SKRUK & Frode Fjellheim - SKRUK & Frode Fjellheim // Mitt alter er fjellet (My altar is the mountains) - Vaerieh mov aalhtarinie

New CD: Mitt alter er fjellet (My altar is the mountains) - Vaerieh mov aalhtarinie

Frode Fjellheim and SKRUK have created a vibrant album where Saami music, hymns, church music and Argentine tango meet. 

In April something new happened in Volda Church. SKRUK and Frode Fjellheim met there to record an album with music from three corners of the world: hymns from the prayer house and church, joik from Sápmi and tango from Argentina. The last category is presented by Åsbjørg Ryeng, the bandoneon virtuoso. She was invited to join the project by Frode Fjellheim as he wanted to add a third dimension to the meeting of choir and joik that he performs on the record. You will also hear Snorre Bjerck, the percussionist and singer on the album.

Frode Fjellheim, composer and musician, has made a name for himself for years as one of the foremost tradition-bearers and interpreters of Saami music – through such bands as Transjoik and as composer of commissioned works for Festspillene i Nord-Norge (the True Northern Arts Festival). He also gained great international success for composing the opening song “Vuelie” for the Disney success “Frost”.

The SKRUK choir, celebrating its 50th anniversary this year, has always been under the charismatic leadership of the conductor Per Oddvar “Prots” Hildre. For all these years they have been one of Norway’s most outstanding choirs, particularly distinguishing themselves with their interpretations of religious folk music, but also through their collaboration with musicians from other music cultures.  

The album features not only earlier material written by Fjellheim, but also new material particularly suitable for the powerful sound of SKRUK. The recording is by Alf Christian Hvidsteen. The producers are Frode Fjellheim and Erik Hillestad.

FXCD 497

Mitt alter er fjellet - Vaerieh mov aalhtarinie (My altar is the mountains)

SKRUK and Frode Fjellheim

KKV 2023