Økland, Nils

Nils Økland is a remarkable fiddle player (Hardanger fiddle, violin, viola d’amore) who operates at the interface between Norwegian folk music, improvisation and contemporary music. He was the musical director of the Ole Bull Academy for six years. In addition to heading his own projects, he is the leader of the Harald Hårfagre Chamber Orchestra in Haugesund, which has received support from Arts Council Norway. He has been engaged as a soloist by various orchestras and ensembles in most European countries, and has toured several times with the Norwegian Concert Institute. Økland has held premiere performances of several solo works for Hardanger fiddle and orchestra, and has composed much of his concert repertoire himself. He composed music for the play Melancholia, which was based on Jon Fosse’s novels Melancholia I and II and was staged at Haugesund Theatre, Rogaland Theatre and Det norske Teatret, and for the performance Horisonter, which was based on the poetry of Kolbein Falkeid and presented at Haugesund Teater in 2006. He has also composed film scores, ballet music and commissioned works for the Osa Festival, the Norwegian Broadcasting Corporation, Sildajazz and the Norwegian Concert Institute. Økland has released three solo recordings: his debut record Blå Harding, Straum and Bris. He has been a member of the groups Løver og Tigre (1983) and Balkansamble (1984), and in 1986 he made a recording together with jazz bass player Bjørnar Andresen. He has also been a member of the ensemble Oslo tangoforening, and is currently a member of the Christian Wallumrød Ensemble (2001).

Diskografi

2005: Ein song frå dei utsungne stunder, BNB Trio (2L)
2005: A Year From Easter, Christian Wallumrød Ensemble (ECM) 2004: Bris (Rune Grammofon)
2003: Sofienberg variations, Christian Wallumrød Ensemble (ECM)
2000: Straum (Rune Grammofon)
1996: Blå harding (morild)
1989: Skinn og Bein-Knaus (Hot Club Records)
1986: Nils Økland/Bjørnar Andresen (Hot Club Records)

Appeared on
2007: Days of Rage, Salvatore (Racing junior)
2006: Rosa i Botn, Knut Hamre, Benedicte Maurseth and Sigbjørn Apeland (Grappa)
2003: Money will ruin everything, various artists
1989: Hjernen er alene, De Lillos (Universal)

Awards

2005: Nominated for a Norwegian Folk Music Award for album Bris Press/broadcasts
Artist of the week, Norwegian Broadcasting Corporation P2 radio
Various television and radio programmes in Norway and the rest of Europe Reviewed by music magazine Wire (GB)
 

This biography was produced by the Norwegian Traditional Music Agency.