Anima

Featuring Hardanger fiddles and violins from the 16th century, this release continues the exploration of playing and recording with historical instruments that began with Benedicte Maurseth and Knut Hamre's 2006 release 'Rosa I Botnen'. Borrowed from museums and private collections, the instruments offer a tonal quality that is both surprising and beautiful, and completely different from that of modern instruments. Included among the instruments is the oldest Norwegian-built violin, made by Trond Flatebø in 1746 and heard here for the very first time on CD.

The programme presented on 'Anima' (Soul) is a mix of traditional Norwegian folk music, early baroque by composers such as Tobias Hume and Henry Purcell, and specially composed pieces for the project by ensemble member and ECM recording artist, Nils Øakland. The music includes both ensemble and solo performances. Maurseth and Knut Hamre, being mindful of wanting to create something new without sacrificing historical authenticity, have produced an album that is both contemporary and traditional in its feel; in the words of Benedicte Maurseth, "What's old is new and what is new is old".

Personnel: Knut Hamre (Hardanger fiddle), Benedicte Maurseth (Hardanger fiddle, viola d'amore), Nils Øakland (Hardanger fiddle, violin, viola d'amore), Elisabeth Seitz (tympanon), Philippe Pierlot (viola da gamba)