Sons of Norway, Vikings of Lake Lodge is hosting a performance by pianist Knut Erik Jensen from Trondheim, Norway, at 2 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 17, at Galilee Lutheran Church, 8860 Soda Bay Road in Kelseyville.
Jensen”s performance showcases the life and music of Edvard Grieg, “Norway”s greatest composer.” It is part of a three-week tour among southwestern parts of the USA that has been arranged in coooperation among Sons of Norway lodges.
Grieg was born in 1894 and, throughout his entire life, he sought deep into the spirit of the Norwegian people, the unique Norwegian nature and the folk music of rural Norway. His major goal was to create music that would give the Norwegian people an identity. Grieg died in 1907 and 2007 marks his passing”s 100th anniversary.
Norwegian artist Knut Jensen has made an evening of Grieg”s life and music, combining a piano recital with spoken word. The performance will focus on Grieg”s musical development from when he was a student in Leipzig up to his latest pieces from the early 1900s. Jensen”s performance will include famous pieces by Grieg as well as lesser-known works.
Jensen was born in Hell (outside Trondheim) in 1981 and was raised in Selbu, Norway.
Selbu was the home village of Bersvend Draxten, the first ever supreme president of Sons of Norway, before he emigrated to Minnesota with his father Ole. Jensen recently graduated from the Conservatory of Music in Trondheim with a Bachelor”s degree in the performing art of classical piano.
For more information about the upcoming performance, call Vikings of Lake Lodge President Mary Beth Ingvoldstad, 987-2404; or e-mail mbingvoldst@aol.com.
