ANDREAS ULVO WITH SLAGR - Softspeaker
Atterklang Records – CD Aklang 305
Andreas Ulvo, piano, Rhodes, Casio;
Slagr is a Norwegian, contemporary, folk music trio: Anne Hytta, Hardanger fiddle; Sigrun Eng, ‘cello; Amund Sjøli Sveen, vibraphone.
The Hardanger fiddle is the fundamental hub of traditional, Norwegian, folk music. It is a very complex instrument, having sympathetic strings running under the fingerboard and resounding spontaneously during play, often beyond the control of the fiddler. At least 26 different tunings exist for the instrument, each producing its own distinctive range of tonal opportunities. The sympathetic strings are also retuned to suit the principal tuning which will often be micro-tonal and which may lend excitement to the music when exploiting the tradition’s fiery counterpoint.
The album Softspeaker (2012) is a fine collaboration, the pianist’s reticent approach to his instrument, along with the reverberating, echo-like sound, uncanny murmurs and harmonies and an occasional unforeseen discord from the trio, generate an overall mood of composure. This in its turn may be tempered by a semi-mystical or trance-like quality and the whole becomes a resonance of quietude and serenity.
Andreas Ulvo has brought to the Slagr trio a unique blend of present day classical music, modern jazz and contemporary folk which gives the album a multi-faceted, sonic identity of poise and calm.
Reviewed by Ken Cheetham
Atterklang Records – CD Aklang 305
Andreas Ulvo, piano, Rhodes, Casio;
Slagr is a Norwegian, contemporary, folk music trio: Anne Hytta, Hardanger fiddle; Sigrun Eng, ‘cello; Amund Sjøli Sveen, vibraphone.
The Hardanger fiddle is the fundamental hub of traditional, Norwegian, folk music. It is a very complex instrument, having sympathetic strings running under the fingerboard and resounding spontaneously during play, often beyond the control of the fiddler. At least 26 different tunings exist for the instrument, each producing its own distinctive range of tonal opportunities. The sympathetic strings are also retuned to suit the principal tuning which will often be micro-tonal and which may lend excitement to the music when exploiting the tradition’s fiery counterpoint.
The album Softspeaker (2012) is a fine collaboration, the pianist’s reticent approach to his instrument, along with the reverberating, echo-like sound, uncanny murmurs and harmonies and an occasional unforeseen discord from the trio, generate an overall mood of composure. This in its turn may be tempered by a semi-mystical or trance-like quality and the whole becomes a resonance of quietude and serenity.
Andreas Ulvo has brought to the Slagr trio a unique blend of present day classical music, modern jazz and contemporary folk which gives the album a multi-faceted, sonic identity of poise and calm.
Reviewed by Ken Cheetham
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