Iver Kleive Kompani

Iver Kleive was born in the Norwegian town of Skien in 1949. He grew up in a musical family and followed in his father's footsteps to become an organist par excellence. Iver Kleive is active in all musical genres as a performer, composer, arranger, producer and conductor.

THE ORGANIST

In 1972 Iver graduated as cantor from the Oslo Conservatory of Music. From 1973-76 he studied at the Staatliche Hochschule für Musik in Munich, Germany, where he passed his Solistenprüfung as the best student. Since then he has held positions as church organist in and around Oslo. His first public organ recital was held in Oslo in 1978, after which he has given several solo organ performances, and performed at most of the major music festivals. On several occasions he has been a soloist with the Oslo Philharmonic Orchestra (not only with the organ, but also on synthesizer), the Norwegian Broadcasting Orchestra (where he was also engaged as a pianist for 10 years), Stavanger Philharmonic orchestra and Trondheim Philharmonic Orchestra.

THE OLYMPIC WINTER GAMES AT LILLEHAMMER

Iver collaborated with Knut Reiersrud to compose and perform "Nåde" ("Mercy"), a  visionary work the melody of  which is based on a tradi-tional hymn. It was performed as part of the opening ceremony of the Olympic Games in 1994.

ON TOUR

Iver has travelled widely as a performer. As a soloist with the Oslo Philharmonic Orchestra (conducted by Mariss Jansons) he has toured Great Britain. His tour with the internationally renowned trumpet player Ole Edv. Antonsen took him all over the USA. He has been to Moscow with pop singer Bjørn Eidsvåg, played in New Orleans with the "Ytre Suløen" jazz group and given several concerts with famous harmonica player Sigmund Groven in Scotland, USA and the Caribbean.

EVERY KIND OF MUSIC

Iver has been a major contributor to bringing indigenous traditional music into the limelight, both in Norway, and also with (among others) the Brazilian percussionist Nana Vasconcelos. Iver has also accompanied internationally famous performers such as violinist Arve Tellefsen, jazz s inger Karin Krog, jazz sax player Jan Garbarek and many others. Every Christmas, Iver is joined by other performers do to a church concert tour. He also has his own group, Iver Kleive Kompani, playing pop and rock music. Working with guitar player Knut Reiersrud results in magical sounds to be heard at concerts and on CDs. Iver is also frequently working with pop singer Sigvart Dagsland giving a new meaning to church concerts. The Oslo Bach Choir is yet another activity for Iver.

THE RECORDINGS

Since 1972, Iver has worked on more than 200 recordings as a studio musician, composer and arranger. He has released several records in collaboration with the folk singer Sondre Bratland. With Knut Reiersrud, Iver has produced 2 records: "Blå Koral" and "Himmelskip". The combi-nation of electric guitar and church organ is a truly magnificent musical experience. They have been awarded the prestigious Norwegian Music Award (Spelemannprisen). Iver has also released a solo album, "Kyrie", a visionary opus crossing the borders of both church music and pop music. In September 1998 was released a recording with the renowned Swedish singer Carola. In addition to accompanying her, Iver has also arranged and produced the album. November 1998 will see the release of "The Gospel of Christmas". This contains music especially composed by Iver (with lyrics from the Bible) for a production at the Norwegian Theatre in Oslo in 1997 and also some traditional Christmas carols. Arranged and produced by Iver, this work is an extraordinary combination of traditional reading of the text and vocal performances by a baritone opera singer, a traditional Norwegian folk singer and the Oslo Bach Choir.

THE CHOIR

Iver's choir background comes from singing with the legendary Münch-ener Bachchor conducted by Karl Richter. "Iver Kleive's Choir" was established in 1988, later changing it's name to "Oslo Bach Choir". Iver is the choir's artistic leader and conductor. Ever since its founding, the choir has collaborated with many professional singers and musicians in true Iver Kleive style, challenging the many musical forms. The main objective for the choir, though, is to perform the major oratorios. For each performance professional musicians and soloists are carefully selected. As in everything else that he does, Iver will not compromise in giving the audiences excellent musical quality and performances.

Musicians

Iver Kleive org
Ronnie LeTekrų gitar
Arve Henriksen trumpet
Audun Kleive drums
Sveinung Hovensjų bass
Iver Kleives KOR