With a unique voice that defies all labels, Sissel can turn her hand to any style of music, from operatic arias and centuries-old classical melodies to traditional folk and pop. USA Today raved Sissel has "one of the most ... more »exquisite voices..." and with her new album Into Paradise, she continues to showcases her angelic voice. "My heart is in beautiful music," she says. "Music that touches me." Into Paradise is the follow-up to the 2004 release of My Heart and her 2002 self-titled debut. A PBS Concert Special of the same name was taped in Dalhalla, Sweden, to air on select PBS stations across the nation in March 2006 with tour dates to follow.Sissel's ethereal voice, coupled with sweeping orchestral melodies, is once again on display with this new recording. Into Paradise was recorded in Norway with the internationally renowned Trondheim Soloists and reflects her passion for music in all its many varied forms. Mozart and Bach rub shoulders with Puccini, while Abba jostles for attention alongside Norse folk tales that have been handed down from generations. Among the performances are "Wachet Auf" by Bach, the otherworldly "Marble Halls" and the haunting "Sancta Maria." Sissel remarked, "I called this program and album Into Paradise because of the blissful feeling I get when I sing these songs. I hope that you will have the same feeling when you join me as we go Into Paradise."The captivating Scandinavian superstar Sissel has performed at the 1994 Winter Olympics, the Nobel Peace Prize ceremony with Josh Groban, and on Good Morning America with Placido Domingo. Her voice also graces one of the biggest-selling film soundtracks of all time--Titanic. Her first PBS TV special All Good Things was a hit in 2003, spawning her own headlining U.S. tour that garnered critical acclaim. The Chicago Sun-Times dubbed Sissel the "hottest new voice of classical-pop." Of her last album, My Heart, the Philadelphia Daily News stated that she may be the "next Josh Groban" and the Associated Press thought she sang with "pure, effortless style." Recently Sissel toured the world as the lead vocalist in the Howard Shore's Lord of the Rings Symphony concerts and co-headlined several concert dates with friend and past collaborator Placido Domingo. Look for Sissel to launch another U.S. tour in Spring 2006.« less
With a unique voice that defies all labels, Sissel can turn her hand to any style of music, from operatic arias and centuries-old classical melodies to traditional folk and pop. USA Today raved Sissel has "one of the most exquisite voices..." and with her new album Into Paradise, she continues to showcases her angelic voice. "My heart is in beautiful music," she says. "Music that touches me." Into Paradise is the follow-up to the 2004 release of My Heart and her 2002 self-titled debut. A PBS Concert Special of the same name was taped in Dalhalla, Sweden, to air on select PBS stations across the nation in March 2006 with tour dates to follow.Sissel's ethereal voice, coupled with sweeping orchestral melodies, is once again on display with this new recording. Into Paradise was recorded in Norway with the internationally renowned Trondheim Soloists and reflects her passion for music in all its many varied forms. Mozart and Bach rub shoulders with Puccini, while Abba jostles for attention alongside Norse folk tales that have been handed down from generations. Among the performances are "Wachet Auf" by Bach, the otherworldly "Marble Halls" and the haunting "Sancta Maria." Sissel remarked, "I called this program and album Into Paradise because of the blissful feeling I get when I sing these songs. I hope that you will have the same feeling when you join me as we go Into Paradise."The captivating Scandinavian superstar Sissel has performed at the 1994 Winter Olympics, the Nobel Peace Prize ceremony with Josh Groban, and on Good Morning America with Placido Domingo. Her voice also graces one of the biggest-selling film soundtracks of all time--Titanic. Her first PBS TV special All Good Things was a hit in 2003, spawning her own headlining U.S. tour that garnered critical acclaim. The Chicago Sun-Times dubbed Sissel the "hottest new voice of classical-pop." Of her last album, My Heart, the Philadelphia Daily News stated that she may be the "next Josh Groban" and the Associated Press thought she sang with "pure, effortless style." Recently Sissel toured the world as the lead vocalist in the Howard Shore's Lord of the Rings Symphony concerts and co-headlined several concert dates with friend and past collaborator Placido Domingo. Look for Sissel to launch another U.S. tour in Spring 2006.
"Sissel has been all over the musical map, but with this album, really finds the spot where she belongs with the audience outside of Scandinavia.
Even with the unique gift that is her voice, the pop versions of Nordic traditional songs that she sang earlier in her career would only take her so far. Her pairing with PBS a few years ago opened her up to a large new audience, but she was singing Grade B or C pop songs. Her new repertoire has favored some classical and neo-classical chestnuts (not unlike Josh Groban) and these works have really worked better with her vocal instrument.
I've LOVED Sissel ever since I first heard her sing with the Chieftains and have waited for her to sing material that suits her exceptional voice. I am happy to report that this latest album puts her right about where she belongs."
One of the best discs to hit the market in years
M. Leach | St. Louis, MO USA | 04/19/2006
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Yes, I am a Sissel fan, and have all of her US releases, and a few imports as well. I am writing this review for those who are not yet Sissel fans. "Into Paradise" is exactly that, one of the best discs in years with a classical flavor. Everything about this release is first rate, from song selection right down to disc mastering. Sissel seems to find herself on this disc. Her first US release was pop songs, the second release a mix of pop and classical. Don't get me wrong they were both pretty good albums, but not a five star performance like this one. I really love the arrangements on many of the selections, and the string solos are wonderful. I am not a classical music fan, most of my music collection is pop and classic rock. I agree with Sissel, anybody who loves beautiful music will enjoy this album."
Travel To Paradise!
Jeffrey R. Dunn | Chicago suburbs, IL USA | 02/22/2006
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Tracklist:
1. Dusk (Velkomne Med Aera)
2. Bachianas Brasileiras
3. Wachet Auf, Ruft Uns Die Stimme (Sleepers Awake)
4. Dido's Lament
5. In Paradisum (Into Paradise)
6. Sancta Maria
7. Vitae Lux
8. Ingen Vinner Frem
9. Bereden Väg för Herran*
10. Marble Halls
11. Adagio
12. Like An Angel Passing Through My Room
Sissel has outdone herself once again... From the haunting melody of "Dusk" that opens the album to the final note of "Like An Angel Passing Through My Room," it is a journey of many musical colors. This is the kind of album you need to take 45 minutes out of your day to listen to... To just relax and soothe your soul.
Sissel's voice always seems to have a healing effect on me and the tasteful arrangements of these songs suit her voice perfectly!
*This song is previously available on "Nordisk Vinternatt"... what I would call the sister album to "Into Paradise" released a few months ago, containing wintery folk songs that complement these selections very well.
If you enjoy this album, also check out her many previous releases. "Into Paradise" will also soon be released in the UK with four additional tracks ("What Child Is This", "The Sleeping Princess", "Salley Gardens", and "Ave Verum Corpus") not available on this version (But don't feel too bad... this version has two tracks that the UK one will not.)"
One of her best works...
H. Schuch | munich | 02/21/2006
(5 out of 5 stars)
"since I first heard her perform at the olympic games in lillehammer I've been a huge fan of sissel...and now with "into paradise" she delivers one of her best works by far...a vast variety of styles...all presented in that unique cristalline voice that makes her so special...
my favourites are "dusk" with it's haunting sound and music...and "like an angel passing through my room" - originally by ABBA on their 1982 album "the visitors"...she delivers a dazzeling performance - she can in every way compete with the original...
little diamonds apart from the 2 mentioned above are "dido's lament", "in paradisum" and "marble halls"...
if you have the chance to lay your hands on this collection of brilliant songs - take your chance and buy it...you won't regret it..."