A Gorgeous and Intense Release from Violinist and Composer Helena Maria Falk
- R.A.G.
- Jun 26
- 3 min read
An incredibly lush and full-bodied set of pieces from Helena Maria Falk, along with the Norwegian Radio Orchestra, delivers this beautifully cinematic and thriving soundscape, fully orchestrated and focused on the violin, Helena's specialty. This record is brimming with intensity, addictive Melodies, and loads of emotion that come pouring out of every angle.
The record is compelling and impactful, to see the very least, as the performances and compositions throughout it all come together with such a graceful and elegant set of tones, textures, and sounds, that you end up getting pulled into this quite quickly.
Nordic Lullabies is composed of six pieces, each a little different from the last but all connected, confluent, and consistent with each other.
"Berceuse" starts the release, and this feels so gorgeous. Layers of string sections performing on top of each other, bringing waves of that intensity along with exhales back down to calmness.
This one felt extremely theatrical, and the way it builds up is absolutely amazing.
Helena is outstanding at building emotion into her music. Telling stories through notes and performances, and being able to compose pieces that will send you off to faraway places in your mind.
"Asmunds Lullaby" is, in my opinion, one of the more intense pieces overall. This has a big, robust orchestrated feel with horns and string sections, along with plenty more to really let the song feel alive and breathing.
About this one, and it's the kind of piece you listen to with headphones on so you can turn it up.
By this point in the record, you are already swallowed up by everything that's going on.
"Outside World" comes off as a fantastical and bright piece, with a shimmering presence and a spirited, even hopeful, set of melodies that lift you up.
There's absolutely something magical about pieces like this one.
It's amazing what pieces like this can do to you as you listen to them.
This piece, in particular, set my mind into all these different places.
I suppose it will be different depending on who's listening, but the sentiment and emotion are really right there. She's really able to put that aesthetic and uplifting feeling right at the forefront, using a range of intensity and performance dynamics, along with the melody and composition.
This is probably one of my favorite pieces on the release
"Fragments" focuses on Helena's violin performance alone. There's no full orchestra on this one, but instead, you get more of a solo piece, still dipped in reverb and other effects, so that you have depth and distance to it.
Her performance feels flowing, effortless, and you get wrapped up in what she's delivering.
It's this kind of song that showcases her mastery as a violinist. She's in love with the craft of performing on the instrument, and when you listen to this song, you'll hear exactly why.
"To Grandpa" is obviously a more personal piece, and this one is beautiful because it showcases all these different elements of emotion through melody.
You have the acceptance, the gratitude, the warmth, but also the sadness and melancholy.
It's all portrayed through this one piece, and I absolutely loved taking that ride.
This release speaks volumes for Helena as not just a performer, but a composer, and how she's able to bring in collaborators and other outstanding musicians to put together an atmosphere and an anesthetic that is undeniable.
Helena is very well known for her performances on the violin, but also as a composer, bringing a lot of layers and emotion into her work.
A lot of these pieces are deepening, and it's very easy to get stuck in them, flow with those emotions, and have melodies trickling through your head long after they have ended.
I don't really suggest listening to this entire set of songs at once, but again, do it with headphones on.
This is something I suggest with any kind of music that has these elements of depth to it.
If you listen with headphones on, you will be wrapped up in all of it.
Your mind will go to different places, and you'll be able to feel the full range of emotions that everything is delivering.
Don't miss out on this gorgeous set of pieces from a composer and a performer who puts pieces of herself into what she does.
So, listen to this now so you can understand exactly where I'm coming from with it.
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