Islands in the North Atlantic inspire the music of the duo Norðan, Tory Island in the Northwest of Ireland, the Hebridean Island of Staffa, the Shetlands, Lofoten in the East, Iceland in the North and right in the middle: the Faroe Islands.

Originally these 18 islands were settled by Irish monks, then the Vikings took over. Dramatic coastal landscapes with cliffs, many hundreds of meters high, lush valleys, fjords and lakes set the mood on the islands. Light, colours and weather change by the minute on these mountains in the sea habitated by 50 0000 people, 80 000 sheep and millions of birds.

Faroese violinist Angelika Hansen and harpist Thomas Loefke combine in their soundscapes their own compositions with music from the Faroes and Ireland.

The music is accompanied by photographs Thomas took during his island travels.

With violin, harp and pictures the two musicians take their audiences on a breathtaking adventurous journey to the North Atlantic.

2013 Angelika and Thomas performed the probably first ever harp and violin seacave concert as part of the concerto grotto concert series in Klæmintsgjógv on the Faroese island of Hestur. Since then this has become an annual event in their tour schedule.

The first CD Norðan is also available on tutl and Laika records. Mail order:  Loefke@t-online.de

youtube: www.youtube.com/@thomasloefke

Alvastakkur  Brimgjáir   Døgg og Sproti  Djupini  Som Den Gyldne Sol  Loch Ossian  Tjørnarøkur   Steinurin í Íðu/Skorarheyggjurin   At the River of Thor/Brimgjáir

 

  

galleries:  Norðan   Concerto Grotto   Faroe Islands                       
downloads:  photo1  photo2   photo3   photo4   photo5   poster
radio:  Angelika about the CD Norðan on KVF  (in Faroese)

Angelika Hansen is the Faroe Island's number one traditional fiddle player. With deep roots in the musical tradition of her home country she also feels at home in jazz and classical music. After growing up in a musical family, she studied music in Reykjavik and Copenhagen. With her band "Kvonn" ("Angelika" in the Faroese language), the Faroese Symphony Orchestra, with the Jazz formation Yggdrasil, with Aldubaran, with Norland Wind, with akkordeonist Anna Hüdepohl or as solo artist she has toured all over Europe, the USA, Australia, Japan and Greenland. Her latest album: Anna & Angelika - akkordeon & violin

Thomas Loefke learnt his trade in Dublin from Ireland's leading harp players - Máire Ní Chathasaigh, Helen Davies, Janet Harbison and Áine Ní Dhúill. Since 1984 he has toured across Europe, Canada, the USA and New Zealand and has won several international prizes, including first prize at the O'Carolan Harp Festival in Ireland.

In addition to his solo work and the tours with Angelika, Thomas regularily tours with Riverdance fiddler Máire Breatnach, with Kerstin Blodig and Ian Melrose as Norland Wind, with Colorado based cello/guitar duo Acoustic Eidolon, flutist Ellen Czaya and pianist Lutz Gerlach. Latest album: Rock Pools  with Máire Breatnach.