07/07/2025
STJERNEBRU reviewed by Frank Doris in Copper Magazine:
"Stjernebru is a new release from Morten Lindberg’s 2L Records, which, as the Norwegian company states, specializes in making recordings in spacious acoustic venues: large concert halls, churches, and cathedrals. You wouldn’t have to read the liner notes to know this after hearing five seconds of the first track – the sense of spaciousness and beautiful reverb is gorgeous. (The header image above was taken at the recording site, courtesy of Morten Lindberg)
The album features the Det Norske Jentekor (Norwegian Girls Choir), accompanied by Gjermund Larsen on fiddle and Frode Haltli playing accordion, with AnneKarin Sundal-Ask conducting. Composer Ørjan Matre took Norwegian folk tunes as a starting point for his compositions, and they’re combined with sections of improvisation. The title of the record, Stjernebru, means “Bridge of Stars” and is taken from a word that alludes to a journey to the next world, “from the earthly to the eternal.” This record sounds exactly like that – heavenly, ethereal. The voices blend wonderfully in their melodic lines and captivating harmonies.
Some tech details: it was done in DXD 24-bit/352.8 kHz using DPA microphones and Merging Technologies HORUS converters into a Pyramix workstation, using Ravenna audio-over-IP distribution. It was monitored using Genelec G ONE loudspeakers. It was recorded in Uranienborg Church in Norway. The two-disc set offers standard CD, SACD, MQA, 5.0 DTS-HD MA 24/192, 7.0.4 Dolby Atmos 48 kHz, 2.0 LPCM 24/192, 7.0.4 Auro-3D 96 kHz, and mShuttle MP3 and MQA formats. I did most of my listening in two-channel, but don’t feel shortchanged if you do what I did – even in stereo, the spatiality, depth, soundstage width, and ability to “make” your speakers disappear is remarkable. It’s rare you get this kind of disappearing act in a recording. Close your eyes and be transported.
This album sounds sublime. It has great clarity and what I would call an ideal tonal balance. The sense of “air” is superb, and it’s all-natural – no artificial added reverb was used in the recording. The sound of the girls’ voices is wonderful, and the fiddle and accordion playing perfectly complements the singing. I know, when you think fiddle and accordion you think square dancing and Lawrence Welk, but you may be surprised at how beautiful these instruments can sound. The arrangements give the fiddle and accordion room to stretch out, especially on “Johannes og Ingrid,” and the musicians provide sympathetic accompaniment.
The album has great dynamic range, which sneaks up on the listener about a minute or two into the title track. The accordion and vocals have superb realism in going from soft to loud, which gives them an almost startling sense of being in the room. The ambient decay of the recording space is incredible to hear in and of itself.
I suppose I could mention some highlights, like the incredible soundstage width and depth and hypnotic (yes, hypnotic) accordion on “Liti Kjersti” or the powerful vocal dynamics of “Nu solen går ned” but really, the entire album is a highlight. If there is music for entering into heaven, this is it." - Frank Doris, July 7, 2025
Stjernebru (2L Records) Stjernebru is a new release from Morten Lindberg’s 2L Records, which, as the Norwegian company states, specializes in making recordings in spacious acoustic venues: large concert halls, churches, and cathedrals. You wouldn’t have to read the liner notes to know this after...
