Nordisk Sang

Nordisk Sang | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (November 24, 2009)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: New Albion Records
• ASIN: B000000R2R
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (13 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #192,547 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)
  • #40 in Music > World Music > Europe > Scandinavia > General

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

This diamond of a recording gives the listener a rare and intimate look at the genuine folk music of Scandinavia, away from the festivals, the hype, and the fusions. Here are the willow bark flutes, the pristine voices, and the fiddles (both hardingfele and standard) of Norway, usually in solo settings, or simple call and responses between an instrument and a voice. Central to the proceedings is singer Kirsten Bråten Berg, a singer of such pure tone and ethereal spaces that the ear swoons upon hearing it. Lesser-known but no less impressive is the voice of Pernille Anker. Hardingfele players Hallvard T. Bjørgum, Torliev Bolstad, and Gunnar Stubseid show the diverse capabilities of this drone fiddle. There are two pieces for transverse flute (one as a duo with a pipe organ that is quite unusual), one for solo dulcimer, and one for willow bark flute to round out the sounds of Norway. There are only two slightly larger ensemble pieces, one a trio for voice, saxophone, and hardingfele, another for voice, hardingfele, bouzouki (the illustrious Ale Möller), and recorder. All the tunes are original save for a beautiful solo fiddle piece by Hans Brimi. This is a worthy collection selected by the Norwegian Heilo label, and it offers a rare look inside the folk tradition. --Louis Gibson

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

15 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A FASCINATING PRIMER OF TRADITIONAL NORDIC MUSIC, November 10, 2001

By 

Larry L. Looney (Austin, Texas USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Nordisk Sang (Audio CD)

This is quite simply a great compilation, recorded mostly between 1977-1988, with two tracks from 1957. All but one of the pieces are traditional, some vocal and some instrumental. They are not over-arranged -- most are solos or duets. They are presented in a fairly straightforward manner, but are filled with life and energy. Ale Moller is heard on a couple of tracks (see also his incredibly beautiful work with Lena Willemark), and there are a number of fine examples of Nordic fiddling -- a style you will never forget once you hear it.

Of particular note on this recording is the beauty of the vocals, by Pernille Anker and Kirsten Braten Berg. Their voices are lovely instruments, powerful and emotive.

The curious listener is also encouraged to explore the recordings of Lena Willemark and Ale Moller, as well as the unique treatments of medieval Norwegian song found on Jan Garbarek's recording with vocalist Agnes Buen Garnas, ROSENSFOLE (look it up on Amazon by the title ROSENFOLE to check out some samples).

There's a beautiful world awaiting the listener in the music of Scandinavia -- this disc is a great starting place.

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Surprise yourself, August 29, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: Nordisk Sang (Audio CD)

I don't know why I originally ordered this CD (remaindered from -- dare I say it -- Daedelus), but something in their compelling description made me do it. I'm not disappointed. Every time I listen to this CD (it's permanently in the changer), I like it more. I don't get tired of it. It's foreign and familiar. Haunting and comforting. Very beautiful. I'm not an expert, so I can't give reasons, but if you love music -- the music of the human soul/mind -- I suspect you'll enjoy this. It's worth the risk.

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Extraordinary, Balanced and Timeless., June 11, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: Nordisk Sang (Audio CD)

What more can be said about recordings that I listen to over and over again without ever tiring? Nordisk Sang was the fire that ignited me to further pursue additional Norwegian recordings, such as The Sweet Sunny North series. It's like your standard blue blazer; the essential and first cornerstone of everything else that follows.