Mats Eden has been hailed, by Ale Moller, as the "real leader" of the Swedish folk revival. Eden's drone-fiddle, violin and viola have been at the heart of the music made by the Nordan Project of Moller and Lena Willemark and many other groups. On the first ECM album issued under his own name, Eden plays alone and with flutist Jonas Simonson: "Each of us has in his own way been searching for new means of expression within the range of traditional music. Having deep knowledge of these old methods has given us a secure base from which to explore new artistic possibilities." The timbre and the stark beauty of the old music also informs Eden's contemporary compositions, such as his String Quartet No. 1, played here by the distinguished Cikada Quartet. Recorded 1997 Personnel: Mats Edn - (drone-fiddle, violin, viola), Jonas Simonson - (flute, alto flute), The Cikada Quartet
S**L
Swedish Chamber Folk
This is one of these 'tricky to categorise' ECM releases. Mats Eden, as composer and performer, uses traditional folk music as the basis for 'development' (improvisation?). What this means for this cd is that there are a number of short (2-5 minute) pieces with Mats either playing his 'drone fiddle' solo, or as a duet with Jonas Simonson on flute. The drone-fiddle has five resonating strings, which can give a wonderfully earthy timbre to his playing (though at times gives a fleeting suggestion of the windharp on Garbarek's 'Dis' album).The major piece here is a string quartet, which despite its folk roots/influences, appears as an interesting and complex piece of modern chamber music, played in their usual impeccable fashion by the Cikada String Quartet. Of the shorter pieces, the Polska and 'Beata Virgine' duets with Simonson, and Eden's solo work on 'Vardag', his 'Variations' and the wonderfully atmospheric 'Backahasten' (the water-spirit) are the most immediately appealing pieces. Music from leftfield certainly, but worth exploring.
R**R
Snap It Up
Not much to add to the previous reviewer. The two principals are masters. At this price this (presumably-overlooked) lovely little disc is a steal.
