SEPTENTRIO
Hans Kennemark, fiddle
Hannu Kella, 5-row free-bass accordion
Leonor Palazzo, 5-string cello

septentrio.eu

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Firmly rooted in Nordic folk music, Septentrio is a unique trio combining three nationalities. Leonor Palazzo, from Belgium, plays a 5-string cello. She is particularly dedicated to baroque music and Swedish folk music. Finland is represented by the virtuoso accordionist Hannu Kella, well-known from numerous tours with the Finnish group Tsuumi Sound System. Whilst Hans Kennemark, on the fiddle, is one of Sweden's most renowned folk musicians.

When these experienced musicians and talented composers meet, it is to create intricate and fascinating arrangements in wich their tight and joyful playing comes to life. These compositions explore the full scope of sound that this unusual combination of instruments allows. The 5-string cello with its higher string, makes it possible for Leonor to play the melody as well as conventional cello parts. This possibility opens new ways for melodies and harmonies to travel from one instrument to another, expanding Serpentrio's musical universe.

Septentrio has performed at major folk music venues throughout Sweden and at the Kaustinen Folk Music Festival in Finland. Their first CD, released in 2013 by London-based ARC Music, has been both acclaimed by critics and appreciated by Septentrio’s audiences all over Scandinavia.

Read more on: bit.ly/Septentrio_english

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Reviews:

"Ett internationellt möte mellan tre mycket fina musiker: Hans Kennemark på fiol, Hannu Kella på femradigt melodibasdragspel och Leonor Palazzo på femsträngad cello. Denna sättning är ovanlig och fantastiskt fin. Palazzo skapar en stadig grund för trions sound att vila på, hon tillför också den rytmiska definition och drivkraft som musiken behöver. Kella använder dragspelets och melodibasens många möjligheter alldeles ypperligt och har också stort svängrum att göra så i denna sparsamma sättning. På skivan hör vi traditionella låtar från Sverige, men också originalkompositioner av trions medlemmar. Jag finner Kennemarks kompositioner särdeles intressanta, han har en själfull och personlig stil i uttryck som vi till exempel hör i hans komposition Långedrag. För er som redan gillar Nordik Tree (med Kennemark, Arto Järvelä och Timo Alakotila) innehåller Septentrios nya skiva en hög igenkänningsfaktor och samma poetiska förhållningssätt till folkmusiken."
Sunniva Brynnel, Lira 2014

"Charming Chamber Music for a Folk Trio"
"The music is unmistakable Scandinavian but the sound is different, original. This trio married the timbres of a folk fiddle, a 5-row freebass accordion, and the novel 5-string cello (with an added upper E). Cellist Leonor Palazzo (of Belgian and Argentine roots) established a background in baroque and classical music; thus the trio adopted the spirit of chamber music with their Swedish folk music arrangements. Some tunes are traditional and others are composed by members of the group. Waltzes and polskas are the dance forms. The fiddle, here performed by teacher and composer Hans Kennemark, is the standard folk instrument, which has a special approach to bowing and fingering. The accordion of the Finn, Hannu Kella, weaves and solos with the other players. Musically, the album offers joy and good cheer throughout. One track is a bridal march, which has charm and nobility. Another piece, influenced by a hymn, is a bridal polska, which has a different feeling, that of nostalgia and sweetness. Palazzo composed a brief but lovely, lyrical poem on the "beckoning" force that guides our deeds and desires. Kella wrote an amusing propulsive work that reflected his young son's learning adventures. The trio was established in 2011 and this is their first album, whose audio engineering is well done. Their unusual sound and excellent musicianship should lead to further albums, and perhaps touring? Septentrio must have had fun recording this collection. I certainly had fun listening to it. 50 minutes."
Dr. Debra Jan Bibel "World Music Explorer" (Oakland, CA USA), November 26, 2013, Amazon

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Charming and elegant Nordic folk tunes played in a style that could be described as a kind of "chamber folk music", in a rare combination of 5-row freebass accordion, violin and 5-string cello which makes them unique in the world. Septentrio presents original compositions and arrangements as well as traditional Swedish folk music.

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DOWNLOAD OUR PROFESSIONAL MATERIAL HERE
Bios and band presentation:
bit.ly/Septentrio_english

Technical rider:
bit.ly/Septentrio_technical_rider_

High Resolution Pictures:
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bit.ly/press_picture_white_background
bit.ly/press_picture_around_the_cello
bit.ly/press_picture_outside
bit.ly/CD_cover

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