Trio Mediæval: Yule Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		5.0
Video		0.0
Audio		5.0
Extras		0.0
Overall		5.0

Trio Mediæval: Yule Blu-ray Movie Review

Trio Mediæval may not have attained the same general renown as Anonymous 4 or the more probably somewhat more pop oriented Mediæval Bæbes, but they offer the same kind of sonorous female vocals that both of those groups do, and, at least somewhat like Anonymous 4 has in years past, they're presenting a charming program of holiday music that combines what the liner notes of this release call a kind of combo platter of pagan Northern European cultures and newer Christian influences, offered here in arrangements that can combine the traditional (i.e., ancient) with more modern touches. At least some of these songs will be familiar to many as part of their annual Christmas celebrations (albeit perhaps not in these languages), while others will probably be new or at least less familiar. As the liner notes continue to mention and saliently considering this is a release from Norway's 2L, Yule has a "special focus" on Norwegian folk tunes like Josefines Julesalme along with lesser known Christmas hymns rather fascinatingly described as hailing from the Swedish speaking enclaves within Ukraine like En jungfru fodde ett barn idog. Also somewhat fascinatingly, evidently Swedish speaking communities in Estonia contributed not only some rarities but like an unusual setting of In dulci jubilo.

Det hev ei rosa sprunge
Josefines julesalme
Nowell, nowell
In dulci jubilo
Lussinatti lange
I denne søte juletid
Bereden väg för Herran
En stjärna gick på himlen fram
Lux
Lullay, lullay
Det kimer nu til julefest
Frå Betlehem eit gjetord gjeng
Gläns över sjö och strand
En jungfru födde ett barn idag
Hodie Christus natus est

Trio Mediæval: Yule Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

This is another 2L audio Blu-ray with a more or less static main menu, as shown in the screenshots I've uploaded to accompany this review. Commendably toggling between audio codecs can be achieved by pressing the appropriately colored buttons on your remote, but the menu does offer some additional information (see screenshots 2 and 3 for examples).

Trio Mediæval: Yule Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

Trio Mediæval: Yule is another stunningly recorded effort from 2L, with the same surround options that tend to grace all of this label's generally excellent releases, including Dolby Atmos, Auro 3-D and DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1. I will say that the small ensemble approach here may not provide some of the all encompassing surround activity of some other 2L release by larger groups, but there is still a beautiful accounting of the hall ambience of Sofienberg Church in Norway where the recording was done. Even with "only" three voices, there is clear engagement of the front and rear channels for virtually all of the vocal pieces, and even short instrumental sections like the opening of Josefines julesalme can offer solo instruments intentionally emanating from more than one speaker. There's some surprising low end here courtesy of some drumming and double bass. Fidelity is excellent.

Trio Mediæval: Yule Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

While there is no on disc bonus content other than mShuttle availability, 2L also includes an SACD and a really nicely appointed insert booklet with complete texts and more information on the songs.

Trio Mediæval: Yule Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

2L continues to impress with impeccably recorded albums of unusual material. This is actually on the "accessible" side when compared to some of 2L's more adventurous outings, and should certainly be appreciated by anyone wanting a bit of a meditative take on "Christmas music". Highly recommended.