Peaceful landscapes

The winds of nostalgia blow through this CD of traditional songs from Switzerland and Norway. If this music speaks true, if it knows how to touch, it's because it goes straight to the heart of the matter, without fuss or detours. Gry Elisabeth Knudsen picks out this anthology with a clear, well-stamped voice. The singer gently takes us by the hand to show us landscapes from which concrete, violence and bluster are excluded. And it feels good! But make no mistake, this album is completely rooted in today. Firstly, because these songs are timeless. Secondly, because Gry Knudsen doesn't play museum guard. The pizzicati of the precise and musical Thomas Blätter provide a welcome counterpoint to the soprano. Was Saint-Saëns talking about an elephant? The double bassist plays it feline. Behind his vibraphone, Erich Fischer dresses up the melodies with colorful harmonies. He fully respects the essence of the folklore, but the addition of foreign notes, accent shifts and a light swing give a subtle light to this concert. It's a concert that's sure to thrill folklore fans, provided they're not sectarian. A CD that will also appeal to jazz afficionados and classical music lovers for whom a return to the roots is not synonymous with boredom set in stone.