Norwegian Radio Orchestra, Ingar Bergby - Ylg, hof, Udjat! - concerts for soloists and orchestra by Karsten Brustad

Ylg (2012) concerto for two flutes, piccolo and orchestra. The piece is a commission from Co-Principal Flutist Norwegian Radio Orchestra Anne Karine Hauge with support from the Norwegian Culture Fund. The title Ylg is from Norse mythology and the book Younger Edda. Here it is described that long before the earth came into being, Nivlheim was made. In the middle of it is a well called Kvergjelme. From it flow the rivers Sval, Gunntra, etc., including Ylg. The music is both eruptive, rhythmically moving, and mythically contemplative - energy and atmosphere.

hof (2015) concerto for timpani and orchestra. The piece is a commission from Principal Timpani Norwegian Radio Orchestra Rune Halvorsen with support from the Norwegian Culture Fund. The word hof is Old Norse, and has three meanings: possibility, discretion/ meaning/understanding and farm/ court/temple. The timpani are often called the second conductor in an orchestra. During the first performance of hof, Rune Halvorsen was both soloist/ timpanist/the second conductor, and conductor of the orchestra. A setup with five timpani is voluminous and very visible as a soloist in front of an orchestra. Just as clearly as the old Hov were located in the landscape.

Udjat (2005) concerto for euphonium, electronics and orchestra. The piece is a commission from Geir Davidsen and Tromso Symphony Orchestra with support from Komponistenes vederlagsfond In 1999 I had the pleasure of collaborating with Geir Davidsen on a new piece for euphonium solo, Wrsh. It became a kind of musical evaluation of many new playing techniques developed by Geir. After that, we wanted to continue the collaboration, put the instrument euphonium into a larger context and use the new playing techniques further in an expanded musical universe. The result was Udjat.