Ensemble neoN
The Ensemble neoN was formed by musicians and composers from the Norwegian Academy of Music during 2008, by the initiative of Julian Skar and Jan Martin Smørdal. The crew consists of both performers with a degree and musicians still under education. Today the ensemble counts ten musicians, with quite dissimilar musical preferences, yet united in a flat communal structure.
Ensemble neoN attempts to define what operating within the terms of “current music” actually means. On a rich musical scene, where boundaries are constantly reinvented and broken, Ensemble neoN wishes to inspire by further stimulating the continuation of breaking borders while simultaneously continuing the dialogue.
Ensemble neoN has during the course of 2009 initiated several commissioned works, on their private initiative, as well as together with Ny Musikks Komponistgruppe. Among other things, they co-operate on a violin concert for the soloist Kari Rønnekleiv by Ole Henrik Moe, and other pieces by Jørgen Karlstrøm and Erik S. Dæhlin adjusted to fit the crew.
During the 2009 Ultima Festival, the ensemble is officially launched, as they will perform four new pieces by young composers. The pieces are the results of a workshop in collaboration with Ny Musikks Komponistgruppe and the Ultima Festival. In 2010, the ensemble will perform at the Ilios Festival together with the performer Susanna Wallumrød.
The following musicians form part of the ensemble: Følgende er med: Yumi Murakami (flute), Kristine Tjøgersen (clarinet), Ida Zimmermann (saxophone), Maren Tjernslie (trumpet), Solmund Nystabakk (guitar), Silje Aker Johnsen (soprano), Heloisa Amara (piano), Wendy Greenberg (percussion), Karin Hellqvist (violin), Inga Byrkjeland (cello). Jan Martin Smørdal and Julian Skar occasionally contribute on electronics. Conductor is Magnus Loddgård.