Consortium Vocale Oslo

Consortium Vocale Oslo, founded in 1985, is a male vocal ensemble based at Oslo Cathedral. Since 1998 the ensemble has specialized in Gregorian chant under the direction of Alexander M. Schweitzer. Under Schweitzer’s guidance the group has dedicated itself to the palaeographic study of medieval manuscripts, to an appropriation of the theological-spiritual dimension of the Gregorian repertoire, and to an interpretation of Gregorian chant according to semiological principles.

The collaboration with Schweitzer has led to numerous performances in Norway and Europe. In 2003 and 2015 Consortium Vocale Oslo was invited to perform at conferences held by AISCGre, the International Association for Studies of Gregorian Chant. In 2004 the ensemble was awarded first prize in the prestigious Guido d’Arezzo International Choir Competition in the category for Christian plainchant, as well as the “Domenico Cieri” special prize. In 2008 the ensemble received the Guidoneum Award presented by the Fondazione Guido d’Arezzo for outstanding artistic achievements in the field of Gregorian chant. Activities in subsequent years have included concerts in Norway, Switzerland, Germany, Hungary, Belgium, Slovakia, Italy, the Vatican, and Greece, and appearances with Trio Mediaeval, Berit Opheim and Kåre Nordstoga, among others.

Under the leadership of Alexander M. Schweitzer, Consortium Vocale Oslo has released seven CDs of Gregorian chant: Laus mea Dominus (ASV Gaudeamus, 2002), Exaudiam eum (2L, 2007), Vultum tuum (EOS Verlag, 2008), Resurrexi (EOS Verlag, 2013), Salvum me fecit (EOS Verlag, 2016), Historia Sancti Olavi (Lawo classics, 2016) and Mirabilia fecit Dominus (EOS Verlag, 2016). (Recordings)

Conductor Alexander M. Schweitzer

Members Mats Bergstrøm, Svend Erik Haaland, Alf Howlid, Olav Leden Nytrøen, Pål Strøm, Lars Brusletto Sveen, Kjell Viig and Jonas Lind Aase

Alexander M. Schweitzer

Alexander M. Schweitzer is a theologian and musician who since the mid-1980s has specialized in Gregorian chant. He studied chant in Rome, Cremona and Munich (with J.B. Göschl). Schweitzer has trained Gregorian ensembles worldwide and taught Gregorian chant and liturgical music in various institutions. He has been working regularly with Consortium Vocale Oslo since 1998.

Schweitzer is a member of international juries; he teaches Gregorian semiology in the DAS programme of the Music University in Lugano and at the courses of the International Society for Studies of Gregorian Chant (AISCGre) held in St. Ottilien and Venice. Since 1999, Schweitzer has been a member of the AISCGre board of directors and the melody restoration workgroup. In 2015 he was elected president of AISCGre, succeeding Johannes B. Göschl in this role.

German translation

Norwegian translation