Himlen Har Sove Bort Mørkret

Sigrid Moldestad is highly respected for her fiddle and Hardanger playing, not to mention her singing. For years she’s been at the heart of the Norwegian folk tradition, winning prizes and awards, playing with Liv Merete Kroken in her duo Spindel and collaborating with such important bands as Gamaltnymalt. But Moldestad is not one to be typecast: among her many achievements she has received an award from one of Norway’s most prestigious jazz festivals, Vossajazz; she has appeared on stage as Edith Piaf; and she is also a presenter and broadcaster with a natural gift for communication.

It’s this articulacy that’s at the heart of this CD. Gathering a collection of the finest musicians around her (including guests of the calibre of Nordic Fiddlers Bloc) she sings heartfelt, witty, sad and beautiful songs in her pure, clear voice, telling stories for the listeners she respects so much. There are traditional songs, her own compositions and a penchant for Robert Burns in evidence too.

A memorable and moving ending to the album comes in the form of ‘Vaknevise', for which Sigrid wrote both the words and music. It’s a mysterious ‘wake-up lullbye’ haunted by Sigbjørn Apeland’s harmonium and Moldestad’s gentle autoharp, leaving us wanting more from this magical combination of musicians.