CD ECM Records Ketil Bjornstad, Svante Henryson: Night Song

2013

Ketil Bjornstad - pian
Svante Henryson - violoncel

On “Night Song”, recorded in Oslo in 2009, Bjørnstad has a musical partner well-versed in chamber music but who is also an artistic polymath. Svaente Henryson’s classical credentials include four years as bassist with the Oslo Philharmonic and two years as principal bassist with the Norwegian Chamber Orchestra. As cellist he currently works in duos and trios with distinguished classical musicians including pianists Roland Pöntinen and Bengt Forsberg, clarinettist Martin Fröst, mezzo-soprano Anne Sofie von Otter and baritone Mikael Samuelson. Henryson’s also a composer of music for vocal and instrumental ensembles of all sizes and his extensive work list includes concertos for cello and bass, choral compositions, chamber pieces. Four of the compositions on “Night Song” are from his pen. ECM listeners first heard Henryson as a member of Jon Balke’s Magnetic North Orchestra on “Kyanos” (2001). In jazz contexts, he has also played in diverse formations with Tord Gustavsen, Marilyn Mazur, Nils Petter Molvaer, Arild Andersen and others. Henryson previously recorded with Ketil Bjornstad on “Seafarer’s Song” (Emarcy Records). His border-crossing forays into the worlds of pop and rock include song-writing collaboration with Elvis Costello, apperances on albums with Stevie Wonder and Ryan Adams, and a 3-year stint as bass guitarist with Yngwie Malmsteen’s hard rock band.


„Night Song“ begins with the evening version of “Night Song” and ends with the morning version of “Night Song”. The drama that takes place in between is peaceful, glorious, and gracefully played out on memorable pieces like “Reticence”, “Schubert Said”, “Share”, “Own”, “Sheen” and “Tar”. Somber but grateful, joyful but sad, happy but with regrets, sweet but with sorrowful memories, and finally acceptance of life with night’s warm embrance and our deliverance in our endless dreams for the coming morning.
Jean-Keith Fagon, Hill Rag

„Night Song“ does tell a fantastic story. It is the soundtrack to the tales we create as dreams.
Greg Barbrick, Blogcritics