*
banner

Eikanger set for Vortex in Bergen

The Norwegian champion will showcase major works at the influential BrassWind Festival in Bergen this weekend — including Robert Simpson's rarely heard final work for the brass band medium.

eiknager
  The band won the 2019 National title in Bergen

Norwegian National champion Eikanger-Bjorsvik is to make a long awaited return to the influential BrassWind Festival in Bergen this weekend.

The event has been organised by leading composer Torstein Aagaard-Nilsen since 2004, with Eikanger taking to the stage for the first time since 2005 to coincide with their 70th anniversary celebrations.

Major works

The band will perform major works by Robert Simpson, Stig Nordhagen, John Mackey, Jim Grey and Knut Nystedt under the baton of MD Reid Gilje.

Band spokesperson Viggo Bjørge told 4BR: "The BrassWind Festival has become an important artistic event — one that enables major works to be showcased. We are delighted to return in our 70th anniversary year and our thanks go to the organisers."

Vortex

Eikanger will open their Staurday evening concert (8.30pm) at the Universitetsaulaen with Robert Simpson's rarely heard 'Vortex', his last work for the brass band medium.

Dedicated to fellow composer John Pickard as something of an apology for inadvertently 'stealing' the title from him, its characteristic triple-time pulse is maintained throughout, before the music, full of remarkable austere transparency is 'sucked' into a vortex of notational singularity.

Also being performed is Stig Nordhagen's 'Ground — Dream Sequences' which Eikanger commissioned from the composer.

The four movement work is stamped with the composer's darkly surreal compositional signature — one that was heard to stunning effect with his 'Myth Forest', which will be used as the set-work at the 2020 Norwegian National Championship.

...its characteristic triple-time pulse is maintained throughout, before the music, full of remarkable austere transparency is 'sucked' into a vortex of notational singularity4BR

Soloist

Solo trombone Vidar Norli, who is also the Principal Trombone of the Bergen Philharmonic Orchestra, will be the featured lead in John Mackey's 'Hymn to the Blue Hour', whilst the band will also showcase music linked to the jazz idiom in Geir Lysne's 'Aurora Borealis'.

'Immortal Bach', based on the hymn tune 'Kom susser Tod' is a tribute to the great composer by conductor and musician Knut Nystedt, with the concert concluding with American composer John Mackey's 'Asphalt Cocktail'.

The compere will be the respected music journalist and presenter Stein Skorpholm.

The festival is opened by the Norwegian Royal Navy Band of Bergen, conducted by Ingar H. Bergen, and is closed by Manger Musikklag conducted by Trond Husebø on Sunday afternoon.

Become a supporter and help make our future secure.

4barsrest continues to be a proudly independent voice. There are no paywalls to overcome to be able to enjoy what we do to keep our journalism at the heart of the brass banding world. Support us with a one-off donation or subscribe from just £2.50 per month.

Support us    


Brighouse

Result: 2025 British Open Championship

September 7 • Brighouse & Rastrick and Prof David King are inspired by Shakespeare and Prokofiev to claim the happiest of Symphony Hall endings on 'Star Crossed Lovers'.


Band Supplies

Band Supplies at the British Open

September 6 • Go up and meet one of the best blokes in the banding business world and he will make sure you get all the help you need for the best deals.


4BR Review

Recap on the 4BR British Open preview

September 6 • If you missed the live broadcast British Open preview on 4BR then you can just click and enjoy it again ahead of the action at Symphony Hall.


Mead

Why not be a judge at the Open this year?

September 6 • If you are following the 'Sar Crossed Lovers' action at Symphony Hall today, let us know who you think has won.


Contest: 171st British Open

Saturday 6 September • Broad Street, Birmingham. B1 2EA


Contest: Lower Sections 1-4 National Finals

Saturday 13 September • Cheltenham Racecourse, Evesham Road, Cheltenham GL50 4SH


Contest: Lower Sections 1-4 National Finals

Sunday 14 September • Cheltenham Racecourse, Evesham Road, Cheltenham. . *Please note as of 24th August 2023 the date is provisional according to Kapitol Promotions website GL50 4SH


Petworth Town Band - Petworth Town Band at Petworth Heritage weekend

Saturday 20 September • Centre of Petworth Town GU28 OAH


Cheltenham Silver Band - Holst Birthday Concert

Saturday 20 September • All Saints Church, All Saints Road, Pittville, Cheltenham GL52 2HG


wantage silver band

September 6 • Wantage Band (Championship Section) have vacancies for a Bb BASS PLAYER and THIRD CORNET to complete their line up. Plenty of great concerts from now until Christmas with the Welsh Open, L&SC Area, British Open Grand Shield and Whit Friday in 2026.


wantage silver band

September 6 • Positions vacant: wantage silver band: Wantage Community Brass (non-competitive) are looking to recruit a new Musical Director. The group is unique in that the average age is almost certainly around 70! They rehearse on Tue from 4pm and Thu from 7pm.


Crewe Brass

September 5 • We are looking for FLUGEL player to join our highly motivated 4th section band. We are a very welcoming and sociable band, with a positive outlook and a reasonably busy calendar of engagements. Other enquiries are welcome.


Jonathan Corry

Ph.D, M.Mus, B.Mus (hons)
Conductor, adjudicator, teacher.


               

 © 2025 4barsrest.com Ltd