Arianna Savall: soprano, romanesque harp, gothic harp, kravik lyre
Petter Udland Johansen: tenor, viele, hardingfele, kravik lyre
Tristan Driessens: oud, soprano oud, lavta
Derya Türkan: kemençe
Efrén López: wheel fiddle, oud, lavta, medieval lute, Afghan rabab, Cretan laouto, soprano oud, percussion
David Mayoral: percussion, bells, santur
Bridging Worlds, from Nordic Sagas to Eastern Mysticism
Since time immemorial, music and poetry have been the bridge between cultures, a universal language that transcends borders and unites hearts. Looking for New Horizons is a musical journey spanning from the rugged fjords of Norway to the mystical lands of the Ottoman Empire—a journey through time and sound, echoing the steps of medieval travelers, pilgrims, poets, and minstrels who once wandered these paths.
At the heart of this odyssey stand Arianna Savall, with her celestial soprano voice, harp, and lyre, Petter Udland Johansen, whose tenor voice, traditional violin, Hardanger fiddle, guiterne, and lyra embody the spirit of the Norsemen and Tristan Driessens whose musicianship has profound ability to build bridges between musical genres. Together with Derya Türkan’s haunting kemençe, they embark on a journey that transcends boundaries and eras.
In an age when a voyage from Scandinavia to the eastern Mediterranean could take months, even years, there was time to listen, to learn, to absorb the melodies and stories of the lands along the way. Each stop along this journey brings with it a new landscape, a new soundscape—a tapestry woven from the traditions of the North, the Flemish lands, the courts of France, the bustling streets of Spain, the poetic heart of Italy, and the mesmerizing shores of the Mediterranean. These lands, though diverse, share a deep-rooted connection: an artistic expression that speaks to the human spirit, an unspoken dialogue carried by the winds of time.
Throughout history, music has been more than mere entertainment; it has been a vessel of storytelling, a bridge between the earthly and the divine. In this program, we travel not only through geographical spaces but also through the realms of the sacred and the profane. The legendary Rolandskvadet recounts the heroism and sacrifice of medieval Norway, while the refined elegance of Je ne cuit pas by Guillaume de Machaut encapsulates the delicate interplay between longing and devotion. The yearning of the troubadour Jaufre Rudel’s Lanquan li jorn son lonc e may speaks of distant love, just as the mystical poetry of Rûmî, set to music in La mer et la pierre, invites us to immerse ourselves in divine love and transformation.
Intertwined with these narratives are the evocative instrumental pieces from the Ottoman tradition, such as Kurdi Pesrevi, Rast Pesrevi, and Nivahend & Rast Murassa. These compositions serve as portals into the rich musical heritage of the East, where melody and rhythm unfold like an intricate mosaic. Alongside them, the medieval ballads På Dovrefjell and Het regent zeer preserve the echoes of past voices, while Quando i oselli and La bionda trecca transport us to the lyrical beauty of Italy’s early polyphony.
This album is a testament to the timeless interplay between cultures—between Orient and Occident, between the mystical landscapes of the North and the shimmering courts of the East. It recalls the wonder of A Thousand and One Nights, where each tale reveals another world, another horizon to be explored. It reminds us that art, like magic, has the power to shift our consciousness, to guide us toward new perspectives and deeper understandings. Through this journey, we invite you to listen not only with …
May this music be a passage to new horizons—both within and beyond
17 March 2025, Arianna Savall, Petter Udland Johansen and Tristan Driessens
