Customer Reviews

Sissel: Northern Lights

5 star:		(19)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

This is a seasonal concert marking the arrival of winter. It isn't really a Christmas celebration. For the latter, you should get the companion DVD, "Christmas with Sissel and the Mormon Tabernacle Choir at Temple Square". This particular programme was staged for America's PBS in yet another valiant attempt by Norway's singing sensation to carve herself a place on America's crowded musical stage. The programme was filmed in the Norwegian mountain town of Røros, currently listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Sissel sings in the local church where the audience can be seen sitting quietly in the pews. It is generally subdued in tone, quietly reflective and peaceful. Most of the songs are tied to the season or are hymns with a spiritual or religious bent.

Most of the songs are in English, including several penned by Sissel herself. My favourite amongst her own compositions is "Sarah's Song" a lullaby she wrote for her youngest daughter. "Like an Angel Passing Through My Room" is another exquisite song about a mother contemplating her child growing up and leaving. I especially loved the line "Love is one prolonged goodbye." Now who says Andersson & Ulvaeus couldn't write good lyrics.

Like most of Sissel's output, this is a wide ranging mix of semi-classical, folk, traditional and pop music in languages ranging from English, Norwegian, Danish, Italian and Latin. Sadly it is an extremely short concert. The entire DVD including the 2 bonus tracks and the slideshow of her trip, lasts barely 65min in all. Still, with 17 songs in total, it is packed with lovely music and absolutely gorgeous singing. I adored the Norwegian Christmas hymn "Mitt Hjerte Altid Vanker" (My Heart Always Wanders/To the Stable Where Jesus Was Born). I especially enjoyed the Danish folksong "Der Er Ingenting I Verden Så Stille Som Sne" rhapsodising on the quiet stillness of snow. Sadly the lovely Swedish Christmas hymn "Koppangen" is not included on this DVD. It can only be found on the "Northern Lights" audio CD sold separately. Sissel is as shrewd a businesswoman as she is a gifted artist. My hat off to her.

Jose Carreras sings two numbers here. First a solo, "Amore Perduto," an Italian song set to Albinoni's/Giazotto's famous Adagio for Strings and Organ. Then a pop duet with Sissel "Quando Sento Che Mi Ami" where he sings in Italian and she replies in English. Carreras' duet highlights something you don't usually notice about Sissel; just how tall she actually is in real life - she towers over him; a stunningly statuesque example of Viking womanhood.

Through most of the songs Sissel is backed by the Trondheim Soloists and the Nidaros Cathedral's Girls' Choir. In their arrangement of Bach's famous "Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring", Sissel sings the instrumental part along with the rest of the orchestra while the choir sings the actual chorale (in English). Two traditional English folksongs are included, "In the Bleak Midwinter" and "God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen." I'm not too keen on the modern arrangements but Sissel can make anything sound beautiful. In the clearest sign that this was meant for the American TV audience, Sissel ends her concert with a folksong most Americans would be familiar with - "Going Home" (the rest of the world will know this as the Largo from Dvorák's New World Symphony).

The programme is shot and presented in 1.78:1 widescreen (anamorphic). Picture quality is fine for what is essentially a very subtly lit film, mostly church interiors and the dusky Norwegian landscape that presages the imminent arrival of winter. Sound is excellent but strangely only available as either 2.0 Stereo or 5.0 Dolby Digital Surround. No subwoofer channel. Make sure your main speakers are good enough to carry the lowermost notes of the double-basses and drums, of which there is a surprisingly large amount. An altogether enjoyable concert and well worth the price. For those wanting to watch it first before deciding on a purchase, PBS is scheduled to broadcast it during this 2007 Christmas season. You can check with their transmission schedule online.

Unlike a lot of modern singers, Sissel doesn't need a lot of electronic 'noise' interfering with her beautiful voice. Apparently, I missed this show on PBS, but I just received the DVD and it's absolutely wonderful. I've been intrigued with Sissel's voice since discovering that it was she on the soundtrack of Titanic. On that soundtrack, there are passages wherein it's difficult to determine if the haunting sound is really an instrument or her voice.

I finally got it: her voice IS an instrument - and a lovely one at that. Highly recommend getting this DVD if you appreciate excellence in music.

I just listened to this concert on PBS. Sissel's voice just floated as Norhtern Lights in the Scandinavian skies. Her voice is beautiful and offered me a sense of peace and tranquility I really needed. Lovely.

Sissel has the voice of an angel! The only problem that I have is that there are not enough DVDs and CDs out featuring this beautiful lady from Norway with the Heavenly voice. I hope to see many more, and to hear her live in concert!

This is a classic example of how to make a poor DVD. Start with an amazing entertainer like Sissel, show her live in an interesting setting and then give it to some thoughtless DVD producers. If you do not care about a vocalist's sound on a DVD, this DVD is for you. But if you care about sound and video, don't waste your money or time on this one.

Sissel's voice track is recorded at such a low level that it can barely be heard. Turn the volume up and the canned applause blows you out of the chair. When you turn the volume down because of the crazy canned applause volume, you cannot hear Sissel.

To show more of their skills, the DVD producers then distorted her voice with tons of reverb because someone told them that live, indoor performers should have their voice tracks tweaked with lots of reverb to make it sound "real good".

Sissel's CD of Northern Lights is flawless and beautiful. Buy it!
Sissel's "My Heart" DVD is incredible. Her version of "Shenandoah" will bring tears to your eyes. Buy it!
This Northern Lights DVD is for the trash can.

I found the music of Sissel on a CD I borrowed from a friend, since then fell in love her singing. I decided it was time to see if she had any DVD's. I found this one, Sissel: Northern Lights and it is everything anyone could ever expect. The singing is beautiful and the scenes of Norway that are spread throughout the concert are mind blowing!! I would recommend this DVD to anyone who likes the singing of Sissel

I am very happy to have purchased this DVD. It has beautiful scenery, beautiful songs and the fabulous voice of Sissel. I recommend it highly.

I recently watched this DVD on PBS and just had to find this to own.

It's great music. Very nice video. Sissel has the voice of an angel.

I have Sissel's casett "Sissel" that was sent to me from my brother in Bergen, Norway years ago. I was very impressed by her voice. When I watched her on PBS in December 2007 with The Mormont Tabernacle Choir, I had to buy it. I had read that she also had taped a concert in Roeros Kirke, so I also bought that one. I am very impressed by her voice. So now I can have her "In Concert" any time. Needless to say I am very proud of you, Sissel, and I'm proud to come from the same town as you. Good luck. Gerd