In the new episode of the Nordics Unveiled, Eldbjørg Hemsing is joined by the exceptional multi-faceted artist Mette Henriette. Norwegian Sami saxophonist, composer and performing artist has been captivating audiences and critiques around the globe – the youngest artist to be signed to the legendary label ECM, Mette’s debut album was also named the “Jazz Record of the year” (Independent).
“Having both Norwegian and Sami roots, this diverse origin taught me a lot about the cultural perspective. In contrast to the Western cultures, indigenous people have nurtured the relationship to the nature in a different way. And here the landscape has profoundly shaped people’s emotional as well as their time perception.” Mette Henriette, The Nordics Unveiled.
An artistic voice of today, Mette Henriette joins Eldbjørg Hemsing for a conversation about her inspiration and connection to the nature in the North, discovery of her Sami heritage and the Nordic sound. “I think all the impressions and experiences that we have and we share here in the North are unique. Nature is certainly one of the big shapers on how to interact with our surroundings. Just looking at the spectrum of emotions, in lightness and light or the darkness. Too frequently it is either negative or positive connotations, instead of being the beauty that can be explored through creative crafts and expression forms”
What is typically Nordic? Norwegian violinist Eldbjørg Hemsing has grown up in a village of Aurdal, in the valley of Valdres, where centuries old folk music tradition had influenced and inspired composers such as Grieg, Ole Bull and Halvorsen. The so called ‘Nordic sound’ is strongly inspired by nature: everything from the northern lights, to the mountains, valleys, and waters. These lyrical, melancholic and often pictorial features also appear in other artistic disciplines. Embark on the journey to the North and join Eldbjørg Hemsing in “The Nordics Unveiled”, exploring the themes of Nordic mythology, folk music, Sami tradition, discovery of forgotten Nordic works in music, philosophy, architecture and nature.
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