Friday, February 14, 2020 — 5:30pm
Scandinavian Medieval Ballads and Beyond
Program:
Ballads are narrative songs. It is hard to pinpoint the exact origin of them as they have traveled far and wide. Versions of the same ballad can often be found all over Europe, in North America as well as in the Middle East and Asia.
The Wedding Guest – A medieval ballad from Finland
Two young lovers are separated and then reunited just in time before the young woman marries someone else.
La Blance Biche – A traditional ballad from France
This French ballad tells a story of a young girl who is transformed into a deer each night.
Sir Olof – A medieval ballad from Norway/Sweden
Sir Olof rides out one night and meets the daughter of the Elfin King.
Rescued by his Lady I – A traditional ballad from Scotland
This is the first part of a story about a young man who is put in the tower accused of having stolen a horse, he writes to his lady to come to his rescue.
Rescued by his Lady II – A traditional ballad from USA
In this second part of the story the young man’s lady begs the king to free her beloved.
Rescued by his Lady III – A medieval ballad from Finland
In this last part the young man’s fiancé fights the king’s men and frees her beloved.
Rosilia – A medieval ballad from Finland
Rosilia is thrown out of the house when her mother discovers she is expecting a child. However, it turns out he father of the child is the King who gladly marries Rosilia, and so they live happily ever after.
Scott and Johanna are a duo who perform early traditional Scandinavian/Celtic ballads and tales.
Their wanderings have led them from Finland and Iowa respectively – through Europe, Scandinavia, India, and the U.S. On the way they have picked up tales and songs that they perform together with the stories behind them, in particular exploring the links between Scandinavian, Celtic, North American and other story singing traditions.
Their performances have been described as magical, inspiring, haunting, mesmerizing …
“… the Hongell-Darsees summon ancient characters from the depths of our collective unconscious and bid you take leave of the modern world and join your ancestors, huddled together in a hut around a fire as the storyteller makes the hair on your arms stand straight up.” (Mel Minter, Musically Speaking, Albuquerque, NM)
Their CDs have been nominated for 2 New Mexico Music Awards and their songs can also be found on numerous traditional music compilations.
After relocating to New Mexico from Scandinavia in 2001, Scott and Johanna have performed all over the U.S. at festivals, theatres, arts councils, universities, schools, libraries, and live broadcasts including:
• Provincetown Playhouse and Scandinavia House, NYC
• Outpost Performance Space with AMP Concerts, Albuquerque, NM
• Folk Festivals: Traditional Music Society, Los Angeles, CA; and Albuquerque, NM
• Scandinavian Festivals: Estes Park, CO; Atlanta, GA; Los Angeles, CA; Thousand Oaks, CA; and Lindsborg, KS
• Storytelling Festivals: Los Angeles, CA; Four Corners, NM; Taos, NM; and Albuquerque, NM
• Universities: NYU; UNM, ENMU, San Juan College and College of Santa Fe, NM; UA; Coe College, IA
• NPR Affiliates, KUNM, KSFR, WFHB
• New Mexico Humanities Council – Inducted as scholars in 2005
Johanna (vocals, woodwinds, stringed instruments, research, translation, arrangements) was born in Finland. Apart from music she has a background in theater and dance. She studied theater in France and Bharata Natyam dance in India. She has worked as a performing artist for over 30 years in Scandinavia, Europe, India and USA.
Scott (stringed instruments, arrangements, composer) was born in USA. Before relocating to New Mexico, he spent 16 years in Europe, where parallel to his artistic work he worked as a therapist at ballet companies such as Dance Theatre of Harlem, London Festival Ballet, English National Ballet, Royal Danish Ballet and Hamburg Ballet, and also taught at Danish State School of Modern Dance.