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Jacob Karlzon – Winter Stories (Release date: 01.11.2024)
The new album “Winter Stories” by Swedish pianist & composer Jacob Karlzon is an atmospheric collection of wintry soundscapes full of atmospheric beauty and inner contemplation. A first impression is provided by the single “The Night Is Dark (Så mörk är natten i midvintertid)”, a song that is part of the national repertoire in Karlzon’s native Sweden and is traditionally sung on Lucia Day to celebrate the start of Christmas and the long winter season. The composer is Carl Bertil Agnestig. “I wanted to find a balance – I didn’t want it to be a conventional Christmas album, but more of a winter album,” says Karlzon. “It was important to me to put my own stamp on the songs, to give them more character, so to speak. I would be delighted if the album actively contributes to taking a kind of break from certain things, perhaps from the hustle and bustle of everyday life or the stress surrounding Christmas. Whether it’s the stress of getting all the presents, getting the family together or just having food on your plate and a roof over your head. My approach was simply to make myself aware: There are so many different traditions, so many different dishes and points of view, but for many people it’s mainly a time of year that they associate with the fact that they might not be able to afford certain things or have anyone to spend the holidays with. I wanted the album to focus on that above all else: Showing empathy, love and solidarity and creating a place where people can find a moment to themselves in between all the other things going on in their lives.” In “Winter Stories”, Jacob Karlzon succeeds in bringing the cold of the Scandinavian winter to life using only his imagination and the Steinway D grand piano. His consistently naturalistic approach and impressive dynamic range brilliantly capture an emotional time of year characterized by isolation, contemplation and melancholy. On the album, which was produced by Karlzon & Lars Nilsson (Avishai Cohen, Bohuslän Big Band) and mixed in Dolby Atmos at the renowned Nilento Studio, he interprets songs that have a concrete connection to the winter and Christmas season – including “Silent Night” and the Bulgarian “Bel Veter Due” – as well as music that evokes similar feelings. Highlights of the album include Karlzon’s own composition “Winter Ballad”, the traditional English Christmas carol “The First Noël” and Taylor Swift’s contemplative ballad “Evermore”. The tracks are accompanied by atmospheric videos shot in Norrland. Jacob Karlzon enjoys worldwide recognition not only for his technical brilliance, but also for his modern approach to piano playing. His music incorporates an impressive range of influences – from jazz and classical music to Scandinavian folk, future funk and doom metal – into a virtuoso whole that bears his signature. Karlzon, praised by the Guardian for his “captivating musicality”, has received numerous international prizes and awards since his debut in 1992. His multifaceted work is constantly evolving and embarking on new artistic adventures. His previous releases include collections for as well as collaborations with singers such as Viktoria Tolstoy and several trio albums, including the acclaimed latest LP “Wanderlust” (2022).
- 1. Evermore (Taylor Swift)
- 2. Winter Ballad (Jacob Karlzon)
- 3. The First Noel (Traditional)
- 4. God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen (Traditional)
- 5. Gläns över sjö och strand (Shine Over Lakes and Shores) (Alice Tegnér)
- 6. A Child Is Born (Thad Jones)
- 7. Så mörk är natten i midvintertid (The Night Is Dark) (Carl Bertil Agnestig)
- 8. O Come, O Come, Emmanuel (Traditional)
- 9. Suantrai (Traditional)
- 10. När det lider mot jul (When Christmas Is Coming) ( Ruben Liljefors)
- 11. Bel Veter Due (Traditional)
- 12. Taladh Chriosta (Christ’s Lullaby) (Traditional)
- 13. Silent Night (Franz Xaver Gruber)
14. Jacob Karlzon, piano Produced by Jacob Karlzon & Lars Nilsson
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