NILS ØKLAND BAND
Nils Økland (Hardanger fiddle/violin/viola d'amore)
has gained an international reputation for his innovative playing style
DATES april 20-26 and 12-18 october 2020
On the album 'Lysning', the Nils Økland Band's first for the Hubro label, the musicians have merged even more successfully into an ensemble. The various musical voices are matched even better than before, and the result is instrumental music with drive, great depth and broad appeal.
Nils Økland (Hardanger fiddle/violin/viola d'amore) has gained an international reputation for his innovative playing style. The solo albums he has released on the ECM and Rune Grammofon labels have garnered rave reviews. Økland has guested
with several leading orchestras, has written music for the London Sinfonietta, films, ballets and theatre, and has played on records by Christian Wallumrød, Arve Henriksen, Åsne Valland Nordli and Bjørnar Andresen.
Lysning: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qp6d8jHzIRI
Some of the foremost musicians in Norway are part of the Nils Økland Band: Rolf-Erik Nystrøm (saxophone), Sigbjørn Apeland (harmonium), Håkon Mørch Stene (percussion)and Mats Eilertsen (double bass). All of the melodic material on 'Lysning' was composed by Økland, and it was drawn from several projects in which he is involved. The arrangements were developed in close collaboration with the band. Økland does not use written musical notes - all of the pieces are rehearsed by ear. "Our verbal working method might come into its own even more strongly this time," says Økland. It is not difficult to agree with him: an audible sense of boldness and a powerful presence are palpable through the entire album.
'Lysning' is an album that both challenges the listener and digs deeply into exciting musical material.
Nils Økland - hardanger fiddle/violin/viola d’amore, Rolf-Erik Nystrøm (saxofon), Sigbjørn Apeland (harmonicum), Håkon Mørch Stene (drums), Mats Eilertsen (upright bass)
Drøm (Dream): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AyCuDa7IRk8
