Stavanger bystyre har satt av 18 millioner kroner til et fond som skal sikre langtidseffektene av kulturbyåret. Et veldig positivt og etterlengtet tiltak i en by som viser gjentatt vilje til satsing på kultur.

Catch Light is a double concerto for violin and percussion. The Percussion part is built around a Bass drum, which is used for various purposes. The violin part origins in the light, airy register. The two soloists are working on their respective threads, independently but with related ideas. Like a continuous conversation between two persons that keep a certain distance. Traces remain in the orchestra, as veins of sound.

Jan/februar - febrilsk skriving
5 mars - konsert Baptistkirken Rjukan, med Elisabeth Vatn, sekkepipe
7 mars - konsert Oslo Konserthus (12:00)   -  “  -
14 mars - Crossing Grieg, Stavanger
26 mars - premiere Dobbeltkonsert fiolin/slagverk/orkester - Borealis festival, Bergen
30 mai - premiere MAZURKA, Festspillene Bergen, med Gjertruds Sigøynerorkester
31 mai - Ole Bull konsert med Gjertrud Økland og Georg Reiss
11 juni - Engleskyts, Fjell kirke, Drammen

17 sep 23:15 TV report (NRK 1 / Petter Nome) from my work at the Chamber Music Festival in Stavanger, in August.

18 sep Trans Europe Halles meeting #66 starting at Tou Scene

19 sep 09:30 A few song with Anne-Lise Berntsen in Domkirken, Stavanger, opening concert of Nordic Church Music Symposium

We went four hours out in the sea, west of Bodø, and this is when Røst appears… 365 islands, 620 inhabitants, who knows how many birds, hotspot of Norway’s stockfish export and a cute, rustic place to stay at Kårøy - of course on its own island. Perfect sidestep to a visit to the festival Nordland Musikkfestuke.

The Kitchen Five are currently performing in this new dance production at Tou Scene. All eight performances seem to be sold out. More on Inbal Pinto Dance Company. More on Kitchen Orchestra. And this is one of the major items of the Stavanger2008 European Capital of Culture programme.

Third day in Shanghai, guests of Shanghai Spring Music festival, travelling with eight Danish & Norwegian composers. Rehearsing composition “Close at Distance” for the Chinese traditional instrument Yang Qin + symphony orchestra. The piece is based on the tune “A Wandering Girl Singer” and is written with valuable help from the soloist Cao Yun. Concert on Sunday May 11th!

This one is now released on Zang Records.  Contributions by: Sindre Bjerga, Kurt Bolianatz, Jan-Morten Iversen, Anders Gjerde, Helge Olav Øksendal, Pål Asle Pettersen.