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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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!

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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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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.