Andreas Ritter
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Andreas Ritter is the founder and chief contributor to the German (Jena) dark folk band Forseti.
“FORSETI is in fact only Andreas Ritter aided for live gigs and studio recordings by musicians and friends. I guess meanwhile there are around 20 people which are involved in any way. The idea for FORSETI was born in 1997, even though I made music before.” ([1])
The idea of Forseti presented itself to Ritter in 1997, when he first bought a guitar.
“In 1997 I bought my first guitar and discovered my love of acoustic music. By then it was clear to me that Forseti would never use electronic instruments, neither in the studio nor on stage. A purely acoustic arrangement produces much more warmth and emotion.” (Interview for L’Ame Electrique) ([2])
“I have found that if you have the nerve to play guitar and sing in German, you may find that a self appointed freedom fighter will stand up and accuse you of being a facist. Forseti has nothing whatsoever to do with any particular political viewpoint. It is about an inner search, finding your inner fulfilment or at least making an attempt to. Closer to my real aim is that the music encourages people to develop a feel for nature or natural things, and encourages us to view ourselves as an integral part of the natural world.” (interview for L’Ame Electrique) ([3])
Ritter is reported to have suffered a cardiac arrest in May, 2005 [4], which provoked release of the collective album entitled Forseti lebt ("May Forseti live") in 2006, in support of the musician. Participating artists are: Sonne Hagal, Sonnentau, B’eirth (In Gowan Ring), :Of the Wand and the Moon:, Death In June, Waldteufel, Lux Interna, Northman, Fire + Ice, Darkwood and Primus Inter Pares.
