So you say you have never visited Snefjord? Either had the young composer and percussionist Kristine Hansen Nordgaren who presents a world premiere of a mobile concert, strongly inspired by the extinct joik and village life of Snefjord.
Kristine Hansen Nordgaren tops off this premiere with the launch of a new album (with the same title) comprising of music from this project, which she has written over the course of a year. This gifted young musician was announced as the recipient of the Arctic Arts Festival´s Young Artist Stipend in 2016 by the Minister of Culture at last year´s festival.
”A focus upon Snefjord” comprises of five self-written pieces, deeply inspired by the extinct coastal Sámi joik tradition, which this young composer now recreates following the discovery of the book: "I wish to joik about my lover", written by Ola Graff. As the basis for the project: ”A focus upon Snefjord”, Kristine has chosen personal joiks, that give us a glimpse of village life and the environment of Snefjord, which she visited in Winter. Hansen Nordgaren has enlisted the help of colleagues from the Conservatory of Music in Tromsø who, in the guise of Trio Snefjord premiere this groundbreaking work. In addition, Ola Graff acts as a guide whilst Johan Máhtte Skum will sing traditional joiks.
In one of the movements the public will meet Kristine´s very own instrument, the reinofon! The instrument contains twenty tuned reindeer bells. It was constructed by two instrument makers from Hurdal, Erik and Jan Olsen.
Snefjord is situated 71 degrees north and is a small village on Måsøy that once boasted a post office, bank, school and it´s own tiny fishing industry...
Kristine Hansen Nordgaren (26) graduated just before Christmas with a Masters in Classical Percussion Performance from the Conservatory of Music in Tromsø. The percussionist and composer is preoccupied with Sámi instruments, joik and culture. She grew up in Halden, but has family from Reine on the Lofoten Islands.
Fond for lyd og bilde have supported the release of the album.
Read an interview about the artist´s first encounter with Snefjord, on the blog arcticarts.no.