Written for James Clapperton. The commission was initiated by Geir Johnson and first performance was at Music Factory in Bergen.
The Hot-house theory explains why earth is such a good place for growth and life. But if human activity continue to send hugh amounts of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere, it will cause a negative effect: It gets too warm.
A Hothouse is also a place where conditions are perfect for growth. In this case a small motif becomes a piece of music.
(2000 - revised 2002) for Piano (www.mic.no) (dur: 13) Three movements inspired by the landscape above the Arctic Circle and Lofoten in particular (where I grew up). During the summer of 2000 I did two boat trips across Vestfjorden. I worked on the music on board at the same time as been able to see the beatufil scenery.
1. Midtnattsol i Raftsundet If you travel with Hurtigruten from Svolvær headong north, you will first pass through Raftsundet. In the northern end you will see the midnight sun, especialley when the weather is as fantastic as it was that summer!
2. Røstlandet Later the same summer I went to Moskenes with the ferry. It first head for Røst, then Værøy and finally Moskenes. To se the misterious islands of Røst for the first time was spectacular.
3. Lysdans The feeling of beeing in the middel of this sceneries is hard to explain. Most of the magic is made by the light. Even shadows are made by light. When the sun never sets it makes everybody "dance" instead of sleep. The sun light conquers everything during the summer in the northern part of the world.
(2008) for Violin, Cello, Piano and Percussion (manus) (dur: ca. 10) Commissioned by Håkon Kristiansen/Ensemble Blå with support from the Norwegian cultural fund.
(2006-2010) for solo piano (dur: 16) Recorded on LAWO Classic
"..Men min hovedinteresse i hans program er Blue Traces av Torstein Aagaard-Nilsen. Jeg ville hatt vanskelig for å gjette at dette var av en norsk komponist: Det første verket er i en skjør Debussy-lignende språk som omformes over den sentrale scherzoen til en mer messiansk stil.." Martin Anderson - Klassisk musikkmagasin
Triptych er skrevet på oppdrag fra Rune Alver som en del av et prosjekt han har kalt "brass møter klassisk". Musikken i pianopartiene er et bearbeidet utvalg fra de tre suitene Øyeblikksbilder som ble komponert for Rune Alver i tidsrommet 2021-2023. Støttet av Komponistenes vederlagsfond.
I Triptych settes disse musikalske utsagnene etter hverandre, og opp mot hverandre, i tre satser: Første sats har et folkloristisk preg. Andre sats er mer preget av alvor. Tredje sats er lys og optimistisk.
Formessig vil verket oppleves som en reise i ulike stemninger, musikalske landskap, farger og øyeblikk. Ikke ulikt slik en virkelig reise kan utarte seg. Sammenhengen skapes underveis, men kanskje mest når vi har vært igjennom det hele og skal bearbeide hva vi har vært vitne til.
