Album Notes

Fromseier Rose features the contrasting temperaments and styles of the Danish fiddler Ditte Fromseier Mortensen and the American pianist Michael G. Rose playing contemporary music based on the Celtic and Scandinavian traditions.

Starting from a shared passion for the music of Ireland, Fromseier Rose weave a unique and and exciting tapestry of sound which has won international acclaim.

Contradiction, their debut CD, features the internationally renowned Niamh Parsons as guest singer on three tracks.

"Featuring many original compositions with its cool Nordic ambience, it [isn't] your normal traditional CD. Ditte and Michael created an individual musical style with a strong basis in the Irish, Danish and American traditional music and with modern acoustic elements." John O'Regan - Irish Music Magazine

The editors of the German online magazine FolkWorld chose Contradiction as the number two European folk music release of 2003.
"Fiddle and piano can be a genius combination - this is definitely the case with the duo Fromseier Rose. Their music is light and relaxed, but at the same time full of passion and emotion....
....As a great lover of Niamh's singing I would say: alone for these three songs the album has to be in collections... Yet the 9 instrumental titles are as brilliant as the songs. A breathtaking album! " Christian Moll - FolkWorld

Chris Nickson writes in Penguin Eggs, Canada's Folk, Roots and World Music Magazine
"...there's a wonderful communication between the two instruments. Both Rose and Mortensen are superb and sensitive players, working off and complementing each other. And when they back Niamh Parsons (whose voice is a perfect foil for their skills on the three songs where she participates), they provide just enough to frame the song without intruding on the singer..."

Siobhán Long wrote in The Irish Times
"...New England pianist Michael G. Rose collides magnificently with Ditte Fromseier Mortensen, a Danish fiddler who draws on a lateral-thinking classical and traditional mix of influences, fired by a bold fiddle style, athletically bounding through their own original tunes (many classically defined and gloriously effete) as well as rejuvenating stalwart traditional mainstays such as Taímse Ím Chodlad ..."

And Tom Nelligan wrote in Dirty Linen
"Mortensen's pure-toned fiddling is sweet and resonant, especially on the slower pieces. Rose's accompaniment is delicate and spare, not the foot-pounding sort that's often heard backing up Celtic music, reminding me in places of Keith Jarrett's jazz improvisations."