Gjermund Larsen
Biography Gjermund Larsen
Gjermund Larsen
(b.1981) is without a doubt one of Norway's most famous and beloved folk musicians, who with his playful and emotional fiddle playing has captured a wide audience that extends far beyond the traditional folk music audience. Gjermund's musical background is the traditional music from his hometown Verdal, primarily learned from his father Geir Egil Larsen, and the tradition of the fiddler Hilmar Alexandersen (1902-1993) from Steinkjer. In 2002, Gjermund became the youngest ever winner of the Landskappleiken on ordinary fiddle, and also received the king's trophy during the Landskappleiken in 2005.
After completing his diploma in folk music at NMH in 2008, Gjermund has had extensive concert and composing activities. Among other things, he has composed a number of commissioned works for Norwegian festivals and ensembles, written music for several theater and dance performances, as well as music for the film documentary Fremmed blod (2020), and together with Tyra Tønessen the musical Havfruen (2022) at Trøndelag Teater.
The year-long collaboration with the Trondheim Soloists has resulted in four commissioned works, three albums, two Norwegian Grammys (2008/2014), and a nomination for the Grammy Awards in 2010. Gjermund has also for a number of years collaborated with The Norwegian Soloists Choir on several albums and concerts at home and abroad.
In addition, he has been a soloist with orchestras such as the Oslo Philharmonic, KORK, Stavanger Symphony Orchestra, Trondheim Symphony Orchestra, SWR Sinfonieorchester, Ensemble Modern and London Philarmonian. Gjermund also collaborates with his brother Einar Olav Larsen, Eldbjørg and Ragnhild Hemsing, Frode Haltli and Eirik Hegdahl, among others. He has also received the Norwegian Grammy together with Majorstuen (2003) and the Christian Wallumrød Ensemble (2013), and in 2018 he was the first to receive the Trøndelag County Culture Award.
Gjermund's main venture in recent years has nevertheless been the Gjermund Larsen Trio. The trio made their debut with the album «Ankomst» in 2008, and for that they received the Norwegian Grammy. During the Norwegian Grammy 2017, Gjermund received TONO's composer prize for the trio's fourth album «Salmeklang». In the autumn of 2023, the Trio released their fifth album «Tøyen Sessions», where all music is, as usual, signed by Gjermund himself.
