
Text: William Shakespeare

John Rutter (1945–)
When daisies pied, from Birthday Madrigals
Text: William Shakespeare

Jerome Kern (1885–1945)
All the things you are
Text: Oscar Hammerstein II
Arr.: Ward Swingle

Neal Hefti (1922–2008)
lil' darlin'
Text: Jon Hendricks
Arr.: Ward Swingle

Duke Ellington (1899–1974)
Prelude to a kiss
Text: Irving Gordon & Irving Mills
Arr.: Ulf Wesslén & Stephen Higgins

Duke Ellington (1899–1974)
A Tribute to the Duke
Arr.: Jonathan Rathbone
• It doesn't mean a thing (if it hasn't got that swing). Text: Irving Mills
• I got it bad (and that ain't good). Text: Paul Francis Webster
• Satin Doll. Lyrics: Johnny Mercer
• Don't get around much anymore. Text: Bob Russell
• Sophisticated Lady. Text: Mitchell Parish
• Mood Indigo. Text: Irving Mills