BRASS BAND: Fest i Dovregubbens hall/Festival in the Hall of the Mountain King Edvard Grieg / Arr. Idar Torskangerpoll

This Piece is a section of ljóðatal, a concert programme commissioned by Oslofjord Brass for the 2006 Siddis Brass Contest in Stavanger
The norse word 'ljóðatal' is a combination of 'ljóð', which means sound, and 'tal', which means language. Hence, the meaning of 'ljóðatal' is to express yourself through music. The Norwegian folk music finds its roots in the old farming community. They needed music for ceremonies, labour, childcare, celebration, story telling, or just to express their inmost feelings.
Ljóðatal is a musical voyage through 1000 years, with one piece of music for each of the mentioned occasions.

Music for ceremonies: Magnus-hymnen (St. Magnus Hymn)
This hymn tune from the 11th century is the oldest known polyphonic arrangement. The text is in Latin and dedicated to St. Magnus.

Music for work: BlindeKari-hallingen (Blind Kari-halling)
This melody was sung by the blind Kari when she used the spinning wheel.
Music for childcare: Blåmann, Blåmann (Old Norwegian shepherds song)
Most Norwegians have a special relation to this old, sad tune which has been used as a lullaby throughout the ages. Flugelhorn is the baby-sitter, and soloist.

Music for celebration: I Dovregubbens hall (In the Hall of the Mountain King)
When the Mountain King is having a party, it really swings. Every troll, gnome and nymph gathers in the Hall of the Mountain King, and dance all night making the whole mountain shake. Soloist on timpani, the Mountain King himself.

Music to express feelings: Song From a Secret Garden
Somewhere within us all there is a secret garden. A garden in which we can seek refuge when times are rough, or retire to in joy or contemplation. Gardeners in our secret garden are the soloists on cornet and Euphonium
Music as story telling: Knut-liten og Sylvelin (Little-Knut and Sylvelin)
Whith this melody, we once again knit the ties back to the middle age. The Norwegian group 'Gåte' have actualized this melody with their ferocious interpretation, which this arrangement is based on.

Idar Torskangerpoll (1970)
Idar was born in a small village called Torskangerpoll in the western part of Norway.
He grew up in a family where everyone played in the local wind-band. Idar attended the Universities of Trondheim and Oslo, where he studied composition on Master-degree level. His production spans from music for beginning band via chamber-music pieces to symphonies for band and solo-concertos. Idar is also active as conductor for bands all over Norway, and as a lecturer and teacher on courses arranged by the Norwegian Band Federation. All of Idar's published works are available from Norsk Noteservice as