Pieces of Wood
Pieces of Wood is my comission work for Trondheim Jazz Festival and premiered on May 10, 2024, at the festival.
The piece is an audiovisual concert performance where music, woodworking, and live video art complement and expand each other into a unison artistic expression.
On stage, a wood artist works alongside the musicians. The sound of the mallet mixes with the music. The back wall is filled with live-improvised film, stitching the concert into a cohesive cinematic performance.
The music is composed as one long piece, with recurring motifs creating a consistent thread. At the same time, the audience can watch wood artist Tore Reisch as he shapes a wooden landscape — both with the naked eye and through video artist Oscar Udbye's live visuals.
Supporters include the Norwegian Directorate for Cultural Heritage, the Audio and Visual Fund, Trondheim Municipality, and BERRE.
Sondre Ferstad - harmonica, accordion and viola
Helge Andreas Norbakken - percussion
Håkon Aase - violin
Selma French - violin, hardanger fiddle and vocals
Vegard Bjerkan - piano and pump organ
Tore Reisch - knives and chisels
Oscar Udbye - live visuals
Tor Breivik - sound tech
“It sounds like Norwegian folk music from a county no one has heard of. From a fjord branch that cannot be found on any map. (...) This concert experience is one of those I pack in my suitcase and take home with me”
“It was also interesting to experience how they played with and alongside woodcarver Reisch. This was music meant for reflection—to delve inward and become a part of”
Photo credit: Tor Egil Leirtrø