Together with pianist Isak Austnes Brekken and percussionist Martin Sira Ulvin they create both a unique instrumentation as well as unique ways of preparing and using their instruments, resulting in an entirely new fresh sound world.
For this occasion, the ensemble has been extended with bassist Johannes Elnan, violinists Hannah Kallestad and Karl Jogi, violist Laura Madaliso Beer Kumwenda and cellist Andrine Dyblie Erdal. All have been working extensively in different fields and bring with them expressions from jazz, contemporary music and classical music. Connected by a search for freedom and improvisation, the ensemble generates a unique sound that merges chamber music and more improvised textures and grooves.
Proximity is about playfulness, connection and breaking with a traditional concert format.
The project started from a desire to transform the concert experience into something that is completely immersive, inviting an audience to become part of the performance by blurring the lines between audience, musicians and performers. It's also about finding connection and joy on stage, composing in a way that allows for maximum freedom.
During his two years at NMH, Wouter has researched using space as a compositional parameter. Playing with the positions of performers and audience, and how sound travels through a space, he has worked with distance and closeness as a main theme.
For this performance, the Oslo String Ensemble (OSC) will play a special role in revealing the outcome of this research. The ensemble connects improvising string players from the region and meets every two weeks at Becco to play an improvised performance.
Another big part of the process has been reinventing my own sound and expression. By swimming between jazz, classical and contemporary music I have taken from each what felt the most inspiring, and found an expression that feels personal and exciting. I couldn't have done this without the help of my mentors Jon Balke, Helge Lien, Sidsel Endresen, Helge Andreas Norbakken, Henning Kraggerud, Lene Gregager and Torben Snekkestad.
Thank you all for an incredibly inspiring and transforming two years!
