Ånon Egeland gifts listeners a rare glimpse into the soul of Norway’s folk tradition with "Ånon MXXIV," while simultaneously crafting an intimate self-portrait. Known for carrying forward the legacy of the legendary fiddlers of Agder, Egeland brings his signature personal style, deeply rooted in history yet unmistakably his own, into a body of work that feels both ancient and immediate.
At just over 30 minutes across 16 tracks, "Ånon MXXIV" is concise yet expansive, each piece capturing not only a sound but a lived memory. Egeland describes the album as a snapshot of himself in 2024, but the music stretches back through a half-century of his journey with the fiddle. Many of these melodies have lived alongside him for decades, resonating with the instrument that has accompanied him longest.
One of the album’s standout pieces, “Stevtone etter Anders K. Rysstad”, embodies the heart of tradition. A stevtone is a melody that accompanies a stev, a four-line stanza of archaic slam poetry, and here, Egeland channels the spirit of Rysstad’s Hardanger fiddle with reverence and originality. The piece feels like an echo across generations, yet entirely alive in the present moment.
Another highlight is the 14th track, “Stevon”, a composition drawn from multiple sources, including Rysstad. Its layered melodies carry the weight of voices long past, weaving them into a tapestry of tone that is unmistakably Egeland’s own. The result is music that balances respect for its roots with a personal sense of renewal.
What makes "Ånon MXXIV" remarkable is its intimacy. This is an audible memoir. Each bow stroke, each phrase, carries the warmth of a musician who has lived these melodies. For listeners, the album offers an invitation to stand still in the currents of time. Ånon Egeland proves that tradition is a living, breathing art that grows with the player. And in his hands, it sounds eternal.
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