spunk

Light

"This DVD gives a rare and unique insight into the live experience of one of Norway's most prominent and long standing contemporary improv groups. Commisioned by the Henie Onstad Art Centre for its 40th anniversary in 2008, ”Light” can be seen as an interaction between the art centre's enviroment and the musicians. Free collective improvising is one of the most demanding ways of making music: the pitfalls are many – self-absorption, incoherence, certain standardized “gestures” of free jazz, lack of dynamics, humourlessness – but Spunk are aware of the dangers. Bold, sometimes witty, always alert, they make engaging music, and keep the sound of surprise alive. They have no fear of bringing the music to the brink of anarchy - they are interested in extremes as well as subtleties - but their instincts as composers-in-action also serve them well. Most of all, perhaps, Spunk convince by the force of their own convictions. As Maja Ratkje says: “Music has to be strong. It deals with communication in an extremely direct fashion, within its own language. This is something that makes it vulnerable, but also, potentially, a bearer of great poetic power.” Spunk have several things in common with another Rune Grammofon maiinstain act, Supersilent. Both have been going for more than thirteen years as quartets (Supersilent was recently reduced to a trio) without changing members and both work exclusively with improvised music, in concert as well as on record. Now they are also the two groups on the label that have been presented in concert form on DVD. Maja Ratkje has exceptionally impressive credentials. Her composition teachers have included great contemporary composers like Sofia Gubaidulina, Louis Andriessen, Klaus Huber and Kaija Saariaho, and her own works have won prestigious international prizes. She released her widely acclaimed solo debut ”Voice” in 2002 and her composers portrait ”River Mouth Echoes” on Tzadik in 2008 and together with fellow spunkster Hild Sofie Tafjjord she has been very active with the Fe-mail duo. Lene Grenager studied cello and composition at the Norwegian State Academy of Music. She made additional composition studies in London with Judith Weir and has attended seminars and workshops with composers including Iannis Xenakis, Brian Ferneyhough, Louis Andriessen, Bent Sørensen and more. She is a member of the acclaimed improv quartet Lemur and has a duo with Swedish singer Sofia Jernberg. Hild Sofie Tafjord studied jazz and improvisation at the Norwegian State Academy Of Music and is active as an improviser in several contexts. She is a member of Fe-mail (with Maja), Agrare (with Maja and Lotta Melin) and Lemur (with Lene). She is also doing solo concerts and released her debut solo recording ”Kama” on Picadisk in 2007. Kristin Andersen plays with various jazz orchestras and big bands and is also a composer, her teachers have included Norwegian composers Rolf Wallin, Ragnar Søderlind and Lasse Thoresen. www.spunkmusic.com Maja Solveig Kjelstrup Ratkje: voice, electronics - Kristin Andersen: trumpet Hild Sofie Tafjord: french horn, electronics - Lene Grenager: cello"