They inspired one of the biggest films in box office history, and now the women of Cantus – the Norwegian choir who sang the opening track to Disney’s animated hit Frozen – are releasing their very first album on Decca Records, entitled Northern Lights. Cantus not only provided the opening music to the film, but also inspired the costume design with their traditional dresses (‘bunads’) and themes of strong female characters and sisterly love.

  From a population of 170,000 in rural Trondheim, 32 women helped unearth the ethereal sounds of Norway to the world. During the first research trip to the country, Frozen’s producers stopped at a shop and picked up some CDs for the journey. Driving around the country exploring the beauties of the land, the producers in turn discovered the sound of Cantus, the hidden voices of Norway, and the ‘yoik’ – a traditional form of song from the Sami people of the Nordic countries.

Comparable to the chanting of some Native American cultures, the yoik often mimics the sounds of nature, and this is evoked in many of Cantus’ recordings on the new album. The lead track, ‘Vuelie’ – or ‘Earth Song’ – weaves the celestial voices of the all-female choir with steady chanting reminiscent of repetitive rain or snow, in the all familiar opening to the hit film. Written by composer Frode Fjellheim, the involvement with Disney has given the choir and composer much attentional across the globe