smf36: plus, not ampersand

 

Many times during the Savannah Music Festival, this symbol [ & ] is used to denote two bands which will singly occupy the stage.

For this noon30, the billing used a different symbol [ + ] between the two names.

Plus, that is, not and.

Almost sounds like computer programming jargon!

Nope, Väsen + Hawktail have naught to do with that and everything to do with a variety of stringed instruments, playing everything from polskas to hymns.

Yes, the two groups were separate in the past, but the college students who adored the Swedes are now in the sweet position of performing with them!

 

In this photo, the Hawktail components are Brittany Haas (violin, far left, in a dress), Paul Kowert (middle, with cello), and Jordan Tice (standing on right with guitar).

That leaves the two older men -Olov Johansson with the nyckelharpa and Mikael Marin, sitting with the bass viola, who will be 60 next year - to round out the new band.

 

I missed the intro today, as I had two volunteer gigs at the Metal Building this time (Explorer Pass Wench and Front Welcome Wench). One nice note about that second position: the SMF flag is again flying high and in street view! JD, the House Manager, said that was thanks to my pointing out the ripped flag on Wednesday. How very kind of him!

Where was I?

Oh, I was going to talk about the first song I heard. It was the tune that Olov had written on a beach for the wedding of Mikael and Josephine a couple of years ago. Titled "Wallmarin", it only had the two Swedes playing, while the younger three sat. Very lovely piece! What a great way for me to start this concert!

They then played a toe-tapper, "Harpleken" (pronounced 'harp like kin'), that I very much liked, before being joined by the trio for "Hawk Ale". What a rousing Irish-like number it was, prompting me to dance - so I did!

 

After that, Olov and Mikael sat back to let Hawktail soar alone for a while.

They gave us "Ms. Pretzel", a song Kowert wrote for his music teacher from his youth, Rosemary Pestel. Say what? I had to wonder if my college chemistry teacher, Beverly Pestel, who moved to Oregon, might have been her mom. How cool would that be?! 

They followed that with two songs from their "Hawktail Trio Suite", the 1st and 4th ones. The 4th one was unnamed, but as soon as I heard it I thought: "Ocean, Tumultuous". I absolutely visualized the painting Bill gave me for my birthday years ago! I would have liked to suggest that title to Jordan Tice, as he put the image of a storm-tossed ship at sea into my mind with his intro to that piece.

Then all came together again for "Your Town Polska", written by Brittany. Swing your partner all around for the "Savannah" Polska! LOL!

So many lovely dance songs... and one hymn.

Johansson and Marin penned it on a bicycle trip, while overlooking "a lake full of moon glitter" on a summber night. How lovely is that image?! Titled "Hymn Till Sommarnätter", it's wrapped in tones of awe and gratitude and peace. Beautiful.

i thank You, God.