Helge Iberg & Lars Saabye Christensen
"The Nowhere men"
Helge Iberg performs his interpretations of iconic Beatles songs, while author Lars Saabye Christensen reads poems and poetic texts tailored for the concert, along with personal comments from his own Beatles universe.
Lars Saabye Christensen is one of Norway's most popular authors of his generation. In the minds of many, his coming-of-age novel "Beatles" is one of the most important cultural depictions of the latter half of the 20th century. The book, which was adapted into a film in 2014, earned him the Cappelen Prize and fame beyond Norway's borders. The author has received the Nordic Council's Literature Prize and numerous other awards. In 2006, he was appointed Commander of the Order of St. Olav, and in 2008, he was named a Knight of the Order of Arts and Letters in France. His books have been translated into over 30 languages.
Helge Iberg navigates between the scores of contemporary music and the landscapes of modern jazz. He has composed chamber music, orchestral music, solo concertos, vocal works, operas, and musicals. He has also published two books and written numerous essays and articles on culture, society, and art. Iberg has won the Prix Italia, Spellemann Prize, Music Publisher's Prize, Work of the Year, and has been nominated for the Edvard Prize three times. As a jazz pianist, he has collaborated on projects with artists such as Bendik Hofseth, Sidsel Endresen, and Nils Petter Molvær.
The Guardian:
"His piano interpretations on the album "The Black on White Album," released in March 2022, have received rave reviews all over Europe and in the USA. "The Norwegian pianist puts his seductive mark on songs that he has deeply internalized. Following Iberg's musical journey can be fascinating, touching, and surprising," wrote the music critic in The Guardian.
Tor Hammerø, Nettavisen:
"Helge Iberg adds new dimensions to classic Beatles songs. Without exception, Iberg brings his project something very personal, with a depth, dynamism, passion, and richness of harmony that will bring peace to the minds of Beatles fans and true music lovers from all camps."
The JAZZthing, Germany:
Helge Iberg approaches his fascination with Beatles songs alone at the piano. This allows him to delve into the timeless melodies primarily through an extreme reduction in tempo. This is evident with ballads like "Blackbird" or "Michelle," but surprisingly, it also works with hits like "Ob-La-Di, Ob-La-Da" or "Yellow Submarine," whose melodies suddenly become extremely moving.