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GRCD 4464CD
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On their second album, the young but experienced duo of Gunnar Halle (trumpet) and Espen Eriksen (piano) use psalms as a point of departure for lovely, challenging and searching improvisations. Their mode of expression ranges from dark and introspective to more rhythmically playful and exalted. The project presents both well-known and less familiar psalms in new and stimulating ways, and at the same time demonstrates the strength and durability that characterizes this material. The duo's debut recording was the critically-acclaimed album Meditations on Christmas in 2010, which featured improvisations based on Christmas hymns and folk songs. Psalm is a continuation of this project, but this time they are using hymns and psalms from the entire church year. "Relating to these hymns and folk songs on purely musical terms, without thinking about how they are usually played, was such an interesting proposition that we wanted to keep going," says pianist Espen Eriksen. He developed a close connection with these psalms when he worked as a substitute organist in his youth. "The challenge of approaching this material and the attraction it holds are in a way two sides of the same coin," according to the two musicians. In many cases the key was to eliminate the original harmonies. "When you're left with only the melody, it's much easier to come up with ideas for both arrangements and improvisations." The duo had already presented a number of church concerts with this material before going into the studio. "In the beginning we were afraid that it might appear offensive and disrespectful to give familiar and beloved festival hymns completely new packaging. But actually we have had only positive feedback from audiences of all ages, and people are delighted to hear the old hymns and folk songs, some of which are quite ancient, in an entirely new way." The album was recorded at the legendary Rainbow Studio in Oslo in the course of two short and intense sessions.
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CD
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GRCD 4337CD
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Susanna Wallumrød is one of Norway's finest and most distinctive vocalists. Jeg Vil Hjem Til Menneskene (trans. "I Want To Go Home To The People") is her first Norwegian-language album. All the lyrics were taken from the writings of poet Gunvor Hofmo, whose profound ability to express human longing, loss and a sense of wonder in the presence of both evil and beauty in life struck a chord with Susanna Wallumrød. Wallumrød became interested in Gunvor Hofmo in 1999, when she received the Christmas book Jeg Glemmer Ingen (trans. "I Forget Nobody"), published by Gyldendal Norsk Forlag, presenting 15 unknown poems by Hofmo. Wallumrød's interest in Hofmo intensified a few years later after reading Jan Erik Vold's Mørkets Sangerske (trans. "Singer Of Darkness"), about Hofmo. She was inspired to set Hofmo's poems to music one evening in 2009 during a conversation with Håvard Rem about the poet. Gunvor Hofmo (1921-1995) published her first collection of poems, Jeg Vil Hjem Til Menneskene ("I Want To Go Home To The People"), in 1946. Altogether, she had 700 poems and 20 poetry collections published. She is regarded as one of Norway' most significant modern poets and as one of the powerful voices of the post-war generation. Susanna Wallumrød has established herself as one of Norway's top musicians with her duo Susanna And The Magical Orchestra (with Morten Qvenild) and as a solo artist. She has released three albums with Susanna And The Magical Orchestra and two solo albums, and has attracted attention both at home and abroad. Wallumrød has received glowing reviews and has given concerts all over the world. Her music has been heard on the successful series Grey's Anatomy, and she has collaborated and toured with the American artist Bonnie "Prince" Billy. Jeg Vil Hjem Til Menneskene is an encounter between two of the most prominent of the melancholic Northeners. The album was recorded in Stockholm in ABBA's old studio, Atlantis, and was produced by Helge "Deathprod" Sten. Susanna Wallumrød put together a dream-team of musicians for the recording: Ståle Storløkken (Elephant9, Supersilent, Terje Rypdal), Hans Magnus Ryan (Motorpsycho), Jo Berger Myhre (Solveig Slettahjell, Splashgirl) and Erland Dahlen (Nils Petter Molvær, Madrugada, Xploding Plastics).
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GRCD 4345CD
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The experienced young duo of Gunnar Halle (trumpet) and Espen Eriksen (piano) present familiar Christmas carols in reflective new settings on Meditations On Christmas. Sensitive ensemble-playing and lyrical calm runs like a golden thread throughout the disc. The strength and the message of these Christmas songs is so powerful, that they shine no matter what sort of light is cast upon them. The music is incredibly beautiful, but challenging to the listener, too, in improvisations and new arrangements. The duo performed a long series of overwhelmingly well-received concerts before they made the recording at Oslo's legendary Rainbow Studio in May of 2010. Gunnar Halle is most certainly a name to remember for the future. He was born in 1973 in Bærum, near Oslo, and studied in Copenhagen, where he established himself as one of the most sought-after young trumpeters of his generation. Since 2001, he has pursued his musical career full-time, collaborating mostly with Danish, Swedish and Finnish musicians, touring the world and contributing on over 60 recordings. Espen Eriksen was born in Haugesund in 1974. He is best known today as leader of the Espen Eriksen Trio.
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