— Dreaming of a new world.
We are rounding off this year's season in Oslo with a festive evening that celebrates the ties between Norway and America from the year of emigration in 1825 onwards. America quickly became a melting pot of musical impulses from all corners of the world, and we have invited none other than jazz and ragtime pianist Morten Gunnar Larsen to guide us through the golden age of the intersection between classical and everything new — between the Norwegian and the American.
For decades, Larsen has been at the forefront of those who have specialized in this life-affirming, musical era. He brings his own Ophelia Orchestra, and together they will take us on a journey back in time to the music of, among others, Scott Joplin, Eubie Blake, Irving Berlin, George Gershwin and Kurt Weill — interspersed with a handful of Norwegian rags composed by Larsen himself. Welcome!
Ståle Ytterli vocals
Morten Gunnar Larsen piano
Bjarne Magnus Jensen violin
Mikko Lampila cello
Georg Reiss clarinet & saxophone
Trond Olav Ruistuen trumpet
Helge Sunde trombone
Johnnie Harper banjo & guitar
Svein Aarbostad bass
Birger Mistereggen drums
Duration approximately 2 hours including break.
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Ophelia Orchestra is an original addition to Norwegian music life. 10 musicians dressed in white tie performing authentic music arrangements from the turn of the last century and up to World War II.
Ophelia's musical director, ragtime specialist Morten Gunnar Larsen, has scoured old sheet music collections from New Orleans to the Ringve Museum in Trondheim and amassed a wealth of original material. The orchestra's repertoire includes composers such as Scott Joplin, Eubie Blake, Irving Berlin, George Gershwin and Kurt Weill — with instrumental rags, melodies from old Broadway shows, and music from European cabaret scenes.
The orchestra's repertoire has been actively renewed and expanded in recent years, and now includes elements of Brazilian and Caribbean music, as well as music from Berlin's legendary cabaret scenes during the Weimar Republic (1918-33). The Ophelia Orchestra has been praised for its excellent musicianship and spirited performances, as well as a warm and charming sound that comes from the unique blend of strings and winds. The vocalist contributes with the crooner and jazz style of the 20s or the musichall of the turn of the century.
We also recommend this interview with Morten Gunnar Larsen on the occasion of his 60th birthday in 2015.
Welcome to the season finale in the Aulaen!
Photo: Ophelia Orchestra