Three Norwegian folk music bands will perform at a special concert at the Foyles Gallery 26 January as a lead-up to the Spotlight Norway at Celtic Connections in Glasgow. The Valkyrien Allstars, Gjemund Larsen Trio and Synnøve S. Bjørset are all great ambassadors of a new generation of Norwegian folk musicians.
The folk-music group Valkyrien Allstars has existed since 2002. Their music is based on traditional Norwegian tunes, but the band aims to give their music a more modern and international sound. And as they express it themselves: “The music isn’t meant to be nice and pretty, but should give you a kick deep inside of you.” The Valkyrien Allstars consist of Tuva Livsdatter Syvertsen, Ola Hilmen and Erik Sollid, Magnus Larsen (bass) and Martin Langlie (drums).
Gjermund Larsen Trio is an exciting folk music group consisting of Gjermund Larsen on fiddle, Andreas Utnem on piano and Sondre Meisfjord on double bass. They made their debut in 2006 and has since played at various venues, both in Norway and abroad.
Synnøve S. Bjørset released her latest solo album “Slåttar” in 2009. She ranks among the foremost performers and interpreters of traditional Hardanger fiddle music today. She presents a melodious collection of little-known tunes and reinterpretations of familiar standards, playing a wide range of scordatura tunings.
Spotlight Norway
With pre-concert introduction by Fiona Talkington (BBC Radio 3)
26 January,
7.00pm
Foyles
Events in The Gallery on the 3rd Floor
113-119 Charing Cross Road
London WC2H 0EB
Tickets: Free, email events@foyles.co.uk to reserve a place.