Bjerkestrand and Tellefsen: Breaking Beethoven
Genre blind Beethoven from Arve Tellefsen to Frode Alnæs in Molde Cathedral.
Beethoven at a jazz festival? Yes, in 2020 it is 250 years since Ludwig van Beethoven was born. For this occasion, Kjetil Bjerkestrand and Arve Tellefsen have brewed a tasty cocktail of jazz people and classics for a large-scale celebration in Molde Cathedral. Enjoy the company of Frode Alnæs, Håkon Kornstad, Ellen Andrea Wang, Rune Arnesen, Frida Fredrikke Waaler Wærvågen and Jie Zhang, in addition to Tellefsen and Bjerkestrand themselves.
When Tellefsen and Bjerkestrand presented Breaking Bach a couple of years ago, a critic wrote that Johann Sebastian was rotating in his grave as he snapped his fingers and trampled the beat. When the two now has produced a performance in which they present Beethoven's music in a partially new costume at Moldejazz's closing concert, it is also about playfulness and seriousness going into a higher unity. Some of Beethoven's most well-known (perhaps also unknown?) works are played both in original versions and in an improvised and arranged form. It may be both to and from Elise, and by moonlight, it may this time grow something exciting.
There is a lot of sparkling material to grasp – the 5th symphony is probably one of the world's most famous pieces of music. Beethoven composes a theme, and after only 4 notes, our entire civilization recognises the music. That is genius!
This will be a revered tribute to Ludwig van Beethoven.
Arve Tellefsen – violin, Frida Fredrikke Waaler Wærvågen – cello, Jie Zhang – grand piano, Håkon Kornstad – saxophone/vocals, Ellen Andrea Wang – double bass/vocals, Rune Arnesen – percussion, Frode Alnæs – guitar, Kjetil Bjerkestrand – keys.