I Tatersymfoni – Elias Akselsen

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 and the record label Heilo.

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, 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.