Yggdrasil (band)


Yggdrasil is a Nordic music ensemble based in the Faroe Islands. The band was formed in 1981 by the composer and pianist Kristian Blak, who has written most of the material for the group. From the very beginning, Yggdrasil has included musicians from other countries, having varied musical backgrounds, mainly in jazz, but also in ethnic, folk, rock and classical music.
Most of their works have been created in relation with other forms of art: visual art, poetry, ballet, opera - or in some cases, with nature. The compositions draw ideas and themes from ethnic material from the North Atlantic region, such as Faroese ballads, hymns and rhymes, Inuit songs or Shetland folk music. Improvisation takes a large part in the interpretation and ranges from free and ethno-jazz to classical and world music.
The band is named after the world tree Yggdrasil in Norse mythology.
WWW kristianblak.com

Band members

Past and current members include

Discography

Den Yderste Ø - poems by William HeinesenRavnating - dia show by Philippe CarréHeygar og Dreygar - folk belief of the Faroe Islands, paper collages from William Heinesen /
The Four Towers ballet based on the poem "Barnetegning" by William Heinesen Concerto Grotto - with Faroese nature as a musical partner /
Drangar - music written to the "sculpture" in Faroese nature Brøytingar - concept and artworks by Ole WichYggdrasil - featuring Eivør PálsdóttirLive in Rudolstadt - featuring Eivør Pálsdóttir The Tübingen Concert - live recording at the University Hospital Tübingen Risastova - featuring Kári Sverrisson, as well as the suite "Vágatunnilin" Askur - live recordings 1982-2006Grót & Vatn - live recording at The Nordic House Tórshavn