Fiddler and composer Nils Økland is a remarkable musician, performing on Hardanger fiddle, violin, and viola d’amore. He operates at the interface between Norwegian folk music, improvisation and contemporary music, and all his four albums ought to be looked upon as true milestones.   “Whatever Nils Økland touches turns to musical gold.” (Fiona Talkington, BBC Radio 3)

Organist Sigbjørn Apeland works in the crossroads of folk music, church music and improvisation. His first solo album Glossolalia was released this year and was described as a “bold and challenging album with improvisational music for harmonium”.

Both Sigbjørn Apeland and Nils Økland were previously musical directors of the Ole Bull Academy. In 2010 the two musicians joined forces to make the album Lysøen – hommage à Ole Bull (2011) where they commemorate the fabulous work of Norwegian composer and violinist Ole Bull. The album presents partly the performers’ own arrangements and improvisations based on tunes that Bull performed, and partly new compositions inspired by Ole Bull.

At Folkelarm, this eminent duo will do one joint concert, and in addition Økland will do a solo concert based on the material from his latest solo album Monograph.