Fryd  With Fryd ‘joy’, Cantus invites you on a musical journey that starts in the meeting of two significant female figures: Mother and Mary. We wish to make a tribute to the Norwegian mothers who each year conjures up Christmas for the children through all kinds of Christmas preparations. At the same time it is a celebration of the Christian maternal figure, Mary, who gave God’s son to humanity. It is a meeting between the child in the manger, the new king, and the excited children longing for a Christmas filled with experiences and joy. In this way, these simple names – mother and Mary – embrace the message of Christmas and the exquisite joy we all know so well.

With Fryd Cantus explores the musical traditions of Christmas; from the older, little-known folk music related to the holidays, via some of our great Norwegian Christmas favorites in arrangements written specifically for Cantus, to brand new contemporary music. The music is presented both a cappella and in collaboration with, among other things, instruments like organ and the traditional instrument zither in Trygve Brøske’s innovative arrangements.