New album: SKRUK – Frode Fjellheim

SKRUK & FRODE FJELLHEIM
Vaerieh mov aalhtarinie - My altar is the mountain

The press release from Kirkelig kulturverksted says:

In April, something new happened in Volda church. The choir SKRUK and Frode Fjellheim met to record an album with music from three corners of the world: hymns from houses of worship and churches, joik from Sapmi and tango from Argentina. The last category is represented by bandoneonist Åsbjørg Ryeng. She was invited to join the project by Frode Fjellheim. He wanted to add a third dimension to a meeting between the choir and the joik he himself performs on the album. In addition, the percussionist and vocalist Snorre Bjerck participates.

Composer and musician Frode Fjellheim has, over a number of years, stood out as one of our foremost tradition-bearers and innovators of Sami music - both through bands such as Transjoik and as a composer of works commissioned for, festivals, theatres and films. He also achieved great international success when he composed the opening song "Vuelie" for the Disney hit "Frozen".

The choir SKRUK celebrates 50 years this year, all the while under the charismatic leadership of conductor Per Oddvar "Prots" Hildre. In all their years they have been among the country's most high-profile choirs, and particularly distinguished themselves with their interpretations of religious folk tunes, but also for their many collaborations with musicians from other musical cultures.

- I have followed SKRUK with deep respect for many years, says Frode Fjellheim. - They are a choir with a genuine spark and ability to reach out to a broad audience. They bring with them the experience of the conductor over an impressively long period and it gives something you can't find anywhere else. A genuine musical soul that hits people - regardless of language barriers or other differences, and for me, who has worked mostly with women's choirs in the past, it has been exciting to compose music for a mixed choir, says Fjellheim, and SKRUK's conductor Per Oddvar Hildre add:

- I don't like to use the word "skilled" about musicians, so for me Frode is a good musician. He is able to strip down the music, and is no poser.

The initiative for the collaboration was taken by SKRUK, originally it was supposed to happen already a couple of years ago, but the pandemic put a damper on the wheels - right up until now. In April, they went into the studio to record the material for the album, which will be released during the Olavsfest festival on July 28th, the same day that SKRUK and Frode Fjellheim have their opening concert for the festival in the Nidaros Cathedral.

The album contains both completely newly written music and previous material written by Fjellheim, but adapted to SKRUK's powerful sound. The recording was made by Alf Christian Hvidsteen. Producers are Frode Fjellheim and Erik Hillestad.