Sølvguttene Boys of Silver was founded by Torstein Grythe in June, 1940. The choir had its first rehearsals in his apartment in Oslo, but were soon offered to rehearse in Norwegian Broadcasting's (NRK) facilities. The thought was that the choir would be permanently linked to NRK, and the first radio performance was held in December 1940. Conditions during the German occupation soon made it impossible to continue the cooperation with NRK, and the choir was for the remainder of the war years managed by the founder/conductor. Sølvguttene got its name primarily because of the shiny, silvery uniforms that were acquired in the beginning (for lack of other, more subtle materials). Later the name has been attributed to the special sound and clarity of boys voices, voices of silver.
NRK started its own boys' choir in 1947, and Torstein Grythe was hired as conductor in 1951. The two choirs existed in parallel until the early 60's, when a natural merge took place.
Since then, Sølvguttene has been an extremely popular institution in Norway, with its many performances on radio and television, in addition to concerts all over the land. The choir has toured internationally, and has frequently visited other Scandinavian and central European countries. Sølvguttene has visited USA and the former Soviet Union on several occasions. Sølvguttene is widely recognized to be among the best boys' choirs in the world, with its emphasis on sound more than technical perfection.
Kjell Mørk Karlsen: 'Cor mundum crea in me Deus'
Kjell Mørk Karlsen (1947) is a composer with a versatile musical background. He graduated from the Oslo Music Conservatory as an organist and precentor in 1968, and took a degree as an orchestra musician (oboe) the following year. After having made his recorder debut in 1967, he took a degree on this instrument in 1972. In addition, Karlsen studied organ under Finn Viderø in Copenhagen and composition under Joonas Kokkonen in Helsinki.
Karlsen's strong interest in medieval, renaissance and baroque music led him to found Pro Musica Antiqua in 1969, an ensemble he was to lead until 1974. He has also been associated with the Musica Sacra movement, whose aim has been to revive interest in the liturgy and early music while at the same time focusing on neo-classical elements in German sacred music.
Kjell Mørk Karlsen's considerable production consists of 5 symphonies, 4 oratorios, cantatas, concertos and chamber music as well as church music for choir, soloists and organ. Examples of the latter category include Laudate Dominum a collection that features 100 choir motets for each Sunday of the ecclesiastical year. He has also concentrated his efforts to renew and carry on the tradition of large-format church music styles. In reference to this one can mention the symphonic 1987 oratory Lilja, Johannespasjonen (1991), Sinfonia da Requiem (1995) and St. Hallvards litani from 2000.
