Malleus Clericum [CD]

Thomas von Wachenfeldts 2010 album Malleus Clericum HinslÂtar, n‰ckvalser och h‰xdanser (The Clergy Hammer Devil-songs, sprite waltzes, and witch-dances) is a solo violin masterpiece consisting of 25 tracks rooted in traditional Swedish folk music and lore. This album is primarily a listening experience a flight of the imagination rather than for dancing. Despite the lone instrument, the compositions are versatile enough and the playing is so spellbinding that it never grows tedious. From the sinister energy of Dj‰vulspolskan (The Devil's Polska) to the more melancholic interpretations of N‰cklÂtar, which are tunes associated with the mythical water spirit N‰cken. Many of these pieces were originally known as bravurlÂtar (bravura tunes), a term specific to the Swedish musical tradition for songs that showcase not only the fiddler's virtuosity but also his connection to the spirit world. 1. Dj‰vulspolskan (The Devil's Polska) 2. HinslÂtar (Old Nick's Tunes) 3. Satpolskan (The Satan Polska) 4. Fans GÂnglÂt (Satan's Walking Tune) 5. Bonden och Hin HÂle (The Farmer and Old Nick) 6. BlÂkullaf‰rden (The Journey to Brocken) 7. H‰xritten (The Witch Ride) 8. H‰xdansen (The Witch Dance) 9. N‰ckens Polska (The Nix's Polska) 10. N‰ckens Vals (The Nix's Waltz) 11. N‰cken och Spelmannen (The Nix and the Fiddler) 12. Kvarngubben (The Mill Sprite) 13. Trollens Brudmarsch (The Troll's Bridal March) 14. Trollens Ringdans (The Troll's Ring Dance) 15. Trollet och Spelmannen (The Troll and the Fiddler) 16. Trollens LocklÂt (The Troll's Calling Tune) 17. Trollens V‰ckningsvisor (The Troll's Wake-Up Songs) 18. Ekot frÂn Trollbergsdalen (Echoes from Trollbergsdalen) 19. Trolltr‰tan (The Troll Quarrel) 20. Bergakungen (The Mountain King)

• Format Detail: CD
• Format: CD
• Genre: Folk