Reflections from Rolf
November 2021
To form a musical concept is like having a hook on which to hang our music. Christmas turned out to be a hook like this. It gave our music a sense of reason. We felt it as the album was moulding into shape and we certainly felt it during our Christmas concerts in December.
I will admit the project has been like a quest for Christmas. When we started the tour, we didn’t know how the listeners would react to a concert with only new Christmas music. I was always apprehensive after each new song if the listener would be open to a new perspective of music. But each concert was a great confirmation that the audiences appreciated our ideas. By the time all cultural arrangements were shut down by the government here in Norway due to covid, we were so encouraged by the concerts. Everybody in the band and production (13 of us) were so saddened when we had to stop. We’re already talking about a new concert tour next year.
Even the radio here in Norway has been kind to us this year. From absolutely no play last year we had a solid strike of airplays during Christmas. Some days our record was probably among the most played albums on Norwegian NRK Classics. Last year we wondered if new Christmas music was welcomed at all. This year it changed completely, of which we are very grateful. Also, RTE in Ireland has played some of our new songs.
One person has been the catalyst in creating this album. He suggested it probably 20 years ago. He envisioned that Secret Garden and Christmas could be a good combination. This year he finally proved right. Unfortunately, for us, he retired from Universal Classics & Jazz this Christmas. A long and highly appreciated collaboration has ground to a halt – at least formally. We would like to thank Mark Wilkinson for his longevity and commitment to Secret Garden and his friendship over all these years – and wish him all the best in his new endeavours in life.
Hopefully you’ll have time to look up our new documentary “Sacred Night – part two”. We give you a close-up studio view into the making of the album and share our thoughts and stories in the production. Maybe it will give you a better understanding of the music and the work process.
Finally, between the last time we were on stage in Taipei in December 2018 and now it’s been 3 difficult years with cancer treatment for Fionnuala and Covid pandemic for all of us. It did us a tun of good to be back on stage and facing our audience again. We had many sleepless nights worrying over it, but eventually it felt so rewarding and inspiring to us.
Thank you for your continued support!
Rolf