Scandinavia House welcomes two legends of the Norwegian music scene, Ivar Bjørnson and Einar Selvik, on Friday, December 9 for a special evening that will introduce New York audiences to BardSpec, a new project from Ivar Bjørnson, and the music of Wardruna, Einar Selvik’s vehicle for showcasing old Norse instruments and musical traditions. This is a once in a lifetime performance, available only at Scandinavia House.
Scandinavia House is proud to be a partner for “New York By Norse,” the second installment of By Norse events—a series significant international events designed to support Norwegian art, music, literature, film and culture abroad. New York was chosen specifically to celebrate Enslaved’s (one of Norway’s most popular metal bands) 25th anniversary with their American fans. For more information on additional New York by Norse events visit bynorse.com.
Ivar Bjørnson’s BardSpec
The evening begins with a performance by BardSpec, the ambient project from Enslaved’s composer/guitarist Ivar Bjørnson. For this special New York by Norse event performance, Ivar Bjørnson will be joined for one song by none other than Gorguts’s mastermind Keven Hufnagel.
BardSpec comprises Ivar, his computer, some keys, a few strings, a pedal or two, a video canon and sometimes even a trapeze artist. The direction is dark, surprisingly rhythmic, and psychedelically hypnotic. In sound and concept, BardSpec is about minimizing, cutting away, subtracting, and meditating upon the simplest essence of things—the basic elements and building blocks that make up the whole.
Workshop with Einar Selvik
The second part of the evening is a workshop with Einar Selvik who will discuss his approach to historical Norse music, the extensive creative concept behind Wardruna´s ongoing Runaljod trilogy, as well as his approach and study of the runes and other esoteric Norse arts.
The workshop will feature a demonstration by Einar of a selection of antiquated Nordic instruments; an acoustic performance of Wardruna’s music, including the newly released 3rd part of the Trilogy Ragnarok; and a Q & A session with the audience.
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Image courtesy of By Norse
FRI—12-9-2016—8 PM
$30 ($25 ASF Members)