— New interpretation of old-time music.
Experience a masterful meeting between two of the Norwegian jazz scene's most prominent voices — in a programme dedicated to the classical bedrock: Johann Sebastian Bach . Chorales such as “Jesu, meine Freude” and “Auf meinen lieben Gott” form the starting point for new interpretations where the duo invites us into their diverse, musical space.
Bach's timeless melodies are the mantras that run through the concert, while the improvisations open up different musical directions. From Nordic folk tones and sonorous impressionism, to more open landscapes inspired by gospel, Persian and Egyptian tonality, Tord Gustavsen and Trygve Seim bring us closer to the message of the chorales through instrumental interpretation — in what will be a unique, genre-crossing concert in this spring's Main Series. Welcome!
Trygve Seim saxophone
Tord Gustavsen piano
Duration approximately 1 hour and 15 minutes. The programme is without intermission.
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The Norwegian jazz pianist Tord Gustavsen has visited us on several occasions in recent years, most recently in December 2025 together with the Norwegian Girls' Choir. Gustavsen has released a long list of award-winning albums in various formats, and regularly plays in projects with, among others, Solveig Slettahjell, Kristin Asbjørnsen, Mahsa Vahdat, the Norwegian Girls' Choir, Oslo Cathedral Choir in addition to his own Tord Gustavsen Trio. He has won the Spellemannsprisen and NOPA's Music Prize for best popular musical composition and received numerous other critical awards. His album from 2016, with the Afghan-German vocalist Simin Tander, won the “Jahrespreis der Deutschen Schcallplattenkritik” as one of the 12 best albums of the year in Germany regardless of genre. Tord has toured actively in large parts of the world and played at festivals and in concert halls from California to New Zealand.
Trygve Seim is a versatile Norwegian jazz musician who works as a saxophonist, composer and arranger. He has released 22 CDs under the German label ECM Records, eight of which are albums with Trygve as composer and musical director. The album "Different Rivers" won the German “Jahrespreis der Deutschen Schcallplattenkritik” in 2001. Trygve tours regularly with The Source and also often collaborates with ensembles and performers such as Manu Katché, Jacob Young, Sinikka Langeland, Iro Haarla, Fathy Salama, Jai Shankar, to name a few.
We wish you an enjoyable, unique concert experience with us. Welcome!
Photo: Hans Fredrik Asbjørnsen (Gustavsen) / Antonio Armentano (Seim)