The members of Meta4 play on notable instruments, including a Stradivarius violin, a Carlo Bergonzi violin, and a cello made by Lorenzo Storioni of Cremona in 1780.
Composer Biography
Krishna Nagaraja, the composer and performer on this album, has a diverse musical background, including baroque violin and viola, Irish, Scottish, Breton, and Nordic folk music, and even beatboxing.
Instruments
The Hardanger fiddle, or hardingfele, is a Norwegian folk instrument with sympathetic strings running underneath the fingerboard, which vibrate to create a unique, captivating sound.
Performer Biography
Meta4, the Finnish string quartet performing on this album, is an internationally successful ensemble that won first prizes in the International Shostakovich Quartet Competition (2004) and the International Joseph Haydn Chamber Music Competition (2007).
Compositional Technique
The Hardanger fiddle's almost flat bridge makes single-string playing difficult, favoring a multiple-voice style that allows it to be a self-accompanying solo instrument.
Composer's Artistic Vision
Composer Krishna Nagaraja's compositions on this album combine local Norwegian traditions with stories from abroad, seeking new, itinerant, and ever-changing musical spaces.
Recording & Production
This album, "Tales from Norway," is Krishna Nagaraja's first release as a composer and solo performer.
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