The Nature of Connections

Released in 2014 on the Rune Grammofon label, The Nature of Connections represents a significant pivot in Arve Henriksen's discography. Recorded at the famed Rainbow Studio by Jan Erik Kongshaug, the album strips away the electronic processing and heavy reverb that defined earlier works like Chiaroscuro. Instead, Henriksen leads an acoustic ensemble featuring Gjermund Larsen (violin), Nils Økland (violin/hardanger fiddle), and Svante Henryson (cello). The compositions are largely collaborative, drawing heavily from Nordic folk traditions and contemporary chamber music. This shift highlights Henriksen's versatility as an improviser, proving his flute-like trumpet tone can be just as effective in a dry, acoustic setting as it is in an ambient one. Critically, the album was praised for its 'organic' feel and its successful synthesis of disparate Norwegian musical lineages, cementing Henriksen's role as a central figure in modern European creative music.