Majorstuen

If you're looking for something to put spring in your step - and what better time for it than Oestara? - then Jorun Jogga (Run, Jorun, Run; self-released), the second album from Norwegian fiddling sextet Majorstuen, might just fit the bill. This ensemble, having made a splash in its native Norway, seeks to extend its reach with this lively, ear-catching collection of traditional tunes and original compositions. Unlike some of the other Scandinavian music I've reviewed here, Majorstuen doesn't combine their music with pop or jazz. At least, not overtly; there's something in their boldness and broad musical brushstrokes that suggests a reach for accessibility. The members of Majorstuen are an active bunch; most of their photos show them playing, running and sometimes tumbling out of vehicles. In fact, the CD is named for one of the band members, commemorating an event a bandmate describes as a "once-in-a-lifetime jogging adventure." This sense of playfulness and good cheer permeates Jorun Jogga, making it a perfect springtime companion; even the more serious pieces have a kind of merry solemnity. If you're looking to dance, set the mood for a circle, or just want something joyous to listen to, Jorun Jogga has something to fit the bill.

Genevieve Williams, Earth Tones 2005

Majorstuen

Un vent nouveau souffle sur le violon traditionnel norvégien. Majorstuen est l'incarnation même du violon traditionnel, et est actuellement le groupe de musique folklorique le plus en vogue en Norvège - le groupe dont tout le monde parle ! A présent, ils jouent pour la deuxieme fois en France, à Brest 2004. Les musiciens ont hâte de se produire en concert, et le public de les y entendre!

Avec ses six violons, Majorstuen est parvenu à créer un son unique, mêlant la musique traditionnelle norvégienne et la musique contemporaine dans ses propres compositions.
Le groupe Majorstuen existe depuis l'automne 2000. Les membres du groupe se sont rencontrés à l'Académie de Musique de Norvège. Certains ont une formation supérieure en musique classique, mais tous se rattachent à la tradition du violon. Chacun est originaire d'une région différente, et porteur d'une tradition musicale particulière. Ce qui pouvait donc constituer un obstacle est ainsi devenu leur force : des morceaux favoris issus de chaque tradition respective, le don de chacun pour s'imprégner du langage musical de l'autre - les découpes rythmiques varient beaucoup d'une région à l'autre, l'innovation, l'interprétation et les arrangements, frais et audacieux.

Les musiciens de Majorstuen ont une profonde connaissance de la musique traditionnelle et un grand respect pour ce patrimoine, ce qui légitime d'autant plus leur liberté d'expérimentation. Ces fidèles héritiers aiment à dire, par dérision, que "seul Majorstuen peut le faire!" Rythme, pureté et "groove" sont leurs marques.

Le premier album de Majorstuen est sorti en janvier 2003, et a reçu un accueil fantastique dans la presse nationale et internationale. A l'automne 2003, leurs concerts ont fait l'événement. Le groupe a fait deux tournées en Norvège cette année, et s'est produit en concert lors du plus important festival folk du pays. Majorstuen est actuellement en tête des ventes mondiales dans sa catégorie et travaille sur son prochain enregistrement.
En concert, vous pourrez entendre leurs titres et des morceaux de musique traditionnelle avec les arrangements du groupe : des airs psychédéliques, une arrogante berceuse mélancolique, une chanson douce de printemps, une valse triste, un air de conducteur de traîneaux de rennes, et probablement bien d'autres choses auxquelles vous ne vous attendiez certainement pas!

Ambassade Royale de Norvege |FR|, June 2004

Majorstuen

This young and creative collective succeeds in utilising the totality of artistic ingredients within the Norwegian musical heritage, thus producing breathtaking new perspectives. The listener is treated to a wide range of expressions: from melancholic fiddle-tunes, good-natured folk dance parodies to astonishingly pointed and vital new compositions.

The fiddlers of Majorstuen manage to convey a certain purity of sound that results from six fiddles with no other accompaniment and a real energy arising from the resulting pulse. The common denominator for Majorstuen's compositions and live performances is a pure, vital and energetic presence that serves as the foundation for wide-searching musical exploration. Majorstuen represents vitality, flawless performances and a striking presence - essential listening for anyone with a love of the Nordic fiddle sound.

Tomas Lauvland Pettersen, MIC |NO|, November 2003

Majorstuen

Now Majorstuen and their self-titled debut CD are anything but a solo act. The promo sheet from their recording company, 2L say that "Norwegian fiddlers rule the world". Now that's not completely true as other fiddle traditions such as the Shetland Isles as heard in the fiddling of Aly Bain, the Swedish tradition as her in Ale Möller and company, and the Irish tradition as heard in the likes of Mick Conneely, are as vital and interesting as the Norwegian fiddling traditions.

Nonetheless I will say that this is indeed quite essential listening for anyone with a love of the Nordic fiddle sound. The pleasure of this CD is certainly enhanced by it being recorded in a church near Oslo, so the "organic" ambience of that space is reflected in the music. As can be noted by the cover art, this is the Nordic music made famous in the states by Northside - bright bouncy, and a bit jazzy. Now get ready for some more silly language from a publicist: "In between the worlds of folklore and classical, where pulsating energetic melody meets the polyphonic, polytonal and rhythmical intricate melody we encounter the Norwegian group Majorstuen." Huh? Ok, let's try a comparison. If you like Väsen, you'll love Majorstuen; if Kalabra causes your feet to start tapping out the tune, go buy this CD. If you only like traditional Norwegian fiddling, do not purchase this CD as it'll give you a severe headache - sort of like the Irish Trad musicians get when they hear "guitar" or bodhran spoken of as traditional Irish musical instruments.

The sound reflects the size of the group (Synnøve S. Bjørset fiddle/viola; Jorun Marie R. Kvernberg fiddle; Ragnhild Furebotten fiddle; Gjermund Larsen fiddle/cello; Andreas Ljones fiddle/viola; and Tove Hagen fiddle/cello) which really does a Nordic variant of the Blowzabella "Wall of Sound" something that any group of massed string instruments will do! It's as good as the previous album, just as different from it as the Summer Solstice and Winter Solstice are from each other.

Jack Merry, Green Man |US|, 2003

Youthful innovation - Majorstuen add spark to a rich tradition

Young, vital and innovative - those words capture just a fraction of Majorstuen's growing presence on the Norwegian folk/traditional scene. The expansive musical soundscape created by the all-string ensemble is earning Majorstuen new fans at home and abroad at a fast rate.

"We feed off each other and each member of the band strive to make the other sound good," says Majorstuen fiddler/viola player Andreas Ljones. "Being in Majorstuen is an intense learning process that involves strong personalities, skilled players and heated debate - necessities to create a good band."

And good it is indeed. Over the last few years, Majorstuen has emerged as one of the most vital and charismatic young bands on the Norwegian folk/traditional circuit. This young and creative collective succeeds in utilising the totality of artistic ingredients within the Norwegian musical heritage, thus producing breathtaking new perspectives. The listener is treated to a wide range of expressions: from melancholic fiddle-tunes, good-natured folk dance parodies to astonishingly pointed and vital new compositions. The band's self-titled debut was released on Norwegian independent label 2L to rave reviews earlier this year. Rumour of Majorstuen's live qualities have spread fast, resulting in extensive domestic touring - the most recent outing being a two-week national tour arranged by the Norwegian Concert Institute.

Says Ljones: "Our inspiration is drawn from traditional Norwegian folk music roots, jazz, classical as well as folk music from other countries. Majorstuen's forte lies in the rich arrangements that utilise the full timbre of the somewhat unusual line-up of fiddles, violas and cello. We focus on bringing out the full spectrum of expression that is inherent in every instrument, and combine this with arrangements that are created with a healthy dose of improvisation. When we play live we don't improvise that much but rely more on the framework of the arrangements and we try to convey our musical message by expressing the instruments colourful timbre."

The six young fiddlers of Majorstuen, graduates of the Norwegian State Academy of Music, bring together indomitable classical chops, a love of Norwegian folk music, and a great playfulness and ingenuity on their debut album and during their hailed performances. Monophonic, choral fiddle music is a mainstay of Nordic dance and ritual music: heard everywhere from wedding processions in small towns to the symphonies of Grieg. Majorstuen brings elements of traditional fiddle and Hardanger fiddle tunes to their compositions, revitalises the musical heritage with a contemporary approach and comes up with a highly individual and striking fiddle sound.

"I feel that what sets us apart from other ensembles in this genre is our untraditional line-up, the thorough and expansive arrangements as well as our sense of humour. We're not rigid and overly serious when we play live and we try to interact with our audience. Majorstuen is gradually building up a loyal audience, and we seem to be able to strike a chord with the younger crowd. The louder the audience feedback is the happier we are, we want them to move and have fun - that's why we like to play for a young public."

At this year's Førde Folk Music Festival, Majorstuen were featured as one of the event's central ensembles. Majorstuen was selected as the Norwegian EBU-band causing strong interest from international media. The band's concert at the festival was recorded and has since been broadcast in a number of European countries. "One specific result of the Førde-gig is that we're scheduled to play in Paris in January. We've received lots of positive feedback from listeners abroad and we feel that it has opened some doors for us."

The fiddlers of Majorstuen manage to convey a certain purity of sound that results from six fiddles with no other accompaniment, and a real energy that comes from the resulting pulse. At times, this is very much like music for string quartet, and at times, it's very much improvisational dance music. The common denominator for Majorstuen's compositions and live performances is a pure, vital and energetic presence that serves as the foundation for wide-searching musical exploration.

"We get lots of feedback from the folk-music community - people appreciate what we do and the innovation that we represent," says Ljones. "Our new take on improvisation and arrangements has been welcomed by the folk-music circuit - particularly the younger ones."

Upcoming activities include a concert in Istanbul next April during the Strictly Mundial Festival. The Majorstuen members are also busy composing and arranging new songs for an upcoming album that is tentatively scheduled for release in August 2004.

"We feel that the international market could well be as receptive as the Norwegian one has been. Over the next years we hope to establish ourselves on the international circuit with touring and releases."

Given Majorstuen's well-received recorded output and hailed live-performances, the ensemble could be in for some exciting years.

Tomas Lauvland Pettersen, MIC |NO|, October 2003

Majorstuen

In between the worlds of folklore and classical, where pulsating energetic monody meets the polyphonic, polytonal and rhythmically intricate melody we encounter the Norwegian ensemble Majorstuen.

This young and creative collective succeeds in utilising the totality of artistic ingredients within the Norwegian musical heritage, thus producing breathtaking new perspectives. The listener is treated to a wide range of expressions: from melancholic fiddle-tunes, good-natured folk dance parodies to astonishingly pointed and vital new compositions.

The six young fiddlers of Majorstuen, graduates of the Norwegian State Academy of Music, bring together indomitable classical chops, a love of Norwegian folk music, and a great playfulness and ingenuity on their debut CD and during their hailed performances. Monophonic, choral fiddle music is a mainstay of Nordic dance and ritual music: heard everywhere from wedding processions in small towns to the symphonies of Grieg. Majorstuen brings elements of traditional fiddle and Hardanger fiddle tunes to their compositions, revitalises the musical heritage with a contemporary approach and comes up with a highly individual and striking fiddle sound.

The fiddlers of Majorstuen manage to convey a certain purity of sound that results from six fiddles with no other accompaniment, and a real energy that comes from the resulting pulse. At times, this is very much like music for string quartet, and at times, it's very much improvisational dance music. The common denominator for Majorstuen's compositions and live performances is a pure, vital and energetic presence that serves as the foundation for wide-searching musical exploration.

Majorstuen represents vitality, flawless performances and a striking presence - essential listening for anyone with a love of the Nordic fiddle sound.

Tomas Lauvland Pettersen, MIC |NO|, July 2003

Majorstuen

Décidément, le label 2L ne cesse de nous surprendre ! Cette fois, ce sont les jeunes pousses de la scène norvégienne qui sont mises en Digi-pack. Majorstuen est composé de six jeunes violonistes, dont deux sont aussi altistes, et deux autres violoncellistes. Avec une telle palette instrumentale, dire qu'il "pleut des cordes" serait une métaphore facile. Je parlerai plutôt d'orage, tant l'énergie de ces musiciens transparaît au fil des plages. Partant d'un répertoire traditionnel, le groupe s'envole dans des arrangements qui explorent les nombreuses possibilités offertes par les combinaisons d'instruments, en ajoutant une ambiance, en plaçant une rupture, ne lâchant l'auditeur qu'à la toute fin du morceau. Peu de groupes nordiques se sont essayés à cet exercice, exigeant et périlleux, car s'il est facile d'user des ficelles de la musique de chambre, innover est une tâche autrement plus délicate. Majorstuen s'en sort très bien. Il faut avoir vu les membres de ce groupe jouer en solo ou en duo pour des danseurs, pour comprendre que leur démarche est avant tout marquée par l'enracinement de chacun. Le ciment de Majorstuen, c'est la pulsation, et il prend avec beaucoup de vigueur, d'humour et de créativité. Un CD très séduisant !
Obviously, the label 2L does not stop to surprise us! This time, they are putting the young shoots of the Norwegian scene into a DigiPak.

Majorstuen is a "mixture" of six young violinists, of whom two are also violists, and two other cellists. With such a range of instruments, speaking of "string of pearls" would be a metaphor far too easy. I would rather speak about thunderstorms of notes - this is how much the energy of these musicians shows through in the chain of tracks! Starting from a traditional repertoire, the band flies away in arrangements which explore many features presented by the combinations of instruments - adding an atmosphere - setting a break - and releasing the audience only at the very end of the tune. Few Scandinavian groups have walked this path, demanding and hazardous as it is; it is easy to use tricks of the chamber music - to innovate is a task otherwise more delicate. Majorstuen takes it out very well. It is necessary to have seen the members of this group playing solo, or in duet, for dancers, to understand that their approach is above all marked by the roots of each musician. The beat is the bond of Majorstuen, and it comes out with a lot of power, humour and creativity. The result is a very attractive CD!

Jacques Leininger, Trad Magazine |FR|, 2003

Majorstuen

Six young fiddlers, graduates of the music conservatory at Majorstuen, Norway, bring together on this debut CD indomitable classical chops, a love of Norwegian folk music, and a great playfulness and ingenuity. Monophonic, choral fiddle music is a mainstay of Nordic dance and ritual music: heard everywhere from wedding processions in small towns to the symphonies of Grieg. Majorstuen brings elements of traditional fiddle and hardanger fiddle tunes to these fifteen compositions, most "based on folksongs or dances". There's a certain purity of sound that results from six fiddles with no other accompaniment, and a real energy that comes from the resulting pulse. At times, as in the pizzicato-accented "ja!", this is very much like music for string quartet; and at times, as in the irresistible groove of "sorgens Ø", it's very much improvisational dance music. Taken all together, though, Majorstuen produces a delightful sound. My only complaint to the producers would be for better liner notes, explaining the sources of the music and introducing us a bit more to the musicians.

MD, Sing Out |US|, 2003

Majorstuen

The young Norwegian group Majorstuen made this record in a church near Oslo in late 2002, and it sounds fine. The six members of this string ensemble make a kind of music that sits clearly on the border between classical and folk. Or, to put it another way, Sibelius meets the Barra MacNeils. The clear production and the energetic playing are the outstanding features of this 15-instrumental effort. The music is delivered with a clean Nordic precision and without any discernable rhythm section, but rather, to quote the record company's blurb, the "polyphonic energetic monophony meets the polyphonic polytonal and rhythmically intricate melody." Whatever they say! Effectively, its a string sextet that plays a brand of music all its own. The pieces show a wide range of influences, with "rett vest med eric ost" sounding like a high-speed barn dance and other songs reflecting classical or even Celtic influences (Quebec's La Bottine Souriante, for example). "Majorstu-x" opens the set with a side winding, off-kilter fiddle tune. "Busk" sounds like a Nordic take on an Irish fiddle tune. Majorstuen is coolly creative and competent at delivering an interesting, if pain-free brand of folk. Not to be confused with a soul outfit, or an earthy folk group like Taraf de Haidouks, they deliver the goods without an excess of emotion. There's nothing hackneyed here, but at the same time it lacks the compelling qualities of great music. Great folk music takes more than pure technique. It comes out of toil, sorrow or happiness, a story to be told, or just the pure joy of playing. So, time will tell if Majorstuen can grow into a folk force or whether it is a one-album wonder. All in all, then, a qualified success, but worth a listen for lovers of the fiddle/violin, Nordic-style.

David Cox, Rambles |US|, July 2003

Majorstuen

In the old days, folk musicians were the tugboats of the music world, pulling people onto dancefloors and leading them through ceremonies. But folk music ain't what it used to be. Its quotidian duties have been supplanted as its creative advocates have stepped into the limelight as artists. Two new Norwegian bands show the creative tensions resulting as folk music takes conservatory-trained musicians from the dancehall to the concert hall. Majorstuen, a six-member string band, polishes the sounds of the traditional tunes in its repertoire, giving them a wider palette of subtler hues, more suitable for critical listening than dancing. Despite the action pose on the CD cover, Majorstuen is not one of the Nordic bands electrifying folk music. The group maintains a stateliness and intelligence more like a chamber group having fun with old tunes, exploring both their poignancy and playfulness. The group's label mate, Flukt, also takes a classically informed approach to folk music, but remains a bit too staid. Flukt adds an accordion and vocals for a more earthy sound, but stays in the same borderland between classical and folk. While the group plays elegantly, Majorstuen seems to have done its homework, producing an album consistently engaging and impressively put together.

Marty Lipp, Global Rhythm |US|, July 2003

Majorstuen

Group of six hot and fine-toned young fiddlers, likely to engender considerable festival-audience appeal. An impeccably played set of traditional Norwegian tunes in live-evolved arrangements, where wide influences bring plenty of variety and light and shade.

Froots |UK|, June 2003

Majorstuen

Majorstuen ist ein gemütlicher Stadtteil Oslos, auch Majorstua genannt, die Einheimischen führen geradezu Grabenkämpfe darum aus, welche Bezeichnung korrekt ist. Die Gruppe hat offenbar Stellung bezogen, warum auch immer - denn auch ihre Plattenfirma folgt der neuen ehernen Regel, die in Norwegen nunmehr zu gelten hat: "Wir stürben lieber, als dass wir CDs mit Infos in die Welt setzten." Über die Gruppe kann also nur mitgeteilt werden, dass sie aus vier jungen Damen und zwei jungen Herren besteht, die allesamt Geige spielen, zwei spielen Cello, ob Bandmitglied Jorun Marie Rypdal Kvernberg der berühmten Jazzdynastie Rypdal entsprossen ist, was geht's uns an, oder gar, woher die Stücke stammen, die mit kryptischen Angaben wie "trad. peter l. rypdal" verstehen sind (also was denn nun, trad. oder Rypdal?). Der Frust löst sich beim Hören dann aber weitgehend auf. Obwohl die jungen Leute sich auf dem Cover ausschütten wollen vor Lachen, haben alle Stücke einen melancholischen Stich, alles klingt traditionell, die Geigen weinen, jubeln, erlauben sich unerwartete Schlenker und Verzierungen und Ausflüge in fremde Lande, das Stück "Rett vest med Eric Øst" klingt wie eine Parodie auf Aly Bain, anderes scheint Filmmusik aus Hollywood auf die Schippe nehmen zu wollen. Eine einfach wunderbare CD, die niemals ein Ende nehmen dürfte.

Gabriele Haefs, Folker |DE|, 2003

Majorstuen

Her er det 6 begejstrede unge mennesker - i 20-års alderen, vil jeg tro - der tilsammen spiller på 6 violiner, 2 bratscher og 2 celloer. Jeg kender ingen af dem, men der er grund til at hæfte sig ved navnene, for dem kommer vi til at høre mere til, tror jeg: Jorun Marie Rypdal Kvernberg (violin), Andreas Ljones (violin, bratsch), Germund Larsen (violin, cello), Tove Hagen (violin, cello), Ragnhild Furebotten (violin), Synnøve Sæmundsdotter Bjørset (violin, bratsch).

Musikken spænder fra et enkelt instrument til fuldt orkester, fra melodispil til flot nordisk stemme- og sammenspil, fra 6 violiner til mere bred strygerklang, fra traditionelle melodier til nye kompositioner, fra snævert traditionsspil til swing- & sigøjnerrytmer. Enkelte numre er med såkaldt gorrlaus bas, dvs. g-strengen stemt ned til f - et traditionelt element, som er ganske vanskeligt at håndtere på en overbevisende måde. Kombinationen af et musikalsk overskud og et umiskendeligt traditionselement er sjælden, men her meget fremtrædende og vellykket. Måske er det resultatet af et fordomsfrit og usædvanlig usnerpet forhold til begge dele.

Det, der efterlader stærkest indtryk, er måske nok overskuddet - kompetencen … som skyldes musikernes uddannelse - de er alle studerende ved konservatoriet i Majorstuen i Oslo. Produktion og lydkvaliteten er også usædvanlig: Der er ikke noget, der mislykkes, ingen svage steder på den cd.

Omslaget - den tynde slags af en masse karton, der kan foldes ud ad flere omgange - er flot designet, men som på forrige sending af 2L-cd'er savner jeg noget (ja, meget) mere om musikerne og musikken. Lidt om hvem og hvad de er, hvor de og musikken kommer fra, hvad baggrunden for bandet er osv. Det kan måske synes uvæsentligt, hvis bare musikken er i orden, men for mig og sikkert mange andre mangler der noget, hvis ikke man kan sætte en cd ind i en sammenhæng. Jeg har snydt og har faktisk fundet nogle af oplysningerne på den oplyste booking-adresse: www.majorstuen.biz (og 2L).

Helst købte jeg et antal af denne cd og påtvang dem mine strygende bekendte. Her nøjes jeg med at anbefale. Det er usædvanlig flot musik.

Michael Sommer, Folk og Musik |DK|, April 2003

Majorstuen

Norwegian fiddlers rule the world, and this CD is solid proof. This is vital stuff, brilliant performances, beautifully recorded and altogether essential listening for anyone with a love of the Nordic fiddle sound. These recordings were all made live, recorded in a church near Oslo, so the ambiance of the performances and the aural space are really wonderful!

Cliff Furnald, cdRoots |US|, December 2002