Forseti (band)
| Company type | Music group |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1997 in Jena, Germany |
| Defunct | 2005 |
| Headquarters | Jena , Germany |
| Products | Music albums |
Forseti was a neofolk ensemble from Germany, originating in Jena in 1997 and concluding their activities in 2005. The group gained recognition for their musical interpretations of German romantic poetry.
History
Established in Jena in 1997, Forseti's initial release came in 2000 with the 10" record Jenzig. This debut highlighted Andreas Ritter's dedication to literature through musical renditions of works such as Ludwig Uhland's "Gesang der Jünglinge" and Johann Wolfgang von Goethe's "Erlkönig". The album also incorporated texts from poets of the 18th and 19th centuries, including Eduard Mörike, Joseph Freiherr von Eichendorff, Matthias Claudius, Friedrich Schiller, and Friedrich Hölderlin, alongside contributions from 20th-century authors like Paul Celan and Friedrich Dürrenmatt.
Their sophomore album, Windzeit (2002), featured poetry by Hermann Hesse and Ricarda Huch. Lyrics on this record were partly provided by Uwe Nolte of Orplid, with guest appearances by artists from Sonne Hagal and Douglas P. of Death in June.
In 2004, Forseti issued their last album titled Erde. This collection included cover versions of songs by Sonne Hagal and Orplid, along with guest performances by Ukrainian opera vocalist Andrey Kulinich, B'eirth from In Gowan Ring, Kim Larsen representing Of the Wand & the Moon, and Ian Read from Fire + Ice. Ritter indicated that Erde might represent the final release within their nature poetry motif, suggesting a potential future focus on historical subjects or classical literature.
Following a severe cardiac arrest suffered by Ritter in May 2005, numerous neofolk musicians united to produce the 2006 compilation album Forseti lebt. The proceeds from this project were directed towards supporting his recovery.
Style and lyrical themes
Forseti's compositions frequently blend elements of nature romanticism with themes drawn from Germanic mythology, as reflected by their name inspired by the deity Forseti. Songs such as "Abschied" from Jenzig make reference to Ragnarök, while "Wolfzeit" alludes to the "wolf age" mentioned in Völuspá.
Their sound primarily revolves around acoustic guitar arrangements enriched by instruments like accordion, cello, horn, and flute. Ritter acknowledged influences including Leonard Cohen and Johnny Cash.
Discography
| Title | Album details |
|---|---|
| Jenzig |
|
| Windzeit |
|
| Erde |
|