— A cross-genre interpretation of Bach.
Experience a masterful encounter between two of the Norwegian jazz scene's most prominent voices — in a programme devoted to Johann Sebastian Bach. Chorales such as “Jesu, meine Freude” and “Auf meinen lieben Gott” serve as the starting point for new interpretations, where the duo invites us into their diverse musical space.
Bach's timeless melodies are mantras throughout the programme, while improvisation opens up a large span of musical directions. From Nordic folklore and sonorous impressionism, to more open landscapes inspired by gospel, Persian and Egyptian tonalities, 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 our Main Series this spring. 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 lately, most recently in December 2025 with the Norwegian Girls' Choir. Gustavsen has released a long series of award-winning albums in various formats, and regularly performs 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 Spellemann Award and NOPA's Music Award for best popular music composition, and received numerous other critical accolades. His 2016 album, with the Afghan-German vocalist Simin Tander, won the “Jahrespreis der Deutschen Shcallplattenkritik” as one of the year's 12 best albums in Germany across genres. Tord has toured actively in large parts of the world and performed at festivals and in concert halls from California to New Zealand.
Trygve Seim is a versatile Norwegian jazz musician working as a saxophonist, composer, and arranger. He has released 22 CDs under the German label ECM Records, with eight of them being albums where Trygve is the composer and musical director. The album "Different Rivers" won the German "Jahrespreis der Deutschen Shcallplattenkritik" in 2001. Trygve regularly tours with The Source and also frequently 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)