EDVARD Prize to Øyvind Torvund

Øyvind Torvund is the winner of the 2017 EDVARD Prize in the Contemporary category, for «Sweet Pieces».

Torvund will be presented with the award in the Bergen University Aula during the BrassWind festival on 30.09. The award will be presented on behalf of the EDVARD jury by Stine Sørlie (Norwegian Composers' Association). The award consists of a trophy by Bruno Oldani, a diploma and 50.000 kroner. "Sweet Pieces" was commissioned for nyMusikk's Only Connect festival in 2016, performed by the Oslo Philharmonic.

JURY'S REASONING:
"Sweet Pieces" is constructed as an unheard-of fusion of two archetypes – a tonally languishing orchestra and a monophonic analog synthesizer. The work has thrilled both the audience and the press, and communicates well far beyond the initiated company. The work occasionally has an almost romantic expression, but at the same time one has never heard anything like it. This is a piece of music that fascinates and surprises.

Torvund offers lush string chords, and is virtuoso in his use of broken expectations. The composer revels in the orchestra's toolbox without losing his tight grip. The synth soloist adds an extra layer of color to the orchestral palette, and the combination of Moog solos dancing on top of the orchestra's effervescence is very elegantly crafted. The work is both humorous and seductive in its lush orchestration.

"Sweet Pieces" is repetitive and episodic, and in its formal structure the work has no intention of getting anywhere. In other words: To start in one place and move towards another. This work is just meant to be, and this very conscious compositional choice means that the experience of the work is turned away from what you actually hear. Instead, you start to think: "What is this work trying to show me?" We don't need to know - the wonder is often the whole point. We congratulate Øyvind Torvund on a well-deserved EDVARD prize."

The EDVARD Prize
The EDVARD Prize, named after Edvard Grieg, is a prize that TONO has awarded annually since 1998, and which is awarded to authors and composers who have created musical works and lyrics of high artistic quality. With the prize, TONO wants to increase attention to Norwegian composers and lyricists, and to increase Norwegians' understanding of and knowledge of newly written Norwegian music. The winner's music or lyrics must have been premiered or published in the previous year. Emphasis is also placed on the author's other production.

The 2017 EDVARD jury consisted of composers Arvid Wam Solvang, Hilde Wahl, Therese Birkelund Ulvo, Klaus Sandvik, Rita Engedalen, Gøran Grini, Jan Stefan Bengtsson and Stine Lieng.

For more information:
Janne Sievers, communications advisor at TONO, mobile 95760286, email: janne.sievers@tono.no

Photo: Dimitri Djuric