Urðarmáni og uppvakningar - Máninn líður - Icelandic folk songs and songs

Máninn líður is a trio of vocalist Anna Jónsdottír (Reykjavik), with thorough experience in performing a wide range of Icelandic songs, Ute Völker (Wuppertal), one of the most original improvising artists on the accordion, and pianist-composer-improviser Ursel Schlicht, who has initiated this collaboration during her outstanding project SonicExchange in Kassel in 2012.

They have since then created personal interpretations of ancient Icelandic folklore and of newer songs, notably compositions by Jon Leifs. The open and archaic character of the songs offer a fascinating spectrum of interpretation. Accordion and grand piano both use an unusual palette of sonorities to create imaginative landscapes and add new layers to the composed melodies. The arrangements of the songs contain passages of improvisation, shaping and reinforcing the poetry of the songs.

This trio´s deeply felt sonic creations, give personality and depth to historic material that has for a long time been part of the canon of Icelands culture.