Mats Eden - Milvus (1999)

Mats Eden has been hailed, by Ale Moller, as the "real leader" of the Swedish folk revival. Eden's drone-fiddle, violin and viola have been at the heart of the music made by the Nordan Project of Moller and Lena Willemark and many other groups. On the first ECM album issued under his own name, Eden plays alone and with flutist Jonas Simonson: "Each of us has in his own way been searching for new means of expression within the range of traditional music. Having deep knowledge of these old methods has given us a secure base from which to explore new artistic possibilities." The timbre and the stark beauty of the old music also informs Eden's contemporary compositions, such as his String Quartet No. 1, played here by the distinguished Cikada Quartet.

Tracklist:

01. Havang
02. Polska efter Artbergs Kalle Karlstrom
03. Stegen pa taket -Polska efter Lejsme Per Larsson
04. Variation I
05. Septemberljus
06. Den lyckliga (Beate Virgine)
07. Norafjalls - Efter Torleiv Bjorgum
08. Vardag
09. Variation 2
10. Backahasten
11. Sjoraets polska - Efter Olof Schyman
12. Spillet
13. String Quartet No 1 - Andante Comodo
14. String Quartet No 1 - Presto Giocoso
15. String Quartet No 1 - Lento Tranquillo

Personnel:

Mats Edén - drone-fiddle, violin, viola
Jonas Simonson - flute, alto flute
The Cikada Quartet