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Halm, strå, bambus og sykkelvaier
(Stubble, straw, bamboo and bicycle brake wire)
by Anders Rønningen, with valuable contribution from many of his musical friends on Madagascar,
is probably the most exotic Christmas release this year.
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«I have enjoyed myself making this album a few late nights at Christmas time in 2013 at Antsirabe, Madagascar, where I have been so fortunate to live and work for a while.
It can be challenging to produce Christmas spirit when poverty is leaning against the wall outside, begging for food. Perhaps this has lowered the level of ambition and my willingness to gloss polish the music. I do not think it matters. The Christmas message might be even clearer. My Christmas dogma – and my hope for this recording – is that the simple, spontaneous, down to earth and maybe a little rusty sound will impart a Christmas feeling that does not conceal the real story that happened on the fields of Bethlehem in all its unthinkability: There, in a poor and dusty city – perhaps it was a bit like in Antsirabe – Jesus was born and laid on stubble and straw.
The main instrument on this recording is «Valiha», which is a Malagasy instrument made of bamboo and bicycle brake wire.
I think it’s a nice connection there, and therefore named this Cristmas Cd: ”Stubble, straw, bamboo and bicycle brake wire”. And with this, I wish you a great Christmas.
The product may contain traces of dust.»
Anders Rønningen
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Arrangements and all instruments (Valiha, guitar, kabosy, korintsana, amponga): Anders Rønningen
Technician: Toky AR
Studio: «Lovasoa Sound», which is part of L4C, Antsirabe, Madagascar. www.lovasoa.mg
Many thanks to the singers and Choir: Hege Magnusson, Liv Stavnes Mevatne, Nils Kristian Høimyhr, Jean Revoma Maksera, Toky, Anders Rønningen and Chorale Militaire LOVA
Mastering: Terje Baugerød
This recording supports The Norwegian Mission Society ”worthy life – lasting hope”.
Read about NMS at www.nms.no
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A short presentation of Anders Rønningen:
Anders Rønningen is a Norwegian composer, arranger, ethnomusicologist, music researher and guitarist. He has lived and worked several years in Madagascar and speak the language and knows the culture very well. He also plays valiha, which is the national instrument of Madagascar.
He has lead several collaboration project between musicians and choirs from Norway, ;Madagascar and other countries, and contributed as a musician/produces/arranger in several of these. IN 2004, the album «Avtrykk» was released after a project where malagasy choirs sang well known psalms together with the Norwegian artist Kari Iveland. In 2008 he worked with the choir «Malaïka» from Cameroon, and composed together with the famous Norwegian writer and artist Ole Paus the work: «God´s Dream». This was written for female voices, string quartet, african choir and valiha, and has been performed several times.
As for now he is working free lance as composer/artist and is preparing his PhD at the Norwegian Academy of Music.
Label no: HZ7-004
RELEASE DATE: 1. november 2014