Trio Mediaeval: Folk Songs

Norwegian Traditional (Composer), Birger Mistereggen (Performer), Anna Maria Friman (Performer), Linn Andrea Fuglseth (Performer), Østrem Ossum (Performer)

Product Details

• Performer: Birger Mistereggen, Anna Maria Friman, Linn Andrea Fuglseth, Østrem Ossum
• Composer: Norwegian Traditional
• Audio CD (October 16, 2007)
• SPARS Code: DDD
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Ecm Records
• ASIN: B000UVRL7O
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #8,364 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

Editorial Reviews

NEW YORK TIMES: JAMES R. OESTREICH

FOLK SONGS Trio Mediaeval (ECM New Series). This wonderful trio of Scandinavian women, based in Oslo, has long tantalized audiences with samplings of Norwegian folk songs. Here, at last, is a full helping, infectious and addictive, as warm or meditative lyricism alternates with joyous friskiness.

Product Description

Corresponding with Trio Mediaeval's tenth anniversary, their fourth ECM album is a powerful and compelling recording of Norwegian folk songs. Performed in concert over the years, these songs are always received ecstatically - this is the album that Trio Mediaeval's fans have been waiting for. The infectious melodies and haunting harmonies of this music will communicate across categories to a very broad listenership. Joining the trio on several selections is percussionist Birger Mistereggen, a specialist in the Norwegian folk drumming tradition. The inclusion of percussion not only widens the sonic spectrum of the group, but also adds a rhythmic element to these ballads, hymns, psalms, love songs and lullabies. Founded in Oslo in 1997, the Norwegian- Swedish vocal group Trio Mediaeval was taken up the following year as protégés of the Hilliard Ensemble. Hilliard tenor singer John Potter was especially excited by their potential and brought the group to ECM, acting as producer or coproducer on each of their New Series discs, Words of the Angel, Soir, dit-elle and Stella Maris. Each of these recordings has had great success with fans and critics alike and the trio has maintained a consistent touring presence in the US and all over the world.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars At Home!, September 2, 2008

By	Giordano Bruno (Wherever I am, I am.) - See all my reviews (TOP 500 REVIEWER)

Amazon Verified Purchase

I haven't been enthusiastic about this ensemble of women singers, Trio Mediaeval, on their previous CDs, singing potpourris of chant and polyphony. Their voices are more individually interesting than those of the better-known Anonymous Four, but they've 'schmalzed' up the reverb and used other little gimmicks to trick themselves out as 'spiritual-sounding.' On this CD, however, they've tapped into their Norwegian roots, utilized the special vocal quality of Norwegian women singers, caught all the trollish mystery of ancient runes and isolated fiords. We Swedes depend on our Samii and Finnish singers for equally "weird" and heathenish vocal effects, but we can't match the Norwegians. I've never heard this music before except when kayaking farm to farm on one of the northernmost fiords. Trio Mediaeval has saved something very deep and enchanting from oblivion. The samples for the MP3 on amazon are adequate to give you an idea. Me, I bought five copies in Goteborg to put in the Christmas stockings of my five living aunts in Minnesota.

13 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Cool voices, December 17, 2007

By	Scott Stephens "eclecticity" (portland) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This group is very, very good. Harmonies are very tight; melodies are fascinating, even if somewhat unusual for the "normal" American taste. Every selection is very high quality music. My only suggestion -- blend it with other music. A full hour plus of this trio is nearly too much; maybe it's my radio listening history, but mixing it with something a little different only accentuates how good it all is.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Scandanavian images, September 2, 2008

By	Jean Mann (UK) - See all my reviews

These three young women have beautiful voices which blend magically to produce images of Norway's past - cold forests and fairy tales. Their singing, with north-european harmonies and maybe a basic instrument as accompaniment, is perfection. More please - but not so much more that this remains unusual.