"Keel Road," the latest release from the Danish String Quartet, takes us on a sonic expedition across the North Sea. This musical journey weaves together traditional melodies from Denmark, Norway, the Faroe Islands, Ireland, and England. The album follows the critically acclaimed "Last Leaf," which was named Classical Album of the Year by NPR and ranked among the best albums of the year by both The New York Times and Gramophone.
With this recording, the quartet reaffirms its deep connection to folk music: "Folk melodies are more than just repertoire—they form an essential part of our musical identity." In addition to traditional pieces, the album also features original compositions by Rune Tonsgaard Sørensen and Fredrik Schøyen Sjölin, which blend seamlessly into the folk soundscape. Particularly noteworthy are the artful interpretations of four works by the Irish harp master Turlough O'Carolan from County Meath, which the quartet has arranged in an enchanting way.