Nils Okland: Bris

Ethno Jazz/World Jazz/Modern Jazz
premiera polska: 2005-06-14
kontynent: Europa
kraj: Norwegia
opakowanie: digipackowe etui
opis:
Editor's Info:
Nils Okland is an innovative violinist and Hardanger fiddle specialist who is creatively expanding the range of the traditional music of his homeland. He is a renewer of folk music, consistently building bridges to classical, contemporary and improvised music. His playing combines freedom with respect for Norway's musical heritage and he is concerned both with the preservation of the oral folk music tradition and with the experimental possibilities of the music when it is charged with modern impulses. On "Bris", his third album and the second for Rune Grammofon, he has written all the music himself which is quite unusal for the genre. He is joined by Sigbjorn Apeland on harmonium, his musical companion since long, as well as Mats Eilertsen from Food on bass and Per Oddvar Johansen and Hakon Stene on percussion.
The Wire (UK)
One of the country's main players of the Hardanger fiddle, the heavily decorated and hand carved instrument is known for its overtones and has been the central instrument in Norwegian folk music since the 17th century, Okland has worked to open the instrument into territories other than folk. Despite working in classical composition and inviting jazz musicians and electronic improvisors onto his recordings, he still remains very much a part of the Norwegian folk music tradition. "Bris" was composed for a play about the life of the 19th century Romantic painter and fellow West Country inhabitant Lars Hertervik, who was brutally incarcerated at a mental hospital and, in pure desperation, famously painted dramatic landscapes onto every object in his cell. While "Bris" doesn't venture far into rapturous Romanticism, it does have dramatic kettledrums and droning bowed bass between the graceful, puritan fiddle sweeps. These devastatingly beautiful compositions are devotional and spiritual in scope, while maintaining a dignified and understated earthiness.
BBC Music Magazine (UK)
This starkly beautiful instrumental album by Norwegian fiddler Nils Okland is a real grower. It's austere, evocative and very contemplative music, with minimal accompaniment on harmonium, double bass and atmospherically rumbling percussion that slowly builds to a climax near the close.
Other Music (US)
His music is simple, fragile and sad, but also very powerful, at times overwhelmingly so. The arrangements are straightforward and minimal, with subtle accompaniment on harmonium, double bass, and percussion. There's a ton of passion and drama in this album. It almost seems like it ought to be the score to some kind of epic nautical period film. Truly excellent.

utwory:
1. Gralys 3:15
2. Hastabo 2:57
3. Myrkjeblatt 3:03
4. Slor 3:16
5. Blond Bla 3:26
6. Bris 4:58
7. Notten 2:17
8. Seil 4:48
9. Flyt 6:23
10. Avminnast 3:38
11. Gjennom 3:53
12. Bonn 4:49

more info: www.runegrammofon.com
more info2: www.nilsokland.no