Bjørn Ole Rasch (born 28 July 1959) is a Norwegian artist (keyboards performer), composer, arranger and producer. He is a professor of popular music at the Agder University College. With his wife,

Annbjørg Lien Annbjørg Lien (born 15 October 1971) is a Norway, Norwegian musician, playing the hardingfele (Hardanger fiddle), violin, and nyckelharpa. Career She first came to national prominence in 1986. Shortly afterwards got a recording deal with the H ...

, he runs the Kongshavn Studios in

Kristiansand Kristiansand is a city and Municipalities of Norway, municipality in Agder county, Norway. The city is the fifth-largest and the municipality is the sixth-largest in Norway, with a population of around 116,000 as of January 2020, following th ...

Career

Rasch was born in

Elverum Elverum () is a List of municipalities of Norway, municipality in Innlandet county, Norway. It is located in the Traditional districts of Norway, traditional district of Østerdalen. The administrative centre of the municipality is the Elverum ( ...

and raised in

. He began playing the piano at seven and learned much piano technique from his mother. He was taught classical music for eight years before he bought his first synthesizer and became more interested in composing and arranging. 19 years old, he composed music for a theater performance of the folktale "Manndottera og kjerringdottera", and he continued to compose music for the theater some years after this, among others 3 ballets and two more theater plays among them the first performance of J.R.R. Tolkien's

The Hobbit ''The Hobbit, or There and Back Again'' is a children's fantasy novel by the English author J. R. R. Tolkien. It was published in 1937 to wide critical acclaim, being nominated for the Carnegie Medal and awarded a prize from the ...

in Norway. In 1981 he joined the prog rock band "Boys Voice", which comprised fellow students from Agder Musikkonservatorium in

. The band released the single ''20 Golden Lies'' in 1984, before they released their album ''Talking to the Moon'' the year after. At the same time, he was a member of the jazz group ''EtCetera'' from Molde that also released an album in 1985. Most of his musical productions are at the intersection of Norwegian

traditional folk music Folk music is a music genre that includes #Traditional folk music, traditional folk music and the Contemporary folk music, contemporary genre that evolved from the former during the 20th-century folk revival. Some types of folk music may be ca ...

and

world music "World music" is an English phrase for styles of music from non-English speaking countries, including quasi-traditional, Cross-cultural communication, intercultural, and traditional music. World music's broad nature and elasticity as a musical ...

. His work includes major productions and compositions for theater, ballet, movies cd productions and TV, and most of these have been released worldwide. In 2002, Rasch was appointed the first professor of Rhythmic music in Norway, and in 2003 he became a member of Agder Academy of Sciences. Rasch has worked with Annbjørg Lien as producer, arranger and composer since 1994, and since 1997 he has been a member of the traditional folk ensemble Bukkene Bruse. In 2009 Rasch and Lien released their first duo-album under the name ''Come Home'' frå 2009. Most of their releases together is a blend of Norwegian folk music and elements from world-music. Rasch was appointed Official Olympic Musician in 1993 for the Lillehammer Olympics, which resulted in a long collaboration with the artist

Sissel Kyrkjebø Sissel Kyrkjebø (; born 24 June 1969), also known abroad as Sissel, is a Norwegian soprano. She is considered one of the world's top crossover sopranos. Her musical style ranges from pop recordings and folk songs to classical vocals and operati ...

. I 1999, Rasch as member of the Bukkene Bruse group was awarded the Prøysen Prize. In 1994 he was a member of the group Secret Garden as arranger and musician, a collaboration that in 2011 had resulted in record sales of nearly 4.5 million. In 1995 he received triple platinum for his work as arranger and musician on "Innerst i sjelen" with Sissel Kyrkjebø at

Universal Records Universal Music Group N.V. (often abbreviated as UMG and referred to as Universal Music Group or Universal Music) is a Netherlands, Dutch–United States, American multinational Music industry, music corporation under Law of the Netherlands, ...

, and in 2009 he received Golden record both in Norway and Sweden for his production "Spellemann" at Grappa Records and in 2010 for the production "Julenatt" at

EMI Records EMI Records (formerly EMI Records Ltd.) is a British multinational record label owned by Universal Music Group. It was originally founded as a British flagship label by the music company EMI in 1972, and launched in January 1973 as the succes ...

. In 1999, Rasch was ambassador for the charity

Save the Children The Save the Children Fund, commonly known as Save the Children, is an international non-governmental organization. It was founded in the UK in 1919; its goal is to improve the lives of children worldwide. The organization raises money to imp ...

together with Bukkene Bruse, and in 2005 he composed the music for the international film ''Valo'' and the musical ''Emma'' together with his wife

. In 2010 he authored the music book ''Analog Syntese'' (Analog Synthesis) on his own imprint. He has worked as an arranger and musician for artists like

Randy Crawford Veronica "Randy" Crawford (born February 18, 1952) is an American retired jazz and R&B singer. She has been more successful in Europe than in the United States, where she has not entered the ''Billboard'' Hot 100 as a solo artist. However, sh ...

The Chieftains The Chieftains were a traditional Irish folk band formed in Dublin in 1962, by Paddy Moloney, Seán Potts and Michael Tubridy. Their sound, which is almost entirely instrumental and largely built around uilleann pipes, has become synonymous w ...

Keith Emerson Keith Noel Emerson (2 November 194411 March 2016) was an English keyboardist, songwriter, composer and record producer. He played keyboards in a number of bands before finding his first commercial success with the Nice in the late 1960s. He be ...

Trilok Gurtu Trilok Gurtu (born 30 October 1951) is an Indian percussionist and composer whose work has blended the music of India with jazz fusion and world music. He has worked with Terje Rypdal, Gary Moore, John McLaughlin, Jan Garbarek, Joe Zawinu ...

, Mahsa Vahdat,

Hanne Boel Hanne Boel (born 31 August 1957 in Bagsværd, Copenhagen) is a Danish singer. Hanne Boel covers in her songs a range of styles including pop, soul, gospel, rock, and jazz. Over the course of her career, she has sold over 2.5 million records, an ...

José Carreras Josep Maria Carreras Coll (; born 5 December 1946), better known as José Carreras (, ), is a Catalan operatic tenor from Spain who is particularly known for his performances in the operas of Donizetti, Verdi and Puccini. Born in Barcelona, ...

Sinéad O'Connor Shuhada' Sadaqat (born Sinéad Marie Bernadette O'Connor; , ; 8 December 1966 – 26 July 2023) was an Irish singer, songwriter, record producer and activist. Her debut studio album, ''The Lion and the Cobra'', was released in 1987 and achieve ...

, Sissel Kyrkjebø,

Lisa Nilsson My Lisa Karolina Nilsson (born 13 August 1970) is a Swedish singer. She was discovered by the producer William (Billy) Butt and she is perhaps best known in Sweden for her 1992 hit, '' Himlen runt hörnet'', written by Mauro Scocco and Johan ...

, Kirsten Bråten Berg, Hallvard T. Bjørgum, Sondre Bratland,

Jahn Teigen Jahn Teigen (born Jan Teigen; 27 September 1949 – 24 February 2020) was a Norwegian singer, musician and comedian. He represented Norway in the Eurovision Song Contest three times, in 1978, 1982 and 1983, From October 2006 until his death in F ...

Elisabeth Andreassen Elisabeth Gunilla Andreassen (; born 28 March 1958), also known simply as Bettan, is a Norwegian-Swedish singer who has finished both first and second in the Eurovision Song Contest. Career Her talent was discovered in 1979 by Swedish musician an ...

, Sigvart Dagsland, to mention some. Present (2013) he focuses his work around the concepts Bukkene Bruse, Secret Garden and Annbjørg Lien, besides working as a composer, producer, arranger, writer and lecturer on the rhythmic music and history.

Honors and Nominations

*Appointed as Olympic Musician by the International Olympic Committee in 1993 *Nominated for Norwegian Grammy Spellemann 1995 for Sissel Kyrkjebøe "Deepest in my Soul" (Arranger and musician) *Triple Platinum for the production "Innerst i Sjelen" (Arranger and musician) *Nominated for Norwegian Grammy Spellemann 1996 forBukkene Bruse "Åre" (Artist, arranger and musician) *Nominated for Norwegian Grammy Spellemann 1997 for Annbjørg Lien "Prisme" (Producer, composer, arranger and musician) *Nominated for Norwegian Grammy Spellemann 1998 for Bukkene Bruse "Steinstolen" (Producer, artist, composer, arranger and musician) *Prøysenprisen 1998 within the band Bukkene Bruse *Appointed to ambassador for the charity organisation Save the Children in 1999 together with Bukkene Bruse *Nominated for Norwegian Grammy NOPA awards 1999 for best song and arrangement for the composition "W". *Nominated for Norwegian Grammy Spellemann 2001 for Bukkene Bruse "Den Fagrasta Rosa" (Producer, artist, composer, arranger and musician) *Nominated for Norwegian Grammy Spellemann 2002 for Annbjørg Lien "Aliens Alive" (Producer, composer, arranger and musician) *Appointed to the first professor in Rhythmic music in Norway 2002 by international recognition *Member of Agder Academy of Sciences 2003 *Nominated for Norwegian Grammy Spellemann 2010 for Sondre Bratland/Annbjørg Lien "Alle Vegne" (Producer) *Nominated for Norwegian Grammy Spellemann 2012 for Annbjørg Lien "Khoom Loy" (Producer, composer, arranger and musician) *Gold Record for the production "Spellemann" for Elisabeth Andreassen 2009 (Producer, composer, arranger and musician) *Gold Record for the production "Julenatt" for Rein Alexander and Elisabeth Andreassen (Producer, composer, arranger and musician)

Discography (in selection)

;Within Bukkene Bruse *1993: '' Bukkene Bruse'' *1995: ''

Åre Åre () is a Urban areas in Sweden, locality and one of the leading Scandinavian ski resorts situated in Åre Municipality, Jämtland County, Sweden with 3,200 inhabitants in 2018. It is, however, not the seat of the municipality, which is Järpe ...

'' (Grappa Music) *1998: '' Steinstolen'' (Grappa Music) *2001: '' Den Fagraste Rosa'' *2004: ''

Spel ''Spel'' (released February 9, 2004, on the Heilo catalog at the Grappa label – HCD 7188) is a live recording and the fifth album from the Norwegian folk band Bukkene Bruse. Review Bukkene Bruse, alone and in creative interaction, create ...

'' ;With Secret Garden *1996: '' Songs from a Secret Garden'' ( Mercury) *1997: '' White Stones'' (Mercury) *1998: ''Fairytales – Highlights from Secret Garden'' (Mercury), compilation *1999: '' Dawn of a New Century'' (

Universal Music Universal Music Group N.V. (often abbreviated as UMG and referred to as Universal Music Group or Universal Music) is a Dutch– American multinational music corporation under Dutch law. UMG's corporate headquarters are located in Hilversum ...

, Norway) *2000: '' Dreamcatcher: Best of Secret Garden'' (

Philips Koninklijke Philips N.V. (), simply branded Philips, is a Dutch multinational health technology company that was founded in Eindhoven in 1891. Since 1997, its world headquarters have been situated in Amsterdam, though the Benelux headquarter ...

), compilation *2001: ''

Once in a Red Moon ''Once in a Red Moon'' (released 2001 by Universal Music – 548 678-2) is the fourth studio album by Secret Garden, excluding the compilation album ''Dreamcatcher'', a Best Of. The second track, " You Raise Me Up", has since been recorded by m ...

'' (Universal Music) *2004: ''The Ultimate Secret Garden'' (Universal Music), Asia compilation *2005: '' Earthsongs'' (Universal Music) *2007: ''

Inside I'm Singing ''Inside I'm Singing'', released in 2007, is the ninth album by Secret Garden. Unlike previous albums, ''Inside I'm Singing'' is mostly composed of vocal music. Instrumental tracks given new lyrics. The first track, " Nocturne", won the Euro ...

'' (Mercury) *2011: '' Winter Poem'' (Hearts of Space Records) ;With

*2003: ''40'' with artists Nico Widerberg, Ørnulf Opdahl, Kjell Nupen, Magne Furholmen and Per Fronth (Grappa/BIZ Music) *2005: '' Musikalen Emma'' (Agder Theatre Music) *2008: '' Roquebrune'' with artists Kjell Nupen, Magne Furholmen, Elisabeth Werp, Bjørg Thorilldotter and Per Fronth (Grappa/BIZ Music) *2008: '' Den Prektigkledde Sommerfugl'' (KK Music) *2009: '' Come Home'' (Grappa Music) *2002: '' Music & Art in a Box'' Annbjørg Lien/Bjørn Ole Rasch with artists Nico Widerberg, Ørnulf Opdahl, Tone Svaland Holberg og Per Fronth (Grappa/BIZ Records)

Other Productions

*1998: '' Hele Historien'' Jahn Teigen (EMI Records) *1999: ''

Baba Yaga Baba Yaga is a female character (or one of a trio of sisters of the same name) from Slavic folklore who has two contrasting roles. In some narratives, she is described as a repulsive or ferocious-looking old woman who fries and eats children, ...

'' Annbjørg Lien (Grappa/Norside Records) *2000: '' Northern Nights-Music from the Top of the World'' Diverse Artister (Norside Records) *2000: '' Nordic Roots'' Diverse Artister (Norside Records) *2001: '' Fragrance of Norway'' Annbjørg Lien (Dreamboat Records) *2002: '' Aliens Alive'' Annbjørg Lien (Grappa Records) *2002: ''II'' Orbina (DAT Records) *2006: ''9'' Iglo (FoM-R Records) *2007: ''Acoustic'' Diverse Artister (FoM-R Records) *2007: '' Gjenklang'' Diverse Artister (Heilo Records) *2009: '' Abes & Babes'' Abes & Babes (Grappa Records) *2008: '' Spellemann'' Elisabeth Andreassen (Grappa Music) *2009: '' Julenatt'' Rein Alexander/Elisabeth Andreassen (EMI Records) *2010: '' Ein engel til jol'' Inger Lise Stulien (BMG Records) *2010: '' Alle vegne'' Sondre Bratland/Annbjørg Lien (Kirkelig Kulturverksted) *2010: '' Killings (album)'' Vilde Nupen (South Norwegian Jazz Records) *2010: '' As They Fill the Horizon'' Helene Bøksle/Torstein Sødal (TSR Records) *2011: '' Heim til jol'' Inger Lise Stulien (BMG Records) *2012: '' Kärleken & Livet'' Elisabeth Andreassen (Grappa Records) *2013: '' Min vår'' Inger Lise Stulien (BMG Records) *2013: '' Sgrow'' Sgrow (Karmakosmetix Records) *2013: '' Khoom Loy'' Annbjørg Lien (Grappa Records)

References

External links

*
Kongshavn Studios WebsiteSecret Garden Official Website
* {{DEFAULTSORT:Rasch, Bjorn Ole Norwegian composers Norwegian male composers 1959 births Musicians from Elverum Musicians from Kristiansand Living people Academic staff of the University of Agder Heilo Music artists Norwegian male pianists 21st-century Norwegian pianists 21st-century Norwegian male musicians