Geir Botnen (born 27 February 1959 in Kvam) is a Norwegian

pianist A pianist ( , ) is an individual musician who plays the piano. Since most forms of Western music can make use of the piano, pianists have a wide repertoire and a wide variety of styles to choose from, among them traditional classical music, ja ...

. He focuses mainly on the works of

Geirr Tveitt Geirr Tveitt (born Nils Tveit; 19 October 1908 – 1 February 1981) was a Norwegian composer and pianist. Tveitt was a central figure of the national movement in Norwegian cultural life during the 1930s. Life Early years Tveitt was born in Be ...

, but his repertoire also includes works by other composers.

Biography

During his 5 years studies at the

Bergen Music Conservatory The Grieg Academy ( no, Griegakademiet) is a disputed historical term used to refer to the higher education music programs in Bergen, Norway (birthplace of composer Edvard Grieg), as well as various collaborations across music institutions in Bergen ...

with professor

Jiri Hlinka Jiri Hlinka ( cs, Jiří Hlinka; born 1944) is a Norway, Norwegian professor and piano teacher of Czech Republic, Czech origin. His most well-known student is Leif Ove Andsnes. Career Hlinka was born in Prague, Protectorate of Bohemia and Moravia, ...

, he demonstrated remarkable talent, and was invited to perform with the

Bergen Philharmonic Orchestra The Bergen Philharmonic Orchestra is a Norwegian orchestra based in Bergen. Its principal concert venue is the Grieg Hall. History Established in 1765 under the name ''Det Musicalske Selskab'' (The Musical Society), it later changed its name t ...

. In 1982 he was the first Norwegian pianist to take part in the Tchaikovsky Competition in

Moscow Moscow ( , US chiefly ; rus, links=no, Москва, r=Moskva, p=mɐskˈva, a=Москва.ogg) is the capital and largest city of Russia. The city stands on the Moskva River in Central Russia, with a population estimated at 13.0 million ...

. Botnen has been a soloist with a number of symphony orchestras both in Norway and in the US, playing under acclaimed maestros like Alan Gilbert,

Arvid Jansons Arvid, Arved, Arnvid or Arvydas is a male given name, most common in Scandinavia but also in Iran and Lithuania. In Scandinavia it is derived from Old Norse and means "forest of eagles" or 'eagle wood'. Arvid is a royal male name that is compose ...

, Dmitri Kitayenko and Edward Serov. As a solo recitalist and chamber musician he has concertized in the UK, US, Canada, China, Germany, Czech Republic, Sweden, Denmark and Norway. In 1993 Botnen was chosen to perform at the official opening of the Edvard Grieg Bicentennial Anniversary in Norway and on a tour of Asian capitals. Botnen is a regular guest at the Bergen International Festival and has performed at festivals in Norway and abroad, like Risør Chamber Music Fest, St. Magnus Festival Orkney Islands and others. Botnen has been pivotal in the founding of and as artistic director of the annual Norwegian Hardingtonar Festival, focusing on the music of composer

. Botnen, a direct descendant of famous fiddle makers Isak and Trond Botnen, early acquired an interest in Geirr Tveitt's music. His recordings of Tveitt's "Fifty Folk Tunes from Hardanger" as well as other piano-works, has been exceptionally well received by critics. His CD recordings include works by Tveitt, Grieg and chamber music.

External links

{{DEFAULTSORT:Botnen, Geir Norwegian classical pianists 1959 births Living people Musicians from Kvam 21st-century classical pianists