Trygve Seim - Rumi Songs (2016) Hi-Res

Norwegian saxophonist Trygve Seim may lack the marquee status of countryman (and fellow ECM artist) Jan Garbarek. But he is no less adventurous, and has recently been popping up all over on 2016 ECM releases: on Mats Eilertsen's Rubicon; with Sinikka Langeland and the Trio Medieval on The Magical Forest; with Iro Haarla and symphony orchestra on Ante Lucem; and now on his own Rumi Songs. Seim composed his first settings of the poetry of 13th century poet and mystic Jelaluddin Rumi in 2003 at the instigation of the late soprano singer Anne-Lise Berntsen. Mezzo-soprano Tora Augestad commissioned the complete Rumi Songs cycle after Berntsen died.

Seim has been heard on more than 20 ECM albums, including Sangam (2004) with his large ensemble; recordings with the collective The Source; with guitarist Jacob Young on Forever Young (2014), and more. Singer Tora Augestad makes her first ECM appearance. Accordionist Frode Haltli has appeared on several ECM recordings, including Yeraz (2008) a duo recording with Seim; he is also a member of Seim's Sangam ensemble. Cellist Svante Henryson has appeared on ECM albums in duo with pianist Ketil Bjornstad on Night Song (2011) and as a member of Jon Balke's Magnetic North Orchesra on Kyanos (2002).