Christian Wallumrød Ensemble - Outstairs (2013) [Hi-Res]

The ensemble of Christian Wallumrød continues to evolve in its own idiosyncratic way on Outstairs. By now, Wallumrød’s compositional signature is instantly recognizable. Nobody else writes pieces like this – multi-dimensional chamber music inspired by the sonorities of Norwegian folk and church music, influenced by early music and the post-Cage avant-garde, and liberated by jazz’s freedom of thought. This time around, the ensemble members share the arranging credits between them, making the music still more organic and flexible as new sound combinations emerge.
“The immense sonic resources of these players seem to keep on growing” noted The Guardian of their last release, “Fabula Suite Lugano”, and the ensemble of Christian Wallumrød continues to evolve in its own idiosyncratic way on “Outstairs”. By now, Wallumrød’s compositional signature is instantly recognizable. Nobody else writes pieces like this – multi-dimensional chamber music inspired by the sonorities of Norwegian folk and church music, influenced by early music and the post-Cage avant-garde, and liberated by jazz’s freedom of thought. This time around, the ensemble members share the arranging credits between them, making the music still more organic and flexible. New sound combinations emerge, but the genre, the idiom, remains uniquely Wallumrød’s.
Like “Fabula Suite Lugano”, “Outstairs” was produced by Manfred Eicher and recorded at the Auditorio RSI in Lugano, Switzerland. The studio’s naturally clear acoustic sound also contributes to the musical outcome: in Wallumrød’s music, often built of small gestures rather than dramatic flourishes, acute listening is of paramount importance.
'..with this latest salvo his creations have never sounded more bewitching and elusive (..) the luminescent sound of the group is practically enough to dazzle the ears for hours.' (Peter Margesak, Downbeat)
'...a music that is, by turns, of the head and heart, celebratory and mocking (..) Is it jazz? No. It's music that makes its own space.' (Ray Comiskey, Irish Times)

Christian Wallumrød, piano, harmonium, toy piano
Eivind Lønning, trumpet
Gjermund Larsen, violin, hardanger fiddle, viola
Espen Reinertsen, tenor saxophone
Tove Törngren, cello
Per Oddvar Johansen, drums, vibraphone

Tracklist:
1.01 - Christian Wallumrød Ensemble - Stille Rock (9:17)
1.02 - Christian Wallumrød Ensemble - Bunadsbangla (8:20)
1.03 - Christian Wallumrød Ensemble - Tridili #2 (3:45)
1.04 - Christian Wallumrød Ensemble - Very Slow (6:51)
1.05 - Christian Wallumrød Ensemble - Startic (2:32)
1.06 - Christian Wallumrød Ensemble - Beatknit (6:30)
1.07 - Christian Wallumrød Ensemble - Folkskiss (3:23)
1.08 - Christian Wallumrød Ensemble - Third Try (3:40)
1.09 - Christian Wallumrød Ensemble - Ornament (3:45)
1.10 - Christian Wallumrød Ensemble - Outstairs (2:31)
1.11 - Christian Wallumrød Ensemble - Exp (5:33)