Tag / music

by trondjs

21. Nathalie Lorichs and Steve Balsamo Singing “Pictured Within”

Vocalists Nathalie Lorichs and Steve Balsamo singing “Pictured Within”.

Nathalie Lorichs and Steve Balsamo

Nathalie Lorichs and Steve Balsamo singing “Pictured WIthin”

Nathalie Lorichs singing backing vocals and Steve Balsamo handling the lead vocals for “Pictured Within”.

Vocalist Steve Balsamo practically came “out of nowhere” when he impressed Andrew Lloyd Webber so much that he landed the title part in “Jesus Christ Superstar” in the production at the Lyceum Theatre in London from 1996 to 1997. His TV performance of “Gethsemane” reputedly sold tickets for the show for GBP 160,000 within half an hour, and saw the world famous composer calling him “one of the most exciting talents it’s ever been my privilege to discover”. Steve had only played the part at college prior to this.

In 1997 he also sang the part at Værnes Church during the Hell Blues Festival in Norway – where Knut Morten Johansen was one of the organizers. Knowing Knut Morten’s part in organizing Jon Lord’s orchestral concert in the Nidaros Cathedral in 2003 – the concert that in large part gave Jon the confidence to continue with his orchestral music – I wouldn’t have been surprised if Knut Morten was the one suggesting Steve as a fitting singer for Jon. But indeed – the man himself assures me that this was not the case, and that Jon and Steve starting to collaborate had nothing to do with him.

Steve Balsamo reputedly has a massive three and a half octave vocal range, thus nearly matching the vocal range of the young Ian Gillan – who sang the title part on the original studio version of “Jesus Christ Superstar“ in 1970. Steve matches Ian in vocal range, but has a distinctly different voice – what I would call a “cleaner” sound, where the young Ian Gillan could add a rawer, more powerful sound. Apples and oranges – both are / were great. Steve clearly states Ian’s version was a huge influence.

(A colour version of this photo has previously been published.)

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No usage without my written consent. Links to the blog and blogs posts on social media etc are of course OK, but stealing the photos without permission is not.

by trondjs

20. Jon Lord, Nathalie Lorichs, Steve Balsamo

Jon Lord, and singers Nathalie Lorichs and Steve Balsamo, about to play “Pictured Within”.

Jon Lord, Nathalie Lorichs, Steve Balsamo

From the left: Jon Lord, and singers Nathalie Lorichs and Steve Balsamo, about to play “Pictured Within”

As they’re launching into “Pictured Within”, the vocalists start to appear on stage.

The song was orginally recorded with Jon’s friend Miller Anderson singing. For this concert, Welsh vocalist Steve Balsamo was the main male vocalist. Steve had worked a lot with Jon the last years prior to this concert. They were working on an album of songs at the time, this sadly was never to be completed.
Swedish vocalist Nathalie Lorichs is the daughter of Christer Lorichs, a long time friend of Jon, so I think it’s safe to say she’s been raised on Jon’s music. She is also Martin Axenrot’s partner.

We’ll be seeing more of both of them in the coming posts.

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No usage without my written consent. Links to the blog and blogs posts on social media etc are of course OK, but stealing the photos without permission is not.

by trondjs

19. Pictured Within

Jon Lord with the sheet music for “Pictured Within” in front of him. Keyboardist Magnus Johansen in the background.

Jon Lord, Magnus Johansen

Jon Lord with the sheet music for “Pictured Within” in front of him. Keyboardist Magnus Johansen in the background.

About to begin the rehearsals for another number, Jon Lord sits at the grand piano with the sheet music in front of him. Keyboardist Magnus Johansen in the background.

In this photo the focal plane also is on the sheet music itself, so at least I (having access to the full size files and being able to zoom in to 100 %) can read what it says.
“Pictured Within“.

As conductor and friend Paul Mann writes on the notes for the score on the official Jon Lord page:

“Edward Elgar dedicated his Enigma Variations, a series of musical character sketches, ‘to my friends pictured within’, and it is from this that Jon took the title of his 1997 album.

The intensely elegiac nature of the album as a whole taps into that same peculiarly English vein of melancholy which Jon so loved about his great musical ancestor. As with its companion, Evening Song, Pictured Within contains clear references to Enigma’s most celebrated movement, Nimrod, and while the motivic resemblances may be subconscious, it is certainly no coincidence that Jon chose to reflect Elgar’s paean to the love of friends and family in his own very personal music.”

(Read the full text here.)

The album for which “Pictured Within” was the title track was released in 1998. Jon was still a member of Deep Purple, but none knew at the time that he had recorded his final studio album with the band. “Pictured Within” was Jon’s first work involving orchestral music since “Sarabande“ in 1976 and his first solo album since “Before I Forget” from 1982.

The album being mainly instrumental, the title track and two songs written with and sung by Sam Brown were the exceptions. The title track reflects the contemplative nature of the music.

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No usage without my written consent. Links to the blog and blogs posts on social media etc are of course OK, but stealing the photos without permission is not.

by trondjs

18. Sharing a Smile

Torodd Wigum, conductor, shares a smile with Jon Lord between two numbers.

Conductor Torodd WIgum and Jon Lord smiliing between numbers

Torodd WIgum, conductor, shares a smile with Jon Lord between two numbers.

A beautiful moment captured between two numbers at the rehearsals. Conductor Torodd Wigum and Jon Lord sharing a smile over some comment I’ve forgotten. Some of the orchestra members are seen joining in, too.

From people who were closer to the process leading up to the concert than me, I’ve been told that there was much admiration and respect between the orchestra and the composer – from both sides – as well an overall highly joyfull spirit.

And yes – those of you who have liked and follow this blog’s Facebook page, might recognize this photo as the header photo. Now you get to see the whole photo.

All Material: © Copyright Trond J. Strøm. All Rights Reserved.

No usage without my written consent. Links to the blog and blogs posts on social media etc are of course OK, but stealing the photos without permission is not.

by trondjs

17. A Different Viewpoint

Moving around to the back of the stage for a different viewpoint, on this photo we see Jon Lord, Magnus Johansen, Martín Méndez and Martin Axenrot from a new angle.

Jon Lord, Magnus Johansen, Martín Méndez, Martin Axenrot

Jon Lord, Magnus Johansen, Martín Méndez, Martin Axenrot seen from the back of the stage.

I was moving around to the back of the stage for a different view here. I think this was during the closing notes of “Gigue“, the wonderful track from Jon Lord’s “Sarabande“ album from 1976.

Photographically speaking, this is the contrast to photo 15 in this blog. This photo has the focus nailed on Jon himself at the other side of the stage. Taken at full aperture on the tele zoom I was using (f/2.8), the shallow depth of field is visible in that only Jon is truly sharp here. Bassist Martín Méndez is not quite focus, while Magnus Johansen on keyboards and drummer Martin Axenrot are slightly blurry. This adds to the feeling of depth and presence in the photo.

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No usage without my written consent. Links to the blog and blogs posts on social media etc are of course OK, but stealing the photos without permission is not.

by trondjs

16. Jon Lord

Jon Lord.

Jon Lord

Jon Lord in profile by the grand piano, sheet music in front of him.

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No usage without my written consent. Links to the blog and blogs posts on social media etc are of course OK, but stealing the photos without permission is not.

by trondjs

14. Violinists and Rockers

First violinists Sveinung Lillebjerka and Åse Våg Aaknes at the front, bass player Martín Méndez, drummer Martin Axenrot and keyboardist Magnus Johansen visible at the back.

Violinists and rockers

1. violinists Sveinung Lillebjerka and Åse Våg Aaknes at the front, bassist Martín Méndez, drummer Martin Axenrot and keyboardist Magnus Johansen at the back

First violinists Sveinung Lillebjerka and Åse Våg Aaknes at the front, bass player Martín Méndez, drummer Martin Axenrot and keyboardist Magnus Johansen visible at the back.

The latter three with their gaze fixed in the direction of Jon Lord.

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No usage without my written consent. Links to the blog and blogs posts on social media etc are of course OK, but stealing the photos without permission is not.

by trondjs

13. Jon Lord and Two Martins

Jon Lord, Martín Méndez and Martin Axenrot

Jon Lord, Martín Méndez and Martin Axenrot

Jon Lord by the grand piano, Martín Méndez on the bass and Martin Axenrot on the drums in the background. First violinist Ellen Samdal can be seen on the right side.

All Material: © Copyright Trond J. Strøm. All Rights Reserved.

No usage without my written consent. Links to the blog and blogs posts on social media etc are of course OK, but stealing the photos without permission is not.

by trondjs

12. Maestro and Conductor

Jon Lord with conductor Torodd Wigum in the background.

Jon Lord with conductor Torodd Wigum in the background

Jon Lord – with conductor Torodd Wigum visible in the background

Jon Lord pictured in profile in a break between numbers, with conductor Torodd Wigum visible – albeit blurred – in the background, looking towards Jon.
The conductor for the evening, Torodd Wigum, is the House Director for the Trondheim Symphony Orchestra (TSO). He gathered the “Lord Chamber Orchestra” for this concert, made up of members of the TSO, the Trondheim Soloists, and some very promising music students. Torodd himself played solo viola both in TSO and the Trondheim Soloists earlier – indeed he can be seen with the latter chamber orchestra playing the viola on “Beyond the Notes Live“, a DVD from Jon Lord’s 2004 tour. (This DVD only seems to be available from amazon.de now.)

All Material: © Copyright Trond J. Strøm. All Rights Reserved.

No usage without my written consent. Links to the blog and blogs posts on social media etc are of course OK, but stealing the photos without permission is not.

by trondjs

11. Axe

Martin Axenrot, drummer

Martin Axenrot, drummer from Opeth.

Martin “Axe” Axenrot from Opeth handled the drums used during the concert – and of course he did it excellently. His drum solo during the number “Gigue” received a standing ovation during the concert.
Having played with Swedish prog-metal band Opeth since 2005, joining full time the year after, Axe is one of those drummers which combines excellent technique, great skill and speed, with jazz leanings, providing that wonderful flair that no pure “speed drummer” or “power drummer” comes close to. Come to think of it, Jon Lord himself played with another drummer which fits this description nicely during the largest part of his career.

Last year (2014), Axe was named “best prog drummer in the World” by Rhythm Magazine after an extensive poll.

Martin Axenrot’s private life played an important role in his involvement in this concert. His significant other, Nathalie Lorichs, has a father, Christer, who befriended Jon Lord probably while Jon still was in Whitesnake, if I’ve understood things correctly (and since Christer will be reading this, we’ll quickly have it fixed if I’m mistaken).

So Nathalie probably has been raised with Jon’s music as a backdrop. She was asked to do background vocals for the concert in Trondheim in 2007. For the 2010 concert, she was invited to do the main vocals on several numbers. More about that – and photos of Nathalie singing – later. (So sorry, Christer, I’m afraid I didn’t take any photos of you!)

It was via Nathalie’s participation that Martin Axenrot and Martín Méndez from Opeth got involved with this concert – and from reports I’ve had, both of them were very keen and humbled to be given the chance to work with the legendary Jon Lord.

A cropped, colour version of this photo, which I posted to Flickr after the concert, can be seen here.

All Material: © Copyright Trond J. Strøm. All Rights Reserved.

No usage without my written consent. Links to the blog and blogs posts on social media etc are of course OK, but stealing the photos without permission is not.