— Angelic song and earthly sound.
They are described as one of Norway's most beautiful choirs — and last year's Christmas concert at Ramme proved just this. In December, the Norwegian Girls' Choir will return to us, and this time together with the world-renowned jazz pianist Tord Gustavsen.
“An unusually beautiful Christmas album”
— Geir Rakvaag, Dagsavisen
In 2020, Gustavsen joined forces with the Norwegian Girls' Choir to record the album Stille grender — with carefully selected folk songs and hymns from the Christmas repertoire. In close collaboration, they guide us from quiet melancholy via expressive improvisations to sparkling, ecstatic moments.
Gustavsen's unique piano sound together with the young voices speak to hearts through their warm musical presence, and we are very much looking forward to experiencing this at Ramme for the first time. Welcome!
Tord Gustavsen piano
Anne Karin Sundal-Ask conductor
Duration approximately 1 hour and 15 minutes. The concert is without intermission. For this concert we offer discounted ticket packages including dinner. Visit Ramme Fjordhotell to book a complete accommodation package.
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In 2024, Tord Gustavsen released his tenth album under his own name on the legendary label ECM Records, with a new take on the melodious and thoughtful jazz that has captivated listeners all over the world. Tord's three trio albums from 2003 to 2007 — Changing Places, The Ground and Being There — received a sensational response from both audiences and critics, and the trio became the first band ever to have an instrumental album reach number one on the VG-lista in Norway. Music critics around the world saw special and strong qualities in Gustavsen's playing and in the trio's distinctive, charged minimalism and stripped-down beauty.
Since then, Gustavsen has released strong albums in other formats, and two new trio albums in 2018 and 2022, in addition to side projects with, among others, Solveig Slettahjell, Kristin Asbjørnsen, Mahsa Vahdat, Det norske Jentekor, Oslo Domkor, as well as work as a conductor and musical director. 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 Shcallplattenkritik” 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.
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The Norwegian Girls' Choir is a choir school for talented singers aged 6—20+ years. The singers are accepted through auditions and are educated all the way to becoming independent and reflective musicians and artists. The choir is a strong contributor to Norwegian music and cultural life, and their artistic focus that unites innovation and tradition has garnered great attention. Two of the choir's albums have been nominated for a GRAMMY award, including Stille grender, from which several of the arrangements at tonight's concert are taken.
The choir school is part of the Talent Norway junior initiatives, and H.R.H. Crown Princess Mette-Marit is the choir's high patron.
We wish you an enjoyable, unique concert experience with us. Welcome!
Photo: Hans Fredrik Asbjørnsen (Gustavsen)