Vannstand by Maja S. K. Ratkje
’Vannstand’ (Sea Level) is a tribute to the slowly pulsating tidal shifts along the length of the Norwegian coastline. In Vannstand children are given the opportunity to reflect and respond musically to their relationship with the coast, the water and the sea.
The composer, Maja S. K. Ratkje states: "What could be more natural than kids making sounds as part of a composition that’s about our own future?"
Ratkje has been an outspoken voice on environmental issues for years. Vannstand is a continuation of this commitment where she unites new music and the inheritors of our planet. She uses local sea level measurements to create scores, which in turn are interpreted musically by children. She has done a tremendous job editing their contributions into a multidimensional piece that balances tension, clearity, beauty and playfulness.
One would imagine a piece regarding such enormous concepts as tidal waves (generated by the Moon's gravitational pulls) and changes in sea levels (affected by weather systems and climate changes) being a rather loud and harsh affair. Maybe this insinuation is connected to the impressive body of work she has done with noise music. Vannstand is in any case filled with subtle and precise fragments of grand dramas and sweet melodies. Over eight movements, the music is growing with close interplay and sudden shifts. The sound mix, based on 8 channel sound installations, is exquisite, obviously done by the composer.
The life-giving sea has been the basis for growth and development, and now human influence is changing the seemingly eternal cycle along the Norwegian coast.
Ratkje: "Sometimes you find yourself playing something that grows stronger and stronger, or sounds bigger and bigger. Sea levels may rise significantly, or just a bit, but they WILL rise."
The installations Vannstand was produced by nyMusikk.
Tracklist
| 1. | Vannstand - Bergen A | 4:08 |
| 2. | Vannstand - Harstad A | 2:07 |
| 3. | Vannstand - Bergen B | 5:32 |
| 4. | Vannstand - Stavanger A | 6:54 |
| 5. | Vannstand - Harstad B | 4:36 |
| 6. | Vannstand - Stavanger B | 9:32 |
| 7. | Vannstand - Harstad C | 3:10 |
| 8. | Vannstand - Oslo | 3:13 |
Credits
Recorded, mixed and mastered by Maja S. K. Ratkje, Oslo, Bergen, Harstad, Stavanger, Svartskog.
Cover art by Frida Helene Haltli: “Verden og alt vi har hviler på barna våre”
Sleeve design by Egil Kalman.
Motvind Records.
License
All rights reserved.Tags
“Anyone who has seen or heard Ratkje perform live will know what a superb musician she is, and one who can genuinely be said to be extending the expressive range of the voice through technical and technological means. Her work is celebratory and inclusive, an energising rallying call to those who are curious enough to peek out from behind the curtain of mainstream mediocrity.”
-The Wire
ratkje.com