YR – Ragnhild Hemsing & Hallgrim Hansegård

Ragnhild Hemsing (violin) & Hallgrim Hansegård (dance & choreography) perform YR for the first time at Bergen Art Festival May 2009 broadcasted directly by NRK 1. The music is composed by Lasse Thoresen.

The Norwegian Ragnhild Hemsing, based in Vienna, is one of Europe’s up and coming violin stars. Here she presents a whole new Norwegian approach to classical / contemporary music in which she uses both the classical technique and her deep background in Norwegian folk music on Hardanger fiddle. Hemsing normally performs as a soloist with orchestras, and this is her first dance production.

Hallgrim Hansegård is the choreographer of FRIKAR dance company which he established in 2005. He choreographed the winning act of the Eurovision Song Contest 2009 where he and FRIKAR danced with Alexander Rybak. Hansegård has his background in the Norwegian halling dance and has done research for YR made among elderly dancers ranging in age between 80 and 90 years old, with the aim of a revival for lost dance moves. These movements are included in Hansegårds modern dance technique which is also inspired by the ancient dragon ornamentations on Hardanger fiddles and churches. Hansegård has choreographed and produced five full-night dance productions, and YR is his first serious dance solo, though he looks on YR as a duo with Ragnhild Hemsing.

Lasse Thoresen is one of the most respected living composers of Norway. His work field includes electronic composistions and deep reseach on Norwegian folk music which YR is a great manifest on. Thoresen is Professor at the Royal Academy of Music in Oslo and has worked close with the performers before this premiere of YR – the dance production.