Marius Noss Gundersen

Norwegian Classical GUitarist

Marius Noss Gundersen, born 1973, acquired his education at the Agder Conservatory of Music and the Norwegian State Academy of Music. He studied Advanced Instrumental Studies at Guildhall School of Music and Drama in London, being the only guitarist to receive a full scholarship for the academic year 2000/2001. He is also holding a Master's degree in Performing Arts from the University of Agder.

The distance between Norway and South America is huge geographically, culturally as well as musically. Despite these differences, Marius manages to balance delicately between European classical music and Brazilian samba and Bossa Nova.

chamber music by marco pereira

New album by Marius Noss Gundersen featuring chamber music by the Brazilian composer Marco Pereira – a fusion of Norwegian and Brazilian culture. 

Marius is a Norwegian guitarist with a profound passion for Brazilian music. He has dedicated many years of his life to exploring the music from South America. His musical journey has taken him through various forms of ensemble playing, ranging from duets, trios, quartets to larger ensembles, and it has been a fascinating exploration of the intersection between Norwegian and Brazilian culture.

During a concert with Marco Pereira at the legendary Rio Scenarium in 2007, Marius experienced the irresistible power of music, realizing how it could forge a connection between the performer and the audience. This moment marked the beginning of a long-lasting fascination with Pereira, a prominent Brazilian musician and composer with a unique gift for making people feel that the music was created especially for them. Later, Marius had the opportunity to meet Pereira in person, and this meeting marked the start of a significant musical journey.

Marco Pereira has served as a mentor and guide for Marius over the years since their first encounter. Pereira generously shared his extensive knowledge and valuable experiences, providing guidance and dedicating much of his time to assist Marius in deepening his understanding of Brazilian music.

In 2019, Marius was awarded a three-year work grant from Statens Kunstnerstipend (Norwegian Government Grants for Artists) to immerse himself in Pereira's music. The project consists of three album recordings, with each album rooted in the music of Marco Pereira:

  • Album 1 - Original compositions for solo guitar (2019)
  • Album 2 - Arrangements for the guitar primarily featuring Brazilian music (2021)
  • Album 3 - The album now being released, containing ten compositions by Pereira performed by various chamber music ensembles.

For this, the third and final album, Gundersen has assembled an impressive team of musicians: 

  • Tora Augestad - vocals
  • Mia Virik Kristensen (MIIA) - vocals
  • Trond Magne Brekka - flute
  • Maiken Mathisen Schau - flute
  • Margrete Christensen Klavenæs - bassoon
  • Frida Fredrikke Waaler Wærvågen - cello
  • Oslo Strings - string ensemble
  • Karl Erik Horndalsveen - bass
  • Dag Einar Eilertsen - alto trombone
  • Randall Avers - guitar
  • Runar Kjeldsberg - guitar
  • Gjermund Titlestad - guitar

These talented musicians, with their musical passion, have contributed to making this album one of the most significant projects in Marius' career.

Marius aims to share this music with the world and spread Pereira's musical legacy across borders. This album represents more than just a musical achievement; it is a heartfelt expression of gratitude and a deep love for Brazilian music. It the symbolizes a strong friendship between Marius Noss Gundersen and Marco Pereira, and their musical bond that will last a lifetime.

Working with Marco Pereira          Rio 2022

Musicians featured on the album: 

Tora Augestad is a Norwegian singer, conductor, and actress, with a focus on jazz, musical theater, modern music, and cabaret. She made her stage debut in 1994 with the lead role in the musical "Annie," following her appearance in the finals of TV 2's talent competition in 1993. In 2018, she won the Spellemann Award for the album "Portraying Passion," a collaboration with the Oslo Philharmonic Orchestra.

Frida Fredrikke Waaler Wærvågen served as a solo cellist in the Royal Swedish Opera Orchestra  in Stockholm and currently holds the position of solo cellist in the Bergen Philharmonic Orchestra. She also serves as the section leader in Ensemble Allegria. In 2018, she received a Spellemann Award nomination with Ingrid Andsnes. Waaler Wærvågen plays a cello crafted by Nicolas Lupot (1823). 

Trond Magne Brekka, the solo piccolo flutist in the Oslo Philharmonic Orchestra, has performed as a soloist with the Bergen Philharmonic Orchestra, the Norwegian Broadcasting Orchestra, and the Trondheim Soloists. His teaching engagements include the Barratt Due Music Institute and the Norwegian Academy of Music. Previously, he held positions in the Bergen Philharmonic Orchestra (2001) and the Norwegian Broadcasting Orchestra (2008).

Oslo Strings, a string ensemble comprising classically trained musicians with extensive experience in rhythmic music, incorporates improvisation and arrangement into their work. They have recorded albums and toured with various artists, including Madrugada, Maria Mena, Karpe, Gabrielle, Erlend Ropstad, Cezinando, Minor Majority, Jan Eggum, and Daniel Kvammen. Additionally, they have contributed to the soundtracks of films and TV series such as "Lykkeland," "Gilbert's Cruel Revenge," "Thelma," "Louder Than Bombs," "Sons of Norway," and "De nærmeste." The ensemble  members include Lise Sørensen Voldsdal, Ragnhild Lien (1st violin), Isa Caroline Holmesland, Tora Terese Wærvågen (2nd violin), Elin Marie Christensen, Heidi Johnstad Arnesen (viola), Kaja Fjellberg Pettersen, Ellen-Martine Gismervik (cello), and Karl Erik Horndalsveen (bass).

Karl Erik Horndalsveen, a young Norwegian bassist and composer, holds a degree from the Norwegian Academy of Music. He is a member of acclaimed bands such as Damata and Master Oogway. In 2022, he received a Spellemann Award nomination in the jazz category for the album "Happy Village" with Master Oogway and Henriette Eilertsen. 

Maiken Mathisen Schau (flute) and Margrete Christensen Klavenæs (bassoon) are both members of one of Europe's premier ensembles, the Royal Norwegian Navy Band. Alongside the Armed Forces Staff Music Corps, the Navy Band boasts the highest number of assignments on behalf of the Norwegian Royal House, the government, and the Parliament. The ensemble, known for its uniqueness, won the Spellemann Award with Erik Bye in 2003.

Dag Einar Eilertsen, with a music education (master's degree) from the  University of Oslo, is renowned for his involvement in bands such as "Ung Pike Forsvunnet" and "Oslo 13," as well as collaborations with Palle Mikkelborg and Jacek Kochan. He is a regular performer with Marius in the critically acclaimed duo Morild.  

Mia Virik Brubakken, known by the artist name MIIA, gained fame with the 2017 hit "Dynasty," boasting over 200 million registered streams on the internet. She has also been featured on the NRK program “Miutte mu.”

Randall Avers, acclaimed as "the magician on the guitar," has secured two prizes in the prestigious classical guitar competition, The Guitar Foundation of America, and  received several awards from other international competitions. Avers, who received a work grant from the Norwegian government's artist grant from 2010 to 2012, forms half of the American/French guitar duo "Les Freres Meduses," described as "one of the most imaginative and exciting classical guitar duos performing today" by Guitars International.

Runar Kjeldsberg holds the distinction of being the first guitarist globally to record all known solo works by the composer François de Fossa (1775-1849). Supported by the Norwegian government's artist grant, this 5-year project resulted in five CD albums, featuring almost four hours of recorded and released music. Kjeldsberg serves as the artistic director of Nova Vita, an ensemble exploring the role of the guitar in chamber music from the early 1800s. He has toured globally, earning the moniker "the Norwegian sensation" during his tour in Australia. 

Gjermund Titlestad has regularly performed concerts and participated in festivals since his student days, primarily with the guitar duo Duo Gvito. He has also collaborated with other musicians and pursued a solo career. Performances include notable events such as the Festival Internacional de Guitarre de Morelia in Mexico, the Norwegian Guitar Festival, Vestfold Festival, Bolivar Hall Guitar Festival in London, Bergen International Guitar Festival, The Versatile Guitar Series in Cardiff, the 3rd Festival Internacional de Violão in Belo Horizonte, Brazil, and school concert tours across Norway organized by Rikskonsertene.

Musicians featured on the album:

Album

Chamber Music by Marco Pereira

Marius Noss Gundersen

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Marius is a Norwegian guitarist with a profound passion for Brazilian music. He has dedicated many years of his life to exploring the music from South America. His musical journey has taken him through various forms of ensemble playing, ranging from duets, trios, quartets to larger ensembles, and it has been a fascinating exploration of the

Marius is a Norwegian guitarist with a profound passion for Brazilian music. He has dedicated many years of his life to exploring the music from South America. His musical journey has taken him through various forms of ensemble playing, ranging from duets, trios, quartets to larger ensembles, and it has been a fascinating exploration of the intersection between Norwegian and Brazilian culture.

During a concert with Marco Pereira at the legendary Rio Scenarium in 2007, Marius experienced the irresistible power of music, realizing how it could forge a connection between the performer and the audience. This moment marked the beginning of a long-lasting fascination with Pereira, a prominent Brazilian musician and composer with a unique gift for making people feel that the music was created especially for them. Later, Marius had the opportunity to meet Pereira in person, and this meeting marked the start of a significant musical journey.

Marco Pereira has served as a mentor and guide for Marius over the years since their first encounter. Pereira generously shared his extensive knowledge and valuable experiences, providing guidance and dedicating much of his time to assist Marius in deepening his understanding of Brazilian music.

In 2019, Marius was awarded a three-year work grant from Statens Kunstnerstipend (Norwegian Government Grants for Artists) to immerse himself in Pereira's music. The project consists of three album recordings, with each album rooted in the music of Marco Pereira: Album 1 - Original compositions for solo guitar (2019) Album 2 - Arrangements for the guitar primarily featuring Brazilian music (2021) Album 3 - The album now being released, containing ten compositions by Pereira performed by various chamber music ensembles.

For this, the third and final album, Gundersen has assembled an impressive team of musicians: Tora Augestad - vocals Mia Virik Brubakken (MIIA) - vocals Trond Magne Brekka - flute Maiken Mathisen Schau - flute Margrete Christensen Klavenæs - bassoon Frida Fredrikke Waaler Wærvågen - cello Oslo Strings - string ensemble Karl Erik Horndalsveen - bass Dag Einar Eilertsen - alto trombone Randall Avers - guitar Runar Kjeldsberg - guitar Gjermund Titlestad - guitar

These talented musicians, with their musical passion, have contributed to making this album one of the most significant projects in Marius' career.

Marius aims to share this music with the world and spread Pereira's musical legacy across borders. This album represents more than just a musical achievement; it is a heartfelt expression of gratitude and a deep love for Brazilian music. It the symbolizes a strong friendship between Marius Noss Gundersen and Marco Pereira, and their musical bond that will last a lifetime.

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  1. 1
    Iara - feat MIIA 2:29
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  2. 2
    Irene - feat Oslo Strings 4:13
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  3. 3
    Lis - feat Frida Fredrikke Waaler Værvågen & Trond Magne Brekka 5:13
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  4. 4
    Balada 4:31
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  5. 5
    Song for Marius - feat Dag Einar Eilertsen 4:06
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  6. 6
    Dona Lu - feat Tora Augestad 3:53
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  7. 7
    PAZ - feat Randall Avers & Runar Kjeldsberg 2:54
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  8. 8
    Amigo Leo - feat Dag Einar Eilertsen & Karl Erik Horndalsveen 5:18
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  9. 9
    Cafe Compadre - feat Maiken Mathisen Schau & Margrete Christensen Klavenæs 4:52
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  10. 10
    Seu Tonico na Ladeira - feat Gjermund Titlestad (Duo Gvito) 3:39
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“Best Latin Music”

— LIT MUSIC AWARDS November 2023

“Best Classical Music”

— LIT MUSIC AWARDS November 2023

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