Composer Kjell Samkopf is the winner of the 2012 Edvard Prize in the "Open Class" category. Samkopf, who has previously recorded and published hikes in the mountains, now receives the Edvard Prize for the release Burragorangian Stones, a 79-minute audio file with recordings from the Australian wilderness. According to the jury, the release fits naturally into Kjell Samkopf's project, where listening as an active act is central.
/ 10/09/2012 / codex– . Writes the jury in its reasoning.
Minister of Education Kristin Halvorsen presented the award during the opening of the "Arne Nordheim Center - Center for New and Experimental Music". The opening of the Arne Nordheim Center at the Norwegian Academy of Music is part of the Ultima Festival.
– says prize winner Kjell Samkopf in a comment.
The prize consists of Bruno Oldani's unique trophy, diploma and NOK 50.000.
Kjell Samkopf is unlike anyone else in Norwegian music. The man who has recorded hikes in the mountains and released them on record is not one to follow trends. The release Burragorangian Stones naturally fits into Samkopf's life project, where listening as an active action is central. Man is actively in interaction with nature's own "random", inevitable impulses and the result is refined in respect for this interaction - an exquisite balance is maintained. A 79-minute audio file with recordings from the Australian wilderness invites us on a performance-free journey of experience accompanied by a cover with carefully selected illustrations, small instructions and something reminiscent of a score. The work must be understood as a whole of all this. In a personal, balanced and sympathetic way, the composer encourages us to just be, or to let what happens happen, but a deeper experience awaits those who actively listen. With an agenda that makes little noise in the public sphere, it is all the more a pleasure for us to award TONO's Edvard Prize in the Open Class to Kjell Samkopf.
The Edvard Prize, named after Edvard Grieg, is an award that TONO awards to composers and songwriters for outstanding musical works. The prize is given to composers who have created musical works and lyrics of high artistic quality. With the prize, TONO wants to increase awareness of Norwegian composers and lyricists and increase people's understanding and knowledge of newly written Norwegian music. The winner's music or lyrics must have been premiered or published in the previous year. The composer's other production is also given importance. The jury consisted of Ingrid Kindem, Kari Bremnes, Maja Ratkje, Dag Krogsvold, Lars Petter Hagen and Synne Skouen (jury chair).