Høst – Fuglesang (GO’ Danish Folk Music GO0623, 2023)
The highly anticipated release concert for Høst’s latest album, “Fuglesang,” took place on March 19th at Frølageret in Odense, Denmark. In accordance with a Danish proverb, which asserts that “Every bird sings with its own beak,” a considerable portion of the songs featured on this remarkable album pay homage to nature and the intricate tapestry of life on our beloved Mother Earth.
Drawing inspiration from the melodious tunes of birds, mouth music (singing without words), traditional folk narratives, and the pulsating rhythms of age-old dances, Høst delves deep into the realm of vocal harmonies. The ensemble unearths the myriad possibilities that reside within the fusion of their four distinct voices. Their fervent aspiration is to ignite within their listeners a sense of curiosity regarding the immense power encapsulated within their own vocal cords, urging them to fearlessly unleash their individual musical expression.
The vocal group Høst derived its name from the surname of its visionary founding member, Lene Høst, who aimed to fashion a sonorous playground firmly grounded in the Nordic folk music tradition. Linguistically, “Høst” corresponds to “autumn” in Swedish and “harvest” in Danish, both of which embody the essence of the group’s artistic vision. The songs showcased on this album symbolize the fruitful culmination of two years spent singing together as a unified quartet. Many of these compositions have been gleaned from the rich tapestry of Nordic ballads and folk songs, while a select few have sprouted as newly crafted melodies and lyrical expressions along their collective journey.
It is worth noting that every musical arrangement featured on this album has been skillfully crafted by the talented members of Høst, namely Lene Høst, Liv Vester Larsen, Maja Aarøe Freese, and Filippa Westerberg.
By virtue of their unwavering dedication to their musical pursuits and their artful integration of diverse influences, Høst’s “Fuglesang” emerges as a testament to the enduring beauty and power of vocal expression in the realm of folk music.
Buy Fuglesang.
Author: Angel Romero
Angel Romero y Ruiz has dedicated his life to musical exploration. His efforts included the creation of two online portals, worldmusiccentral.org and musicasdelmundo.com. In addition, Angel is the co-founder of the Transglobal World Music Chart, a panel of world music DJs and writers that celebrates global sounds. Furthermore, he delved into the record business, producing world music studio albums and compilations. His works have appeared on Alula Records, Ellipsis Arts, Indígena Records and Music of the World.