Rymden: “Valleys & Mountains” (jazz, Norway / Sweden)

On October 3, Scandinavian jazz will wash over Paliesius Manor—do not miss the opportunity to hear “Rymden” and the spellbinding music of their new album, “Valleys and Mountains”!

After journeys into deep space—the highly acclaimed studio albums “Reflections and Odysseys” and “Space Sailors,” alongside the powerful live album “RYMDEN+KORK”—”Rymden” returns to Earth with a new album, “Valleys and Mountains.” Naturally, as one might expect from the trio of Bugge Wesseltoft, Magnus Öström, and Dan Berglund, their music could hardly be called earthly. The inner cosmos, dreams, and visions invite us to explore uncharted spaces, embarking upon pastoral journeys and long walks. Instruments and techniques vary once more, drawing upon more than one style—yet it remains unmistakably the music of “Rymden.”

There is a palpable sense of both nostalgia and hope for the future, where the feeling of loss is gently replaced by the thrill of discovery. It offers an understanding of nature and our place within it, of nature’s role in our lives, and the quiet realization that our existence belongs to something far greater than ourselves.

The musical tributes to the natural world carry a sense of childlikeness, a joyful enthusiasm, and a freedom entirely unconstrained by our materialistic, digital world and its endless stream of unnecessary (dis)information. “The Hike” (Wesseltoft) captures the shifting moods brought on by a day in nature—moments of revelation and wonder, exhaustion and renewal; it features John Scofield on guitar, deliberately wandering wherever the path may lead. “A Walk in The Woods” and “The Mountain” (both by Öström) possess a brisk lightness reminiscent of Vince Guaraldi. This music does not attempt to mimic the sheer grandeur of nature, but rather offers a sincere and humble expression of admiration for it. “Ro” (Wesseltoft) is a meditative ballad, gently swaying, sparsely adorned, and brimming with the very tranquility its title implies.

Journeys into the inner world unfold through far quieter compositions—largely (and entirely purposefully) more abstract. “Song From The Valley” (a joint composition by the trio) maps a new musical topography of atmosphere and texture, at once abstract and warmly familiar, meditative, dramatic, and deeply peaceful. “Milam Bardo” (also a joint composition) drifts into a melodic dreamscape, anchored by a steady, staccato double bass line. “Himmel” (composed by Berglund) is a thoughtful, softly melancholic piece; it is guided by Berglund’s double bass, with each member of the trio playing with utmost gentleness, until the work ultimately reaches an evocative, atmospheric climax that slowly dissolves into silence.

How did “Rymden” come to be? Award-winning Norwegian pianist Bugge Wesseltoft had long desired to play in a piano trio. A steadfast champion of “European jazz as an independent art form” (to quote Wesseltoft himself), he sought to create music that authentically mirrored his feelings and his approach to musical expression. Thus, he invited two friends—Magnus Öström and Dan Berglund—two deeply innovative figures in the European jazz scene.

With their ensembles “e.s.t.” (Esbjorn Svensson Trio) and Wesseltoft’s “New Conception Of Jazz,” these three kindred artists wrote parallel musical histories whose origins stretch back to the mid-nineties. The music of both world-touring groups stood out for its fresh, new sound, brimming with an openness to experimentation and bold, innovative thought. Thus was born an international musical movement that continues to serve as an endless source of inspiration for generations to come.

Through his artist platform and record label, “Jazzland,” Wesseltoft became a true pioneer, and to this day he remains a vital driving force behind the modernization of Scandinavian jazz.

The group “e.s.t.” was the very first ensemble to perform in rock and jazz clubs just as readily as in classical music concert halls and upon the largest music festival stages across the globe.

The music of the new trio, “Rymden,” is woven from three essential elements: melancholic and atmospheric songwriting, dramatic rhythms, and virtuosic, masterfully performed jazz.

Within the soundscape of this new trio, the influences of modern jazz, Bach, cinematic scores, and even rock music are vividly apparent. It all intertwines into a mature, deeply organic, and wholly immersive concert experience.