| This is the third recording Mats Berglund has made for Giga, but the first wit this trio. It's a fresh innovative approach to Swedish music using fiddle, cello and saxophone, all taking turns on melody, second voice, countermelodies and gorgeous weaving harmonies. The trio was formed to perform at the 1999 Euromusica in Perugia, Italy. Cellist Leo Svensson and saxophonist Andreas Ralsgård had both studied under Mats Berglund at the College of Music in Ingesund, so the familiarity between them resulted in music that is full of swing, vitality and artistry.
Mats has thoroughly researched the music of Värmland, while being partly responsible for both the revival of Finnskogspols and the harjedalspipa tradition after hearing the archive recordings of the flute player Olov Jönsson from Överberg. In addition to his strong fiddle technique, he also plays diatonic melodeon on this CD in a simple, old-dance style reminiscent of Calle Jullarbo. He introduced the others to the beauty of the Värmland repertoire and their interesting arrangements and voicings really bring the tunes to life.
Leo Svensson is a freelance musician from Skåne, now based in Stockholm, having studied in Copenhagen and Gothenburg. His cello playing is gritty, earthy and underpins the trio with great verve but look out for his solo playing which is full of attack.
Andrea Ralsgård also plays wooden flutes and has been involved with Irish music for many years. Both his flute and his saxophone playing heighten the beauty of Mats' fiddling without any hint of competition.
These are three really strong individual musicians who are presenting a wider view of Värmland music and beyond, exploring the eccentric colours and rhythms within it.
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