Biography

Gjermund Larsen Trio

Gjermund Larsen is one of Norway's most beloved folk musicians. With his playful and emotional fiddle playing, he captures a wide range of listeners, extending far beyond the traditional folk music audience. In Gjermund Larsen Trio – he is joined by Andreas Utnem, harmonium/piano, and Sondre Meisfjord, double bass. Since their first release in 2008 they have received extensive acknowledgement and several awards, including the Norwegian Grammy (2008), German phonographic critics award (2015), and the Norwegian Grammy as composer of the year (2016). The fall 2023 Gjermund Larsen trio launched their fifth album, Tøyen Sessions, and as usual, all music is composed by Gjermund himself.

Gjermund Larsen Trio – Tøyen Sessions

Seven years after the previous release, Gjermund Larsen Trio finally comes with its long- awaited sequel, Tøyen Sessions. The album was conceived as early as 2019, but was first recorded in its entirety in the Tøyen Church in January 2023. The church has been the trio's rehearsal space since its inception in 2005, so on this release the music is definitely on home soil. Gjermund Larsen is without a doubt one of Norway's most famous and beloved folk musicians, who with his playful and emotional fiddle playing has captured a wide audience that extends beyond the traditional folk music audience.

The trio, which consists of Gjermund Larsen (fiddle), Andreas Utnem (piano) and Sondre Meisfjord (double bass), has since its first release in 2008 garnered praise, cheers and a number of awards, including both Norwegian Grammy (2008), German phonographic critics award (2015) and the Norwegian Grammy as composer of the year (2016).

Tøyen Sessions takes you on a journey through both the day and the year with its beginning Morgenslått (Morningsong), via April, Sankthansvals (Midsumer Walzt), to Kveldsvals (evening waltz), and is beautifully and exquisitely played by the trio who once again show their unique ability for interaction, dynamics and playfulness. Gjermund Larsen's compositions are warm and emotionally charged, and give an insight into the time Gjermund has been through in recent years, such as the elated April that was written when the lockdown in 2020 was over and his four children could finally return to school and kindergarten. On the album you will also find Vintermarsj (Winter march), a commissioned piece for the Vinterfestspill i Bergstaden, which is intended to be played every year during the festival. Listen and let yourself be carried away by Gjermund Larsen Trio's distinctive sound and compositions when this album is finally released in October 2023.

Gjermund Larsen

Gjermund Larsen (b.1981) is without a doubt one of Norway's most famous and beloved folk musicians, who with his playful and emotional fiddle playing has captured a wide audience that extends far beyond the traditional folk music audience. Gjermund's musical background is the traditional music from his hometown Verdal, primarily learned from his father Geir Egil Larsen, and the tradition of the fiddler Hilmar Alexandersen (1902-1993) from Steinkjer. In 2002, Gjermund became the youngest ever winner of the Landskappleiken on ordinary fiddle, and also received the king's trophy during the Landskappleiken in 2005.

After completing his diploma in folk music at NMH in 2008, Gjermund has had extensive concert and composing activities. Among other things, he has composed a number of commissioned works for Norwegian festivals and ensembles, written music for several theater and dance performances, as well as music for the film documentary Fremmed blod (2020), and together with Tyra Tønessen the musical Havfruen (2022) at Trøndelag Teater.

The year-long collaboration with the Trondheim Soloists has resulted in four commissioned works, three albums, two Norwegian Grammys (2008/2014), and a nomination for the Grammy Awards in 2010. Gjermund has also for a number of years collaborated with The Norwegian Soloists Choir on several albums and concerts at home and abroad.

In addition, he has been a soloist with orchestras such as the Oslo Philharmonic, KORK, Stavanger Symphony Orchestra, Trondheim Symphony Orchestra, SWR Sinfonieorchester, Ensemble Modern and London Philarmonian. Gjermund also collaborates with his brother Einar Olav Larsen, Eldbjørg and Ragnhild Hemsing, Frode Haltli and Eirik Hegdahl, among others. He has also received the Norwegian Grammy together with Majorstuen (2003) and the Christian Wallumrød Ensemble (2013), and in 2018 he was the first to receive the Trøndelag County Culture Award.

Gjermund's main venture in recent years has nevertheless been the Gjermund Larsen Trio. The trio made their debut with the album «Ankomst» in 2008, and for that they received the Norwegian Grammy. During the Norwegian Grammy 2017, Gjermund received TONO's composer prize for the trio's fourth album «Salmeklang». In the autumn of 2023, the Trio released their fifth album «Tøyen Sessions», where all music is, as usual, signed by Gjermund himself.