World premiere on the collaboration between Elias Akselsen and the Norwegian Radio Orchestra
In celebration of the International Roma Day on April 8th, Elias and Veronica Akselsen are releasing a truly unique recording in collaboration with the Norwegian Radio Orchestra. A Romani Symphony.
Elias and Veronica belong to a people who were Norway's first immigrants. The first person of Romani descent arrived in Norway in 1499. Since then, Romani music has been a cultural treasure mostly practiced within their own circles, largely because Romani people assumed that this music was something others wouldn't appreciate. Considering the Norwegian state's historical attitude towards much of Romani culture, this assumption was understandable. The culture was to be eradicated, Romani people were deprived of children, language, and music, and were interned in penal institutions, in addition to forced sterilization and lobotomy being carried out. In 1998, Minister Ragnhild Queseth Haarstad offered the Romani people an unconditional apology for the treatment they had endured at the hands of Norwegian authorities.
Today, we are fortunate to be able to hear two of the best tradition bearers of Romani music performing alongside KORK (The Norwegian Radio Orchestra), Giani Lincan, Ola Kvernberg, and Stian Carstensen. This recording is historic as it marks the first time in world history that Romani music has been arranged and recorded with a classical orchestra! We are delighted that Elias and Veronica draw from their rich sources and share this powerful, personal, and touching music with us; both of them are professors in something one cannot obtain scholar papers for!
The recording took place on November 10, 2023, at Store Studio, during a beautiful concert in front of an enthusiastic audience. With orchestral arrangements by Helge Sunde and musical contributions and arrangements by Stian Carstensen, Ola Kvernberg, and Giani Lincan, this release offers a new perspective on the timeless melodies preserved within the Romani community.
"I Tatersymfoni" is not just a musical experience; it is also a historical narrative of resistance, survival, and cultural heritage. Elias and Veronica Akselsen, both recognized torchbearers of tradition and masters of their art, bring their strong personal presence to this unique release.
Keywords
Contacts
Jade Marie Hasselgård
Tel:+47 952 21 196jade@grappa.noImages
Links
About Grappa
Grappa Musikkforlag was established in 1983, and is the oldest and largest independent record company in Norway. Home of many prestigious labels including Hubro, Simax Classics, Odin, Blue Mood, Heilo, Barneselskapet and Grappa label. Close collaborations with other strong indies, including Rune Grammofon and Drabant. A wide variety of genres includes jazz, folk, classical, contemporary, pop, rock, blues, singer/songwriter – all from Norwegian artists of the highest quality.
Alternative languages
Subscribe to releases from Sounds Like Gold
Subscribe to all the latest releases from Sounds Like Gold by registering your e-mail address below. You can unsubscribe at any time.
Latest releases from Sounds Like Gold
Tiril Heide-Steen med norske gjentolkninger av jazzklassikere, albumet "Vi sees" er ute nå!19.9.2025 09:50:00 CEST | Pressemelding
Tiril Heide-Steen gir nytt liv til jazzklassikere i norsk språkdrakt. Hennes debutalbum "Vi sees" er ute i dag og feires med konsert på Victoria Jazzscene 21. september.
Kenneth Lien og Center of the Universe slipper "Norwegian Electronic Folk Music"19.9.2025 09:00:00 CEST | Pressemelding
Etter suksessen med det kritikerroste albumet Snu hver stein (2023), er Kenneth Lien og Center of the Universe tilbake med et nytt album som viderefører deres unike prosjekt: Å skape elektronisk folkemusikk med dype røtter i den norske tradisjonen.
Kenneth Lien and Center of the Universe releases "Norwegian Electronic Folk Music"19.9.2025 09:00:00 CEST | Press release
Following the success of the critically acclaimed album Snu hver stein (2023), Kenneth Lien and Center of the Universe return with a new release that continues their unique project: creating electronic folk music deeply rooted in Norwegian tradition.
JULIANA VENTER & ROLF-ERIK NYSTRØM gir ut sitt debutalbum som duo - KASSANDRA er ute i dag!19.9.2025 08:30:00 CEST | Pressemelding
De to uvanlig grensesprengende og sjangerfrie artistene, opprinnelig fra hver sin ende av kloden, slipper sitt etterlengtede debutalbum Kassandra. Her tar duoen oss med inn i sitt unike musikalske univers og presenterer oss for sitt mangeårige samarbeid og intime samspill. Albumslipp blir markert med releasekonsert på Victoria Nasjonale Jazzscene 1.oktober.
«Twins of Træna» – en varm og billedrik førstesingel fra Trond Kallevågs kommende album - ute i dag12.9.2025 09:05:00 CEST | Pressemelding
Under et kunstneropphold på Træna oppdaget Trond Kallevåg en samling unike gamle sort-hvitt-fotografier – og en søskenhistorie som aldri ble fullført. Nå blir den til lyd, i første singel fra det kommende albumet Minnesota.
In our pressroom you can read all our latest releases, find our press contacts, images, documents and other relevant information about us.
Visit our pressroom