Tag / Orchestra

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

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

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.

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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

9. First Violinists

The Lord Chamber Orchestra was gathered for the concert. This photo features three of the first violinists for the evening.

The Lord Chamber Orchestra - 1. Violinists

1. Violinists (from left) Sveinung Lillebjerka, Åse Våg Aaksnes and Kristin Reigstad.

The Lord Chamber Orchestra was gathered for the concert by conductor Torodd Wigum. This photo features three of the violinists for the evening. (Quoting the “Credits” section of the website dedicated to the concert here.)

From the left:
Sveinung Lillebjerka – First Violinist – whom I believe was the concertmaster – known for fans of Jon Lord from the “Beyond the Notes Live” DVD, where he played as one of the Trondheim Soloists. He’s also been leader of the Trondheim Symphonic Orchestra (TSO), and is currently the leader of Bodø Sinfonietta.
Åse Våg Aaknes – First Violinist – from the Trondheim Soloists, and Marit Laugen – Second Violinist – who also is in the Trondheim Soloists.

To the left on the second row, 1. violinist Ellen Fjærvoll Samdal, a music student at the time. She has played both with the Trondheim Soloists and the TSO, and have recorded albums with both orchestras, and have toured both nationally and internationally. She’s also received several prizes.
In the middle of the second row we see flutist Trine Knutsen, who later will reappear in a more prominent position. She’s been the leader for the Trondheim Soloists, she’s an associate professor at the Department of Music at NTNU in Trondheim, and has had several roles and parts as flute soloist in a large number of Norwegian orchestras.

Of course the orchestra are the “unsung heroes” of an orchestral production like this. And I’m afraid I don’t have close up photos of each and every one of them. In hindsight I should have made an effort to get those. Of course.

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

7. No Sound on the Keyboard!

Jon Lord gestures, conductor Torodd Wigum stands at the front, as the keyboard lacks sound during the rehearsal.

Jon Lord and the Lord Chamber Orchestra

Jon Lord by the grand piano, conductor Torodd Wigum to the right.

Jon Lord gestures from behind the grand piano. Conductor Torodd Wigum standing at the front of the stage, also looking to his right – at the sound mixer. They were playing “Bourée“, and Magnus Johansen’s keyboards (he’s hidden behind the grand piano in this photo), which was supposed to carry the main theme, had no sound. Jon is telling the sound mixer in no uncertain terms.

Martin Axenrot at the drums at the back, we also see 1. violinists Sveinung Lillebjerka and Åse Våg Aaknes.

(Thanks to Christer Lorichs for a reminder of what was going on here!)

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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

3. The Musicians (Outtake)

The musicians who formed the Lord Chamber Orchestra for the occcassion listed by name.

Jon Lord and the Lord Chamber Orchestra

Jon Lord by the grand piano on the left. Musicians from the Lord Chamber Orchestra on the stage.

The musicians in the orchestra deserve to be mentioned by name.

The great musicians who formed The Lord Chamber Orchestra for this concert, assembled by conductor Torodd Wigum, were:

1. Violin:

  • Sveinung Lillebjerka
  • Åse Våg Aaknes
  • Kristin Reigstad
  • Cathrine Egeriis Søndberg
  • Ellen Fjærvoll Samdal

2. Violin:

  • Marit Laugen
  • Ingvild Ranum
  • Ingrid Wisur
  • Alva Press

Viola:

  • Bergmund Skaslien
  • Eigil Nordstrøm
  • Ragnar Heier Hovd

Cello:

  • Cecilie Koch
  • Marit Aspås
  • Siri Snortheim

Double Bass:

  • Rolf Hoff Baltzersen

Flute:

  • Trine Knutsen

Horn:

  • Inger Jacobsen

(Quoting the “Credits” section of the website dedicated to the concert here.)

As this photo is quite similar to the previous one, it didn’t make the final cut in the printed book. I’m still glad to share it here on the blog.

 

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

2. The Lord Chamber Orchestra

Who were the musicians behind the fabulous Lord Chamber Orchestra – not heard of before or since?

Jon Lord and the Lord Chamber Orchestra

Jon Lord and the Lord Chamber Orchestra

The orchestra was put together for the concert, and consisted of highly qualified musicians. Most of them from the Trondheim Soloists (Trondheimsolistene) and the Trondheim Symphonic Orchestra (Trondheim Symfoniorkester, TSO), as well as some very promising music students.

The Trondheim Soloists should be well known to fans of Jon Lord. In 2003, they played on the same stage with Jon Lord on the concert which Jon later referred to as a “life changing experience”.  This concert was Jon Lord’s first big concert after he left Deep Purple to concentrate on his orchestral music in 2002. And it was the concert which gave him the confidence to really pursue this path further.

Hot on the heels of this concert, the Trondheim Soloists played on Jon Lord’s first solo album after leaving Deep Purple, “Beyond the Notes” from 2004. They also toured Europe with Jon in 2004/2005. One of the shows can be seen on the excellent “Beyond the Notes, Live” DVD.

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.

The book is out – head to the bookstore to order your copy. There is two sizes and two bindings for each size available, from the standard sized book with soft cover, to the lavish coffee table book on high-end photo paper.