SOUNDTRACK: VÄSEN-Tiny Desk Concert #720 (March 23, 2018).
Back in 2012 I had my first exposure to the nyckelharpa at Scanfest. And now, nearly six years later Väsen (who did not play at Scanfest that year) have brought the nyckelharpa to Tiny Desk (and the blurb’s description is hilarious).
Väsen came to the Tiny Desk with just three instruments, but all together it was a 30-string sonic blast of 12-string guitar, viola and nyckelharpa (a fiddle with keys — think 15th century keytar). Guitarist Roger Tallroth, violist Mikael Marin and nyckelharpist Olov Johansson have been a touring troupe for more than 25 years with 18 albums filled with adventure, amusement and virtuosity. They span the wide emotional range of Swedish folk music, equally haunting and celebratory. There are some similarities to Irish jigs, reels and waltzes that I’m more familiar with, but this music is more ear-bending, with more surprises than I’m used to in traditional string band folk music.
The band plays three instrumentals (all of their songs are instrumental) from their new album Brewed.
It’s fascinating how much these songs sound like Irish jigs and reels (fiddle and guitar after all). There’s a looseness to them that makes them fun and enjoyable–perfect for drinking and dancing. Especially a song called “IPA-Gubben” which means, “The old IPA man.” On introducsing the song Olov points to Mikael and says “this is the old IPA man, he brought this tune as a birthday present when he turned 50.”
It’s possible that the nyckelharpa is quieter than the viol as it’s not always unique sounding amid the music. But there are a few times when the nyckelharpa is playing a melody that stands out and you can really watch and hear Johansson shine–I had no idea the instrument could be played that quickly either.
Not to take anything away form the other two. The viol plays some incredibly fast runs and melodies and the guitar while primarily used for chords, also adds in some fast runs.
“Väsenvalsen” was composed by Mikael. It is the first ever Väsen waltz. The song starts slowly and then dramatically takes off with some wonderfully fast (and very Irish-sounding lead lines on both viol and nyckelharpa. I love in the middle when the nyckelharpa plays a harmony melody over the top of the viol so you can hear both instruments clearly. It has a lovely ending with the nyckelharpa playing high notes to end the song.
“Sommarpolska” means “summer polka.” It was written by Roger and has a lovely melody that grows and subsides as the instruments ebb and flow. It’s a joyful dance song and a wonderful concluding piece.
[READ: January 31, 2018] “Two Women”
In typical Amos Oz fashion, this was a rather short story. It was translated by Sondra Silverston.
Osnat wakes before her alarm and passes the apartment occupied by Boaz and Ariella. She thinks about what happened two months ago as if it had happened to strangers many years ago.
But it was only two months ago Boaz told Osnat he’d been having an affair with Ariella. So he’s leaving her and moving in with Ariella (who lives in the same building). Their affair began one day when Boaz came to fix a broken tap. Boaz prepared for a huge confrontation, but as he started to ramp up his argument, she cut him off: “Go. Just go.” (more…)
I Just Read About That... 