An enchanting universe. Fairytale. Where theHardanger Fiddle of Apneseth transports the listener to a dreamlike dimension full of suggestions. The Norwegian musician was appreciated in the world of cultured music, jazz and folk, trying to break down borders among these genres. The last incarnation of his band is a supergroup of eleven extraordinary musicians. He found all together in the Amper Tone Studio di Oslo, Norway, in August 2024 to record the six traces of “Song Over Støv”. The list is incredible: Mats Eilertsen (Double Bass), Hans Hulbækmo (Drums/percussion), Veslemøy Narvest (Drums/percussion), Selma French Bolstad (Hardanger Fiddle and voice), Helga Myhr (Hardanger Fiddle and voice), Rasmus Kjorstad (Hardanger Fiddle, Octave Fiddle, fiddlevoice), Henriette Eilertsen (flutes), Anja Lauvdal (Keyssynth, Reed Organ), Rolf-Erik Nystrøm (Sassofoni) and Hallemmnic fraud (accordion).
The album “Song Over Støv” was born on commission by the Oslo World, one of the most important European festivals. The fairy hands of Bård Ingebriggen dealt with the mix, while the production was from Apneseth himself together with Anja Lauvdal. “What matters for me” – is Erlend to speak – is that the musicians warn a sense of belonging to music, who feel integrated in it and are able to express themselves in their own way. So, I tend to compose more for musical personalities than for traditional instruments: people I believe will discover something in the music they offer. “
The “Song Over Støv” homonym is a choral symphony that ferry the Afrodelic theories of Mingus among the impetuous waves of Rabih Abou Khalil: a wonder. “The violins tend to be a little dominated in the larger ensembles, so it was really comforting to have three more in the 'my' band. With a quartet of violins hardanger I also felt more comfortable in inclusive more specific elements than tradition than before. I really like to play in unison and let things repeat over time, which could derive from my background”.
“Spring”, which in Norwegian means “run” is the feast of nature that is reborn and makes life. Another proof of the surprising chorality of the Apneseth band.
11/05/2025
Antonio Santini for SANREMO.FM
