Skruk (Choir)

Founded: 1977 - Norway

SKRUK is, with its characteristic sound and repertoire, recognized as one of the leading choirs in Norway. During the past 30 years its members have toured Norway regurarly, giving concerts in hundreds of churches throughout the country, and performed at Norway’s most important music festivals. The choir has frequently appeared on national TV , and its recordings are regularly played on Norwegian radio stations. SKRUK has also been on tours in Sweden, USA, Ecuador and Azerbaijan. The 48 members come from different parts of Norway; however, most of them are connected to the Sunnmøre, a region which is situated on the west coast.

SKRUK is well known for its many cultural exchange projects, and is constantly taking on new and exciting challenges. So far, their 21 albums have been released on several continents which, this year lead to SKRUK receiving the Bektas Özen folk music award in Turkey for their record “Landet vi kommer fra”.

The Director Per Oddvar Hildre is often referred to as “a choir magician”. Since 1980 he has been working as a full time choir conductor, continuously inspiring choirs and conductors in Scandinavia through seminars and master classes.

Remarkably SKRUK has been able to maintain its sound from its first recording in 1977 until present date, despite the fact that more than half of the choir members have been replaced during the past 10 years. This is above all thanks to the conductor’s focus on selecting and mixing the right voices for the ensemble, and his interpretation skills.

As well as working closely with respected Norwegian musicians the choir has always presented a broad a cappella repertoire, especially arranged for them by contemporary composers. Their latest project is the recording of an selection Norwegian psalms, arranged by the Norwegian pianist and composer Tord Gustavsen. Performed by Skruk and the jazz quartet Nymark Collective

Source: Skruk Website
Contributed by Aryeh Oron (November 2009)

Recordings of Bach Cantatas & Other Vocal Works

Conductor

As

Works

Per Oddvar Hildre

Choir

BWV 508

Links to other Sites

Skruk (Official Website) [Norwegian/English]