Norwegian Export

The kravik lyre and tagelharpa resounded proudly in northern Europe just a few centuries ago, but the names now mean little to fans of contemporary popular music. When the Norwegian government announced a competition for a brand new composition commemorating the two hundredth anniversary of the country’s constitution, it was the perfect opportunity to bring the instruments back. Ivar Bjørnson rose to fame as the guitarist of the black-metal band Enslaved inspired by Nordic mythology, while Einar Selvik leads Wardruna – an ensemble using ancient Nordic instruments. The two have joined forces in the concert piece Skuggsjá (translating as mirror, reflection), and the collaboration proved to be so successful that in the three years that followed they went on to produce two albums developing the historical motifs. We will hear music from both of them at Studio on 8 February. (Bartosz Suchecki, “Karnet”)