Stone Chair

Bukkene Bruse | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (August 3, 1999)
• Original Release Date: August 3, 1999
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Northside Records
• ASIN: B00000JRL9
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #322,769 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)
  • #93 in Music > World Music > Europe > Scandinavia > General

Track Listings

1. Numedalshalling [Halling from Numedal]

2. Min Gut (My Boy)

3. Steinstolen [The Stone Chair]

4. Springar I Dur [Springar In Major Key]

5. Folketone Fra Sunnmore [Folk Tune From Sunmore]

6. Runarvisa [Song of Runes]

7. Ein Annan Halling [Another Halling]

8. Maria, Hun Er En Jomfru Reen

9. Margrete

10. Kjellstadhallingen [The Kjellstad Halling]

11. Lovehjerte [Lionheart]

12. Stev

13. Kjetil

14. Bruremarsj Fra Østerdalen [Wedding March From Østerdalen]

15. Norafjolls (The Northern Fjords)

16. Olav Holijesen

17. Bendik Og Årolilja [Bendik and Årikukha]

18. Fenta [Gypsy Woman]

19. Til Sætersdal [To Detesdal]

20. Nåvårsetermarsjen (March From Nåvårsetra)

See all 21 tracks on this disc

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

Bukkene Bruse are a Norwegian quartet that features the Hardanger fiddle, an instrument with drone strings that give it a light, open sound unlike that of a standard violin. While the star of the band is undoubtedly fiddler Annbjørg Lien, the quartet is not a star vehicle, but a cohesive ensemble of fiddles, flutes, voices, and electronic keyboards that has a slightly austere, almost medieval sound. Don't expect driving fusion or aggressive folk-dance numbers. On this collection of tunes from Bukkene Bruse's 1995 and 1998 CDs (previously only available in Norway), they focus mainly on traditional material, from lively dance tunes to stately ballads, and deliver them in understated arrangements that emphasize the melodies rather than clever production. --Louis Gibson

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Ethereal Nordic music!, October 8, 2000

By 

Arry Tanusondjaja (Adelaide, Australia) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Stone Chair (Audio CD)

If you are a Celtophile and you want to listen to other ethereal otherworldly music, give "Bukkene Bruse" a try. They play Nordic music, on a mix of ancient and modern instruments - fiddles, nyckelharpa, flutes ...

Some of the tunes are similar to Celtic tunes - lamenting and soulful, and at other times merry and playful. Arve Moen Bergset's voice is beautiful - it brings the air of Gregorian chant into the Nordic tunes. My favourite track in this album is Runarvisa (6). This album is a treasure.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Journey among the Fjords, March 26, 2002

By 

"jerseyjim42" (Wayne, NJ United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Stone Chair (Audio CD)

Bukkene Bruse has created a 21st Century masterpiece of traditional Norwegian music. Evocative, transcendental and captivating this quartet combines fiddle, flute, electronics and percussion with. Free and diminishing rhythms accent melodies as key changes progress through each track. "Ein annan halling" is perhaps the signature track and includes a jews harp, not often used so effectively. "Fanitullen" opens with fiddle mastery, bowing and pizzicato. "Kjellstadhallingen" uses the softest flute to underlay the energy of fiddle and percussion. "Springar i dur" is almost a Celtic jig in its enthusiasm. "Numedalshalling" combines percussion, electronic keyboard, flute and vocals in a melodic progression.

Anyone who appreciates traditional, Celtic or medieval music should add this to their collection.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars One of the most satisfying CDs I own, April 30, 2002

By 

chefdevergue (Spokane, WA United States) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Stone Chair (Audio CD)

This is just a wonderful album from start to finish, not traditional strictly speaking, but also not veering off into any folk/fusion. It contains just that perfect balance of ambiance and engaging virtuosity to keep just about everyone happy.

The hardanger fiddle, played by Annbjorg Lien, is clearly the dominant solo instrument on a great number of the pieces on this album, but this should not overshadow some great flute work and moving vocals. The CD insert helpfully includes the vocals and an english translation, much to my satisfaction.

I find it hard to imagine that the listener will grow tired of this album.