Six years after their previous album, Gjermund Larsen Trio finally releases their long-awaited sequel, Toyen Sessions. The album was conceived as early as 2019, but was first recorded in its entirety in Toyenkirka, January 2023. As the church has been the trio's rehearsal space since its inception in2005, this release is definitely on home ground.
Gjermund Larsen is without a doubt one of Norway's most famous and beloved folk musicians, who with his playful and passionate iddle playing has captured listeners far beyond the traditional folk music audience.
The trio, which consists of Gjermund Larsen (fiddle), Andreas Utnem (piano) and Sondre Meisfjord(double bass), has since its first release in 2008 achieved praise,rave reviews and several awards, including both Spellemannprisen in 2008 (The Norwegian Grammy Awards), German phonographic critics award (2015) and TONO's composer award (2016).
Toyen Sessions takes you on a journey through both the day and the year with its beginning Morgenslatt/ Morning Song, via April, Sankthansvals/ Midsummer Waltz, to Kveldsvals/ Evening Waltz. The pieces are beautifully and exquisitely played by the trio who once again show their unique ability for interaction, dynamics and playfulness.
Gjermund Larsen's warm and moving compositions give insight to the time he has been through in recent years, such as the elated April that was written when the lockdown in 2020 was over and his four children could finally return to school and kindergarten.
On the album you will also find Vintermarsj/ Winter March, a commissioned piece for the WinterFestival in Bergstaden, which is intended to be played every year during the festival.
