Solmund Nystabakk
After three years study in Finland, the guitar player Solmund Nystabakk is returning to the Norwegian contemporary music scene. Solmund Nystabakk (b. 1982) won the 1st price in the challenge “Ungdommens Musikkmesterskap” in 2004. He grew up in Sørfold in the North of Norway, but now lives in Helsinki, where he earlier this year completed his master’s study at the Sibelius Academy. He also studied at the Norwegian Academy of Music and has since 2001 participated in a series of master-classes along with some of the world’s leading guitar players.
Since 2001, Nystabakk has enjoyed an active career as musician, touring extensively in Norway, Scandinavia and the Balkan States. In connection with various theatre performances in the North of Norway, he has participated both as composer and musician, and since 2003 he has been the musical leader of the ensemble Uendelig Teater in Sørfold.
In addition to guitar, he plays the theorbe, a kind of combination of lute and guitar, with an additional casing for the bass strings. Even though folk tones, early music and Fernando Sor are among his repertoire, his latter performances have not been without a distinct contemporary profile. He is also one half of the experimental improvisation duo Ricercari, and he has participated in several open constellations.