Description
A wondrous extended work where Norwegian medieval ballads converges with Andalusian music, Arabic maqamat, medieval and Middle Eastern music, performed in concert by Norwegian saxophonist and composer Mathilde Grooss Viddal and members from her group, FriEnsemblet.
Mathilde Grooss Viddal's'Tri vendur bles ho i den hogaste sky'is a commissioned work, first performed at Vossajazz in 2018. The work, however, is in constant dialogue with the distant past and geographically distant areas. Viddal herself points out. That the work is about dreams and fears, about longing for freedom, about loss and conflicts, today and throughout history. The work also presents itself as a contemplation on cultural heritage and cultural encounters.
One of the elements opening the work to other dimensions is the basis of Norwegian medieval ballads and the tradition these ballads originated. This is a tradition primarily known within folk music environments. At the same time, the ballads are an integral part of folk beliefs, storytelling and legends, and a reservoir of earlier understandings of nature. As a second phenomenon, the Norwegian ballad tradition can be understood in a more global and globalized context. Some ballads seem to have travelled; versions exist in different languages and musical cultures.
"What really strikes the listener is the way in which she creates such complex music and presents this so accessibly, which is a rare talent and one to be celebrated." - Chris Barber, Jazz Views
"A nifty mix of old-school ECM folk-jazz and 1970s Alice Coltrane soul-on-the-sleeve spiritual adventurism." - Bird Is The Word
Mathilde Grooss Viddal- bass clarinet, soprano saxophone, tenor saxophone, Bb clarinet
Naissam Jalal-flute &voice
Unni Boksasp- vocal
Kristoffer Alberts-alto saxophone
Per Willy Aaserud- trumpet, electronics
Oyvind Braekke -trombone
Britt Pernille Froholmviolin, Hardanger fiddle
Tellef Kviftekeyboards, organ, sea flute, laptop
Egil Kalmandouble bass
Knut KvifteNesheimdrums, vibraphone