BrassWind 2008, a festival for brass, wind and percussion will be taking place this weekend in Bergen, Norway.

Progressive music

The Festival is a direct result of the progressive work from Manger Musikklag, in the field of contemporary music since the early eighties, when Michael Antrobus entered the Norwegian stage of brass banding.

Michael introduced the band to contemporary music and since then MML has commissioned and premiered a lot of new works from a broad range of composers.

For three days, people can explore music for brass bands, ensembles and soloist that manyu have probably never heard before, and not one piece of music written for a contest!Torstein Aagaard-Nilsen

Cooperative work

The festival is a cooperative work from Manger Musikklag and composer Torstein Aagaard-Nilsen, with fundings mainly from the Norwegian Band Federation, The Norwgian Cultural Fund and Bergen Cultural Affairs.

On Saturday, four top-bands will play during the day, including Manger Musikklag, Krohnengen, Tertnes and Dragefjellets Musikkorps, the Norwegian Wind Band Champion in 2006 and 2007.

All female group

Also taking part on the Firday night are leading professional
Norwegian Wind Ensembles from the Bergen Military Band and the Bergen New Trombone Quartet, BNTQ, aan all female group founded by Camilla S. Tveit and Grethe Tonheim.

On Sunday, the leading scandinavian brass quintet, Stockholm Chamber Brass will perform.

Artistic Director, Torstein Aagaard-Nilsen told 4BR: "For three days, people can explore music for brass bands, ensembles and soloist that manyu have probably never heard before, and not one piece of music written for a contest!"