I love the music of David Åhlén. There is nothing more calming than his compositions.
Others have described him as “the Swedish Arvo Pärt.” If I were ever asked to describe Arvo Pärt, I’d call him “the Estonian David Åhlén.” (It says a great deal about my American lack of sophistication that I had never heard of Arvo Pärt before a publicist emailed me the music of David Åhlén.)
This type of introspective, textured and delicate music seems to come out of Europe more often than the US. America’s narrow, egotistical approach to music will be it’s downfall. I’ll keep listening to the Hania Ranis and the David Åhléns of the world and enjoy their rare œuvre.
Last summer I was in both Estonia and Sweden and was thrilled by both countries. Estonia is growing away from Soviet domination. It seemed like Minnesota with better chocolate. That’s how I used to describe Sweden. Nowadays Stockholm and the rest of Sweden are so ultra-modern and super-enlightened compared to Minnesota or anywhere else in the US that they’ve become a techno-valhalla of their own, nicer than the US even when you take the cold winters and long nights into account. Americans should visit Sweden and Estonia more often and see if they can bring any good ideas back here. Sweden has a King and Queen. America also (Också) has a King and Queen, but I like Sweden’s version better (Bättre).
Music and lyrics by David Åhlén
Produced, mixed and mastered by Manne von Ahn Öberg
Recorded at White Chapel Studio, Jävrebyn, additional recordings in various studios in Stockholm and Visby
Boys’ choir recorded by Andreas Sandlund and David Åhlén at Stenkumla prästgård
Choir arrangements by Krister Hansén
Performed by David Åhlén: vocals, electric baritone/guitar, piano, synth, sounds
Additional musicians:
Kenneth Berg: drums
Lisa Rydberg, violin
Mikael Lindblad Ehnborg: synth
Boys’ choir (members of Gotlands gosskör): Miguel
Robaina, Samuel Kåring, Levi Åhlén, Jona Åhlén, Elias Grahn, Albin Karlsson,
Malte Rödland, Moltas Svensson Sandell
