Tag / The Lord Chamber Orchestra

by trondjs

24. Child in Time

Jon Lord playing the intro to “Child in Time”. Conductor Torodd Wigum leading the orchestra in the background.

Jon Lord playing intro to "Child in Time"

Jon Lord playing the intro to “Child in Time”. Conductor Torodd Wigum leading the orchestra in the background.

Such a mighty moment. Jon Lord has moved from the grand piano to his “weapon of choice” in his days as a member of what was one of the biggest rock bands in the world during the 1970’s.

Starting to play on the Hammond organ, the opening chords – G – G – Am – from Deep Purple’s epic song “Child in Time“ from equally legendary 1970 album “Deep Purple in Rock“ from 1970.

What can I say? Being able to stand a couple of meters away as Jon played THAT intro, surely was an emotional moment for an old fan.

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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

15. Should it Stay or Should it Go?

Jon Lord with Magnus Johansen in the background

Jon Lord with Magnus Johansen in the background

Jon Lord with Magnus Johansen in the background

I’m in two minds about this photo, showing Jon Lord at the front, his right hand on the keyboard of the Hammond organ, with keyboard player Magnus Johansen at the back, his gaze focused on Jon.

The composition of the photo is just great. But there’s one problem – the focus isn’t quite right. The keyboard on the Hammond organ and Jon’s hand is pin sharp, but sadly both Jon and Magnus are slightly out of focus.

Dilemma.

I like the composition of the photo very much, with Jon playing the Hammond organ, and Magnus keeping a close eye on him. But neither of them are in focus. One of them should have been.

So – what do you think? Should I use this photo in the photo book, despite it not being perfect when it comes to focus point – or should I leave it out?

The fact that Jon is playing the Hammond, indicates that this is during rehearsals for “Gigue“, another wonderful track from Jon’s 1976 “Sarabande” album.

As far as I can remember, they rehearsed “Bourée” and “Gigue” back to back, although being separted in the actual consert.

Anyway: Feedback is appreciated!
Should I keep this photo in the book, despite it not being techinically perfect (both musicians seen properly are slightly out of focus). Still I feel the scene is portraied beautifully.

Comments are more than welcome on this one!

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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!)

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

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.