Midgard by La Mandragore

Tireless seafarers, the Vikings roamed and traded across the known world from Iceland to the Mediterranean Sea, flourishing as a culture, creating mythical stories, and influencing a number of European traditions.
La Mandragore, a historical five-member ensemble from Quebec, Canada, imagines the music of the Vikings had they had the time and leisure to no-tate it. Playing folk instruments from the Mediterranean and Scandinavian regions, and singing songs and tales in Swedish, Norwegian, Old Norse, and French, the ensemble presents an authentic and eclectic collection of Viking-inspired music on their debut Big Round Records release, MIDGARD.
The title of the album, the Norse word for “middle-earth,” emphasizes the traditions and stories of the Scandinavian culture, with music setting ancient Scandinavian dances such as the polska and halling in pieces like Alexs Pol-ska and Seans Dancer, as well as folklore and stories about warriors (Kassias Saga), outlaws (Grettis Saga), and shepherdesses (Ingrieds Lilja).
Enthusiastic, engaging, and expressive, La Mandragore capture the voice of a culture that disseminated throughout Europe, masterfully playing Scandina-vian folk instruments such as the sackpipa and the nyckelharpa (a Swedish keyed fiddle), while displaying their modern sensibilities and aptitude.

mandragore.ca
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