HIMMELSKYGGE

Himmelskygge, an ambitious new album uniting mezzo‑soprano Hege Høisæter, pianist Jorunn Marie Bratlie, composer‑performer Kari Telstad Sundet (electronics), and the jazz ensemble Tov a Vot consisting of Vetle Nærø (piano/keys), Theis Jakob (bass) and Ola Grindbakken (drums).

Himmelskygge presents a rich panorama of Norwegian contemporary song, weaving together works by established composers and bold new voices. The album moves fluidly between classical tradition, experimental textures, and improvisational impulses, creating a sound world where boundaries dissolve and artistic identities meet.

At the heart of the release is Kari Telstad Sundet’s cycle The Drift, a striking contribution to the contemporary Norwegian repertoire. Setting texts by Emily Dickinson, Sundet blends acoustic and electronic elements with vocal writing that is both intimate and exploratory. Her dual role as composer and performer adds a distinctive sonic signature to the album.

The program also features works by Olav Anton Thommessen, Carl Gustav Sparre Olsen, Theis Jakob, and Gisle Kverndokk, offering a broad and compelling portrait of Norwegian musical expression across generations. From Thommessen’s dramatic reimagining of Wagnerian material to Sparre Olsen’s lyrical clarity, from Theis Jakob Høisæter’s dystopian vocal landscapes to Kverndokk’s luminous Ave Verum, the album highlights the diversity and vitality of contemporary Nordic art music.