Page 38 - DIVA_1_2009

THE SINGING NEIGHBORHOOD

Interview with øystein Fevang, musician, singer
conductor and man of culture

coincidences. In fact, I Q: You have been nomi-
started with piano lessons nated for the Grammy
late
at the age of 15. I
award twice. Could you
played and sang in a band, tell us a little more
and then I decided that about that?
rather than having piano
lessons I should try for The year after my gradua-
tion, in 1996, Oslo
so I did.
singing lessons
Later, I wanted to study at Philharmonic Chamber
the conservatoire and signed Choir, one of the best choirs
up for classical piano, but on in Norway ceased to exist
the day of the auditions I did due to economic reasons,
not dare to go. My singing but the members wanted to
teacher told me: "I have continue, so Ensemble96
never heard you play the was created. I was asked to
piano, but I'm sure of one take over and I
thing, if you apply for a conducted/managed them
singing course at the for ten years. I made them
Lately, the Norwegian 82, share one thing Conservatoire, I'm sure you participate in international
TV audience has been the joy of singing. The will get it! We will start competitions where we won
thrilled by a new docu- series sends out the working towards this goal." many prizes, and we also
mentary series: "The positive message that One year later, I was admit- recorded some CDs. The
Neighbour- nothing is impossible if ted and I studied singing for
Singing record, Immortal Nystedt,
hood". The plot is sim- you really want it, and five years. While at the with music by contempora-
ple: turn a group of that each human being Conservatoire, we were ry composer Knut Nystedt,
amateurs into a high- has a gift for some- given a course in choral was nominated for Grammy
level choir in less than thing. conducting; something I in the categories "Best cho-
ten weeks, and make really did not know any- ral performance, and also
them capable of singing The person behind this thing about. My professor the "best surround sound
Carmina Burana along- initiative is the told me: "Find yourself an album".
side
the
Oslo conductor of the Oslo amateur choir to work
Philharmonic Orchestra Philharmonic Choir, a with." So I did! One thing It was quite incredible! I
in the Oslo Concert two time Grammy nomi- leads to another and I really could not believe my
Hall. nee, øystein Fevang. thought this was great fun. I ears when a journalist called
Despite his inter- decided to continue my to tell me about the nomina-
The area of Stovner in national recognition, studies at the Norwegian tion. However, I must admit
the eastern suburbs of øystein remains very Academy for Music where I that I was and still am very
Oslo was where it took down to earth. He has did a masters degree in pleased because I'm very
place. Although the just accepted another choral directing. It was at fond of this record. I think
physical distance bet- challenge: to set up an the age of 30 that I it's great! We worked so
ween this area of Oslo international cultural completed my studies. hard to get the financing—
and the Oslo Concert centre in Horten, a there was no official sub-
Hall is not great, the small city 80 kilometres Q: It seems as if you vention or support and
socio-cultural barriers south of Oslo, where enjoy your work? then we receive this nomi-
were very high. Stovner accommodation, music nation.
is not known for being a and arts will be the I love to work with people,
white-collar area. priority. and I'm very happy that I I conducted this choir for ten
did not just become a singer, years, and I had in fact alrea-
The popularity of the Q: Could you tell us a or just a musician. Every dy been offered the job as
series is due to its little bit about your year I work with thousands Conductor of the Oslo
human touch. The sin- background? of people, mainly teaching Philharmonic Choir when
gers, aged from 17 to them how to sing. these Grammy nominations
It's really a matter of arrived, so it was a tremen-
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