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ENE - "to make one"
It appeared to us a fitting word to name our tribute:
But is that to unite into a single whole or to split into separates? To join in union or to tear asunder?
The story of Edvin and Bjørg encapsulates them both. And both meanings experienced to their extremes.
Their pair-bond, devotion; Their separation, tragedy.
Favn (Norwegian) def: Embrace, the space between chest and open arms. Also, fathom.
Sjøfarer Song Story
A call to a seafaring adventure of life discovery. Experience the excitement and apprehension as a young man courageously sets out upon the high seas to seek his fortune out in the wide wild world.Sjøfarer Music
Sjøfarer consists of two sections: the first section features a strong, staccato beat, played with sharp and distinct notes. This choice was made to portray the image of a courageous ship sailing boldly across vast seas, forcefully colliding with large waves. In contrast, the second section of the piece is composed with a smooth, legato flow, depicting grandfather’s grand voyage.
As we recall from one of the tracks of the first album, Havstrøm, we employed a 25/8 beat, an odd rhythm that propels you forward, defying any attempts to control it with a simple system. Throughout this A-side of ENE Favn, the consistent use of these unconventional rhythms is the red thread of grandfathers explorations into the world. Sjøfarer is presented in a 13/8 rhythm.
Skrog Song Story
You can feel the salty sea spray on your face and feel the rolling of the vessel as it heaves away and hauls away with the hull crashing through huge waves as our seaman sails the ocean vast. Navigating both life and the seas finds our hero on strange shores, in exotic ports, and far off lands, pushing back the edges of the world and bravely not heeding the warnings on maps stating “Here be monsters.”
Skrog Music
Continuing with a similar sense of determination as the initial song, this composition maintains a rapid succession of unconventional rhythms, transitioning from 13/8 to a shifting dance between 12/8 and 13/8.
Starting with a set-up of the keltic harp and the bandoneon this piece shows off a simple playfulness in the start, mirroring grandfather’s adventurous joy of being out into the world. The theme of the middle part revolves around that of Havstrøm, stating The Sea as an important character in this story. As we continue the sea becomes bigger and rougher, sung by layers and layers working in the depths of the powerful pedal harp. The harps having been recorded at different locations in the room, create the feeling of the sea getting bigger and bigger. Then, as suddenly as it rose, The Sea calms again and we are back with the keltic harp and bandoneon and their high-spirited melody, urging grandfather further and onwards.
Sjøfugl Song Story
This piece is a parallel of two stories. First it is a story of a seabird diving and fishing with other seabirds. Hovering high above the waves before diving deep below the surface. Only to rise again, and again. More subtly, it is the journey of a soul being gathered from the ocean, having to navigate the underworld in order to be called to glory across the crystal sea.
Sjøfugl Music
In this piece the same key signature - 25/8 - is played at a much higher pace. The bandoneon has a lively and playful voice, accompanied by a very fast ostinato in the harp. Curiously, the melody is hardly ever on the beat, rather it starts on the 3rd subdivision of the beat and keeps shifting throughout the piece. This creates a playful and «off» feeling- like you can't quite catch it - just like a bird!
This playfulness sees a huge shift when the bird dives under water, featuring lower registers on both instruments and the bandoneon taking over the fast accompaniment.
When the bird shoots up from the sea again it finds the weather has gone unruly and dark, and the energy in the piece is build up by the harp reclaiming control over the accompanying ostinato, but now at a slower pace and with the deepest notes of the instrument, joined by the bandoneon for the first time displaying dense dramatic chords.
As the first part is repeated, a second bandoneon joins in as another bird, and as the observer moves away, the sound of the instruments representing the diving birds fade into the distance.
Øya Song Story
A reflective moment in the doldrums:
Is that his island home he can see on the horizon, or are they storm clouds rising?
Is he missed at home, or have they forgotten him?
Is it really home anyway, or just another lonely port?
Has the world wearied him, or is he still honourable?
Has he tied himself to the mast, or is adventure at an end?
Could he leave the sea and stay ashore, or would the Sirens call him back?
Øya Music
A slower and more contemplative take on the rhythms we've been introduced to so far in the album.Krystallhavet Song Story
As it were, a sea of glass mingled with fire, where only faith can compass this vast expanse set before the throne of God. To anchor safe harbour in heaven, a soul must cross The Crystal Sea.
Krystallhavet Music
The fan harp is improvising over the written bandoneon composition in order to extract an ethereal effect that matches a distinction between the real and spiritual realms. This is a musical foreshadowing of the final album piece
i Havn Song Story
Returning from across the Globe, crusted with the salt of seven seas, he disembarks at the island’s little harbour. No one is there to meet the boat. Apprehension churning with hope, he climbs the path up the hill. Each step defeats despair with familiar sights, sounds and feelings rushing back upon him. As he crests the windy hill, is that his home and hearth heaving into view?
i Havn Music
Visiting themes both from the previous ENE album and the next(!), the three different harps and three layers of bandoneon create an expansive orchestral sound to encompass the memories, emotions and maybe even future dreams that find Edvin as he comes home.i Favn Song Story
There they are. They stand and wait for him outside the small cottage, and finally, he is returned into the homecoming embrace of his young wife and daughters.
He finds contentment and satisfaction that the hard years of absence were worth the sacrifices. He is overwhelmed to be able to watch his family blossom. A season passes and he cannot fully fathom the love and heartfelt peace of family life.
i Favn Music
The serene and beautiful melody describes good years together and future dreams. The Destiny Theme subtly enters through the bandoneon, suggesting that things may not stay this way, before the main theme of the piece continues.
At this point of the story Evelyn, Julie & Andreas' mother, had been conceived. Bæsta and Edvin had not yet learned of her, and Edvin never would.
Towards the end of the piece, the Destiny Theme returns center stage sung by a small choir consisting of Edvins youngest daughter and her children Julie and Andreas.
Vond Vind Song Story
The day dawns perfect for to set a sail. Embarking upon high hopes and high tide to breath the salt air again. But an abrupt change blusters in. Foul weather assails unheralded and unbidden in a furious tumult. In tempest he discovers himself unexpectedly and suddenly overwhelmed by wave and wind. The Deep itself surges to the surface to loom over our seaman before engulfing him into a whirlpool unfathomable.
Vond Vind Music
We musically revisit Sjøfarer - the seafarer. Describing a day-to-day fishing trip, the theme is presented in an easy going manner, without much accentuation. Ever so slowly the piece changes, describing the deteriorating weather conditions through several modulations and rhythms in the bass to throw the theme off. As the dire situation becomes and unassailable, the dramatic music grows with more layers of both instruments!
Finally - a lone shriek from the bandoneon - one that knows that the coming battle is already lost.
Uvær Song Story
“And he knew that sallow stranger cloaked in the squall, striding leagues upon the foam and gathering souls deep into the embrace of the sea, and on into the harbour of God.”
Uvær Music
The constant repeating rhythm of crashing bass strings on the harp describe the inevitable.
Earlier themes and memories return on top of the squall - some misshapen and twisted, others somehow hopeful but futile…
As the squall grows, a distorted Destiny Theme strikes with its full might, yet intensifies at each turn.
i Havets Favn Song Story
After the tempest, at full fathom, a soul is gathered and a life relinquished without farewell.
i Havets Favn Music
A single-take improvisation on a prewritten theme.
i Guds Havn Song Story
A crossing of The Crystal Sea is the final journey of a soul called to glory, navigating to eternity, and seeking the harbour of Heaven. It is the fathomless mystery of ‘crossing over’ from death to eternal life. A fitting final voyage for a faithful seafarer.
i Guds Havn Music
The sinus-like tones from the upper register of the bandoneon, the random (but actually carefully planned) timing and pitch of each note, the bass fan harp. All come together to create
a different sound
to enter
a different dimension.
Our grandfather Edvin, Bæsta’s first husband, whom we wish we could have met and known.
Our amazing grandmother ‘Bæsta’ Bjørg, who always laughs the loudest and brightens the world with her consideration for her fellow humans.
Sildring (Norwegian) def: Moving water
A sea tragedy complete
This first record holds the whole narrative complete. Loving and living the coastal idyll, until it is irreversibly shattered when the hero is torn from the heroine as the sea proves its treachery! ENE Sildring music evokes in us the full overture of emotions of this sea tragedy. These are more deeply explored throughout the series - firstly, with the hero and then the heroine individually.
Favn (Norwegian) def: Embrace, the space between chest and open arms. Also, fathom.
The hero’s tragedy:
Julie & Andreas have crafted a deeply touching and solemn tribute to their Grandfather as well as all other brave souls given up to the deep.
Nærvær (Norwegian) def: Presence
The heroine’s life:
This album will be a celebration of their grandmother and how her emotional strength has inspired them to find and embrace wholeheartedly the joy in life. It will also be a testimony of all those left behind after tragedy who suddenly have to be very strong and carry on, shouldering the extra burdens now theirs, even through their grief. (To be released 2024).
Translated into poetic Norwegian by Kjersti Hoel.
Contributors
Matthew Suen
Producer
author of "No windows face the sea"
Rob Rietveld
Sound Technician:
recording | mixing | mastering
Kjersti Hoel
Poetic translation of "No windows face the sea"Evelyn Ovesen
Vocals for "i Favn" together with Julie & Andreas.Photography by RoksethPhotography
This production is released with support from "Fond for Utøvende Kunstnere"
Recorded at:
Sula Chapel, Sula | The Norwegian Seamen's Church in Rotterdam | Dearworld Studio
