Poing to tour Japan
Renowned and unique contemporary trio POING head for the land of the rising sun to perform a repertoire of Norwegian and Japanese works.
With a pretty unique line-up that includes double bass, accordion and saxophones, POING represents a fresh and vital take on contemporary music. POING consists of accordionist Frode Haltli (who recently released his debut album on ECM New Series), saxophonist Rolf-Erik Nystrøm (who has performed in a wealth of genres with a multitude of bands and ensembles) and finally double bassist Håkon Thelin who in addition to solo work performs with such acclaimed ensembles as Cicada string quartet and Oslo Sinfonietta. All POING members share a common background from the Norwegian State Academy of Music.
POINGs Japanese tour, which runs from May 15-28, is a result of a unique organisational collaboration between the Norwegian POING trio and four Japanese composers. POING is set to perform at music/concert halls, museums, clubs and at the Asahi Breweries (which acts as POINGs main Japanese sponsor). POINGs Japanese tour is primarily supported by Norwegian institutions: The Norwegian Council for Cultural Affaires(commissions and ensemble support) The Foreign Ministry /MIC, The Sasakawa Foundation, Fund for Performing artists and The Norwegian Music Fund.
POING will play four world premieres by the young Japanese composers Sachiyo Tsurumi, Hiruyoki Yamamoto, Hideki Kozakura and Takmi Ikeda. The music is of a highly contemporary and very Japanese character resulting in an energy touch of that very special POING sound. For their scheduled gig at the JZ Brat club, POING will also share the stage with Helge Lien Trio for some genre-defying improvisation.
Says composer Sachiyo Tsurumi of her piece “SUSHIYA 009”: “I am interested in composing a happy music by my own way. There is a custom peculiar to Japanese on the end of the year. That is an appreciation of the Symphony No.9 of Beethoven. This chorus movement seems to drive many Japanese happy. Another material of happiness for Japanese is eating SUSHI. Most of Japanese eat SUSHI at ceremonial occasions, like a birthday, marriage, funeral,,, and more informal celebrations as well. SUSHI is very Japanese food.”
POING began performing in 1999, and has since become one of the most interesting ensembles for contemporary music in Norway, with more than twenty premiere performances of works by young Scandinavian composers. They have participated at large music festivals as well as in clubs playing mostly contemporary music, but have also explored free improvisation, Kurt Weill tunes and cabaret music. They have performed in all Nordic countries, all Baltic countries and in the Netherlands. POING will soon release their first CD, which will contain works by Norwegian composers Maja Solveig Kjelstrup Ratkje, Øyvind Torvund, Eivind Buene and Knut Olaf Sunde and improvisation. Composers to write works exclusively for POING in the near future include Michael Finnessy, Sam Hayden (GB), Richard Barrett (WAL), Volker Heyn (D), Rolf Wallin (N), Ross Hazeldine (AUS), Emanuelle Casale (IT), Bendik Hagerup and Ruben Sverre Giersten (N).
More info can be found here.
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