Leben und Lieben in Zeiten des Hasses
The musical Briefe von Ruth (Letters From Ruth) by Gisle Kverndokk and Aksel-Otto Bull received its world premiere in 2023 and focuses on the life of Ruth Maier (1920–1942). Maier, a Jewess from Vienna, managed to escape to Norway in 1939. In November 1942 she was arrested there, deported to Auschwitz and murdered. Numerous letters and her detailed diary tell the story of a life that ended far too early and a tragic fate. In the symposium Leben und Lieben in Zeiten des Hasses (Living and loving in times of hate) we aim to shed light on all the issues that were central to the life of the “Norwegian Anne Frank” and are still a long way from being resolved in today’s society: anti-Semitism, hostility towards those identifying as queer, and violence towards minorities. Taking Ruth Maier’s life and her passion for theatre and literature as a starting point, the symposium will feature talks, readings and panel discussions along with artistic inputs to show the key role played by music, theatre and poetry in promoting tolerance.
Briefe von Ruth
Ruth Maier is full of longings and dreams, inspired by the rich cultural life of her hometown of Vienna. One outlet for her is writing letters and keeping a diary, which soon becomes an important part of her life. But it is the 1930s, and the Nazis' atrocities put an abrupt end to the Jewish girl's carefree existence. In 1939 she manages to escape to Norway. Despite psychological problems, there is a ray of hope in the far north: Ruth finds the love of her life in Gunvor, who is the same age as her. In 1942 she is deported to Auschwitz and murdered there. Gunvor keeps her friend's diaries, which are eventually published by her family in Vienna along with her letters. With this musical, Norwegian composer Gisle Kverndokk and librettist Aksel-Otto Bull have created a monument to the "Norwegian Anne Frank", which captures Ruth's irrepressible hunger for life as well as her tragic fate. After its successful premiere in 2023, "Letters from Ruth" was awarded four prizes at the German Musical Theater Prize. A moving and stirring piece of musical theater.
Ensembleprogram om kjærlighet
A star-studded lineup featuring some of the country's finest singers visits Sandefjord Art and Culture Church with a beautifully curated ensemble program about love. The program consists of J. Brahms' exquisite song cycle Neue Liebeslieder and Singing Night – Norwegian Love Waltzes and a Tango by Gisle Kverndokk, with lyrics by Harald Sverdrup. Both works are accompanied on four-handed piano. For lovers of vocal music, of which there are many in Sandefjord, this is an experience not to be missed.
Syngende natt – kjærlighetssanger for vår tid
At the beautiful concert hall, Venskaben i Asker, four singers and two pianists come together in their shared passion for the Lieder and romances of the Romantic era.
Alongside Brahms’ Neue Liebeslieder, Op. 65, Gisle Kverndokk’s Singing Night, written specifically for this ensemble, will also be performed. Singing Night carries on the vocal quartet tradition but with a modern perspective. Inspired by the great masters of Romanticism and the many facets of love, Kverndokk has created a vibrant and life-affirming song cycle based on eight love poems by Harald Sverdrup.
Syngende natt
Gisle Kverndokk’s vocal- and piano music, performed by excellent singers and pianists.
The evening is dedicated to the music of Gisle Kverndokk and offers a varied program featuring selected songs based on texts by Nordic poets, solo piano repertoire, and a recently composed main work, “Singing Night.”
Singers:
Isa Katharina Gericke
Melis Jaatinen
William Wallace
Halvor Festervoll Melien
Piano:
Juho Alakärppä
Thormod Rønning Kvam
The concert is produced by Ny Musikk Bergen.
Syngende natt
Great vocal artistry and masterful piano playing; four singers, three pianists and an organist share song treasures from the romantic era. The main work of the evening is Gisle Kverndokk's new and life-affirming song cycle Singing Night - for four singers and piano four-hands.
“At the Edge of the Sky” - for Flute Choir - World Premiere
The closing concert at Norsk Fløytefest in Skien will present the piece "At the Edge of the Sky" written for FløyteFest by composer Gisle Kverndokk. This will include all participants and put an end to another fantastic FløyteFest!
En gammeldags julaften, familiekonsert med Kork
World premiere of the orchestral version of Gisle Kverndokk's suite "An Old Fashioned Christmas Eve" by The Norwegian Radio Orchestra. Iselin Shumba, narrator. Chloé van Soeterstéde, conductor.
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A Desperate Light
LAWO Classics presents a new album of Gisle Kverndokk's spectacular orchestral music. Featuring The Trondheim Symphony Orchestra and Opera conducted by Peter Szilvay and Aage Richard Meyer.
Babette's Feast
Join us on Tuesday, November 12th for an evening of vocal and piano music and film screening at La Maison Française. The evening premieres songs from “Babette’s Feats” by Gisle Kverndokk and Øystein Wiik. Produced by New York Opera Society.
Babette's Feast
World premiere of songs from the upcoming musical “Babette’s Feast” by Gisle Kverndokk and Øystein Wiik. Based on Karen Blixen’s novel. Produced by New York Opera Society.
Den norske Musikkfest
The Norwegian Music Festival has been regularly organized by Norsk Tonekunstnersamfund to pay tribute to Norwegian musical life. This is a unique opportunity for Norwegian musicians to present Norwegian music. For the public, it is a unique way to experience the top division of classical musicians in exciting interaction. Gisle Kverndokk is featured on the program.
Composers in Dialogue
Join us for our third session of "Composers in Dialogue" on Wednesday, October 9th, at 18:00, featuring composers Gisle Kverndokk and Agnes Ida Pettersen. We are very eager to hear about their different approaches in composing for voice.
Ruth - en dans och musikföreställning
The Austrian Jewess Ruth Maier fled during World War II to Norway to seek protection. There she fell in love with the poet Gunvor Hofmo, and they lived together until 1942, when Ruth was arrested, deported and sent to Auschwitz where she was promptly murdered. Ruth's posthumously published diaries have made her known as Norway's Anne Frank.
The concert is based on Gisle Kverndokk and Aksel-Otto Bull's song cycle "Ruth Maier in Memoriam", with lyrics by Ruth Maier and Gunvor Hofmo.
Ocean Waves
Concert with Nanset Wind Ensemble.
The ensemble constantly reaches new milestones and in the future the public will meet the ensemble with various project conductors, all highly sought after both nationally and internationally.
First project conductor out is Trond Husebø.
Featured on the program is
Gisle Kverndokk: Oceans Waves – A concert Overture: Homage to Arne Nordheim.
Gisle Kverndokk grew up in Skien and is one of the country's leading living composers. Ocean waves is inspired by the shape of the roof of the Bølgen Cultural Center and is a joint commission from the Bølgen Cultural Center and the Oslo Philharmonic Orchestra on the occasion of the orchestra's 100th anniversary and the Bølgen Cultural Center's 10th anniversary in 2019. The work is a tribute to Larvik's honorary citizen Arne Nordheim . The commission came about after an idea from the Philharmonic's solo percussionist, Christian Berg, from Larvik.
Toner i Steen
World premiere of «Toner i Steen» for String Quintet. Gisle Kverndokk's work is specially composed for the Midtåsen sculpture pavilion.
A tribute to the sculptor Knut Steen who would have turned 100 on 19 November.
Performed by Elise Båtnes and Maria A. Carlsen, violin - Henninge Landaas, viola - Louisa Tuck, cello and Kenneth Ryland, double bass.
I anledning Knut Steens 100 års jubileum.
Ingrid fra Barrøy
The new opera "Ingrid fra Barrøy" is a sensual dive into the soul of a society characterized by tradition and dreams, hope and longing. Let yourself be captivated by the drama, let yourself be seduced by the music and let yourself be carried away by the story. The musical expression is both dramatic and modern, but is also within a romantic and melodic tonal language.
Hvor kjærlighet er...
World premiere of the cantata “Hvor kjærlighet er…”. Text by Aksel-Otto Bull, based on Leo Tolstoy’s story. Oslo Cathedral Choir, conducted by Vivianne Sydnes.