Few can play the harmonica so sweetly and with such personal voice as Sigmund Groven. This time he is concert with a symphony orchestra!
From Beatles Classics To Original Music
In 2004 he released the CD Here, There and Everywhere, with music by, among others, Lennon / McCartney, Beatles producer George Martin and himself. Now he´s back with the CD release PhilHarmonica. Although the harmonica has noble roots, it is young as a concert instrument in the classical tradition: it was not until the middle of the 1900s it found its way to the concert hall. PhilHarmonica contains original music for harmonica and orchestra through 60 years by the French composer Darius Milhaud, the Brazilian Heitor Villa-Lobos and the Norwegian composer Terje Rypdal and Kenneth Sivertsen, besides Groven´s own work, "Legends of Harmonica and String Orchestra" (2003). Sigmund Groven and The Norwegian Radio Orchestra, conducted by Christian Eggen, proves that they are able to provide a refreshing twist to a more classical repertoire. Groven is the only living harmonica player with the musical overview and technical virtuosity needed to be able to meet with these works, and is therefore dominating the music market with music for harmonica and orchestra.
Music Ambassador
In 2005, it has been 40 years since Sigmund Groven delivered his first solo concert, and 30 years since his first own album release. Groven´s impressive career shows that he is one of Norway´s most important musical ambassadors. Over the last few years he has been touring the U.S., including a concert in Carnegie Hall, concerts in Europe with the English Academy of St. Martin in the Fields Chamber Ensemble, Rotterdam Philharmonic Orchestra and the Mozarteum orchestra in Salzburg, as well as solo concerts including Hong Kong Concert Hall, Kyoto Concert Hall, Casals Hall in Tokyo and in the Oslo Concert Hall. Sigmund Groven is more in demand than ever: in April, he has his own concert at the Festival of Budapest.
Words about Sigmund Groven
– In the right hands, the humble harmonica is an advanced instrument of great beauty. Sigmund Groven, like Tommy Reilly and Larry Adler before him, takes full advantage of the harmonica´s great range and sound possibilities. He is a brilliant musician and is today arguably one of the finest harmonica performers in the world. [Sir George Martin, producer of The Beatles]
– His pure, crystal clear tone has an ethereal beauty. He is an incomparable musician, and his last concert was the most profound musical experience I’ve had. [Woodstock Bulletin, Sydney, Australia]
