The flute occupies a singular space in musical history, existing simultaneously as a rustic tool of the wilderness and a refined instrument of the court. On ‘Moder’, the Henriette Eilertsen Trio navigates this vast lineage with an intelligence that bypasses mere revivalism. Eilertsen, alongside cellist Joel Ring and drummer Øystein Aarnes Vik, constructs a soundscape where ancient resonance meets contemporary abstraction, creating a record that feels anchored in the earth yet untethered from specific temporal constraints.
The album opens with “Fly Ikaros,” a piece that immediately highlights the trio’s fluid chemistry. Eilertsen’s tone is commanding but never overbearing, leading a harmonic conversation that Ring’s cello grounds with rich, resonant undercurrents. Vik’s percussion is notable for its restraint; he provides a shifting, rhythmic pulse that breathes alongside the melodic lines rather than dictating a rigid tempo. This sense of organic growth continues through “Meeting Joyce”, where the interaction becomes more intimate, suggesting a chamber-music sensibility filtered through a modern improvisational lens.
A significant expansion of the trio’s palette occurs with the appearance of Jon Balke. On “Medieval + Moren,” his contributions on keys and percussion introduce a timeless, uncompromising texture that fits seamlessly into the group’s ethos. This same collaboration feels particularly potent on the brief, kinetic “Raka Blakk,” where the ensemble leans into a more percussive, dense arrangement. Balke returns on “Kulturistisk inngang,” providing a sophisticated harmonic layer that elevates the piece into a widescreen, almost architectural exploration of space.
The trio’s ability to conjure atmosphere is perhaps most evident on “So ro” and “Tretakt”. These tracks demonstrate a profound understanding of volume and shadow. Eilertsen treats the flute as a narrator, sometimes whispering from the periphery and at other times asserting a central, melodic presence. The inclusion of subtle electronic processing by Ring adds a contemporary sheen to the acoustic foundation, a technique that reaches a peak of delicate beauty on “Botanisk vinterhage,” where the music seems to mimic the quiet, crystalline stillness of a winter landscape.
As the record nears its conclusion with the expansive “Darn Den Draumen” and the final “Lokk”, the thematic weight of the title ‘Moder’ becomes clear. There is a nurturing quality to these compositions, a sense of “mother-earthly” grounding that balances the ensemble’s more experimental tendencies. The music does not strive for the avant-garde for its own sake; instead, it seeks a deeper resonance with the listener’s subconscious. Eilertsen has successfully translated her historical instrument into a future-facing language, delivering a debut for the trio that is as intellectually stimulating as it is emotionally generous.
For more information, please visit Henriette Eilertsen | Motvind Records |
Bandcamp.
