Gjertruds sigøynerorkester (Gjertrud’s Gypsy Orchestra) has specialised in eastern European Gypsy music, namely from Russia, Romania and Hungary

Elements from art music, 19th century popular music and not least folk music has melded together to create a unique form of music, in which the tonal language of folk music takes on virtuoso performance technique and the timbral ideals of the classical/romantic tradition.

Learning the music through the aural tradition, arranging it in real time, and combining this with ‘classical’ virtuoso performance technique makes way for nuanced, playful and sincere musical expression.

The wealth of variation in the rhythms, tempi and phrasing of Gypsy music, in which it is expected that the ensemble will consistently take its lead from the primás’s whims and moods, requires extremely tight and flexible communication within an ensemble.

The group has acquired the music through the aural tradition from Gypsy musicians in Budapest, including permanent collaboration with Ernest Bangó, a celebrated cimbalist, mentor and co-musician. The ensemble has also worked on different folk music and cross-over projects, with several artists, like Yiddish music with Bente Kahan, Norwegian “Tater” (Traveller) music with Elias Akselsen, Norwegian folk music with Susanne Lundeng, Gypsy songs in Norwegian with Britt-Synnøve Johansen, and Christmas concerts with Solfrid Molland, Roma-choir and Roma street musicians.

Gjertrud’s Gypsy Orchestra has toured extensively in Norway and abroad, attended many festivals and released several CDs. The CD “Mazurka – Remaking Chopin” in collaboration with pianist and composer Nils-Henrik Asheim won a Norwegian Grammy Award in 2011. The ensemble receives financial support from Arts Council Norway.

THE MUSICIANS in Gjertrud’s Gypsy Orchestra have a widespread background. All are professional musicians and have extensive education and experience within various fields of music.

Gjertrud Økland (violin) is the driving force and primás (Hungarian for leader) of Gjertrud’s Gypsy Orchestra. In addition to being a violinist in Stavanger Symphony Orchestra, she has a florid freelance career. Recieved Mølsterprisen 2018.

Georg Reiss (clarinet, tárogáto) After studies at The Norwegian State Academy of Music and Guildhall School of Music in London, he has worked as a freelance musician. He is playing regulary with bands and orchestras with a broad specter of musical styles: Magnolia Jazzband, Ophelia Orchestra, Georg Reiss Kvartett, SyrinEnsemblet.

Tom Karlsrud (accordion) lives in Aurland and works as a freelance musician, arts school principal and manager of a music production company. He has collaborated with numerous folk musicians.

Pål Thorstensen (double bass) is a freelance musician based in Risør, with a solid grounding in jazz (including Moose Loose) and folk music (including Oslo Tango Society, the Balkan Ensemble), and is currently a member of the northern Norwegian group Boknakaran.

Trond Villa (viola) is probably best known as a violinist in folk rock and Balkan rock from his time as a freelance musician (including Folque, Folk og rackare, the Balkan Ensemble). He lives in Sauherad in Telemark, where he works in the community Arts School, alongside continuing with his freelance career.

Helene Waage (cello, vocals) is a freelance musician. She lives in Sauherad in Telemark, and has worked with musicians and artists within different fields. She has collaborated with many Norwegian folk musicians and is a member of the folk music trio Glima.

Ernest Bangó (cimbalom) lives in Budapest and has performed with the best Gypsy Orchestras in Hungary, with Roby Lakatos among others. He has toured worldwide and also been a soloist with several international symphony orchestras.

A concert with Eastern European Gypsy music which suddenly shifts from delicate melancholy to passionate dance rhythms. Elements from art music, 19th century popular music and not least folk music has melded together to create a unique form of music, in which the tonal language of folk music takes on virtuoso performance technique and the timbral ideals of the classical/romantic tradition. Learning the music through the aural tradition, arranging it in real time, and combining this with ‘classical’ virtuoso performance technique makes way for nuanced, playful and sincere musical expression. The wealth of variation in the rhythms, tempi and phrasing of Gypsy music, in which it is expected that the ensemble will consistently take its lead from the primás’s whims and moods, requires extremely tight and flexible communication within an ensemble.

Their musical traditions are multifaceted and bear the marks of a wide variety of impulses. They have their own folk music, much of it vocal, related to daily life and their own language and culture. In addition ‘Travellers’ have often been important bearers of local folk music traditions in the areas where they have settled. In a great deal of ‘music for a purpose’, such as dance music or restaurant music, there are traces of folk music, popular music and the European classical music tradition. Gjertrud’s Gypsy Orchestra is committed to communicating this musical diversity, with moods from dark restaurants in Budapest, village feasts, Jewish weddings and Norwegians “tater” bonfires.