My composing journey has been woven into my career as a musician from the start. However, over the last decade, it has evolved into a partly separate activity, where I create commissioned works for external ensembles and musicians from different genres.
Sprouts
My inspiration often comes from my knowledge of and love for Norwegian traditional music. It is somewhat evident in my work, and I feel free to play within the space between creating ‘traditional’ folk dance tunes and composing more experimental contemporary classical pieces – but still with a touch of Norwegian traditions.
List of recent compositions
Vardøger (37′)
Commissioned: Song Circus – Liv Runesdatter
Instrumentation: Four women voices, fiddle/octave fiddle/Hardanger fiddle
Content:
01 Varsko
02 Vardøger
03 Vågn opp, vågn opp
04 Sol-lokk om morgonen
05 I livstruende situasjoner
06 Solbøn I – Lova lova lina
07 Solbøn II – Sola mi søte
08 Falske mannetunga (trad, arr)
09 Ode to Excellence
10 Sol-lokk om morgonen, oktavhardingfeleversjon
11 Månebøn
Excerpt on YouTube
Valfart (18′)
Commissioned: NyNorsk Messingkvintett and the festival tonehimmel, June 2023.
Instrumentation: Brass quintet, fiddle/hardangerfiddle and soprano.
Content:
1 Matrosane på St. Mauritius
2 Mellom granene
3 Den siste dagen!
Excerpt on YouTube
Friggs rokk – Rokkur Friggjar (24′)
Commissioned: Kristina Farstad Bjørdal, Geir Draugsvoll, tonehimmel festival, June 2023.
Instrumentation: Two accordions.
Additional versions for two accordions, violin and voice + one accordion, violin and voice.
Content:
01 Fulla sin løyndom – Leyndardómur Fullu
02 Gnå rir – Gná ríður út
03 Lovn gir løyve – Lofn veitir ley
04 Frigg si sorg – Hryggð Friggjar
Excerpt on YouTube
Insomnia (12′)
Commissioned: Bjørn Kåre Odde and Ole Nilssen 2020
Instrumentation: Violin/viola and accordion
Content:
01 Rangelpols
02 Nattsalme
03 Ottesong
Excerpt on YouTube
Tagal (57′)
Commissioned: Kvedarkvintetten and Førdefestivalen
Instrumentation: Five women’s voices
Content:
01 Ho oppa haia
02 Brest (with intro Sumblo)
03 Liamyhrhagen
04 Mela og mu (introversion)
04 Agalaus
05 Singers green
06 Kvelarspringar, soloversion
07 Mela og mu
08 Stasgangar
09 Systervals
10 Kvelarspringar (with intro Sumblo)
11 Reisesong
xx Su lullu lu
Selection of tunes and songs:
Snu på flisa, 2020:
Vent ved mi strand, lyrics by Hans H. Steinsund:
Menuett for alle vindar:
Utøvar: Majorstuen