My pianist/keyboardist Hilmar Kristoffersen and myself have worked with our duo-concept for several years (doing events), but never given a full concert as a duo – until this spring when we gave a concert at Myren Gård in Kristiansand (southern Norway).
I am using this concert teaser (press info) written by concert arranger Monica Brenna to say a few words about our duo (vocals & keys). Monica Brenna makes a tremendous effort for the music community in southern Norway by running this concert venue, but also by bringing music people together, cross-distributing contacts, and by daring to take risks in a music world where no one takes risks anymore!
(Photo: Tine Frich Møller)
As a heading Monica came up with this: THE MOST BEAUTIFUL FAIRYTALE / Concert with ELIN SYNNØVE BRÅTHEN & HILMAR KRISTOFFERSEN. Based on her hearing the duo earlier she continues in the same spirit as if writing a review:
ELIN SYNNØVE BRÅTHEN is one of the strongest musician ladies in Norway today. Elin Synnøve writes songs with substance that moves within the genre pop/jazz mixed with Celtic elements. The compositions are utterly beautiful, melodious and strong, which make them perfect for the small concert venues where the artist is close to the audience – and where the artist cannot rely on anything but her own competence, presence and great songs. These are songs that are as solid in a stripped-down arrangement as with a full band and orchestra. Elin Synnøve is technically very concinving and she conveys the songs with a storyteller’s abilities and a vocal sound as beautiful and pure as water – leaving the listener moved to the bone. She combines technical skills with heart and soul, making her expression personal and real. Her range spans from the deep valleys to the highest highs with natural ease and eleganse. Elin Synnøve Bråthen is signed with CD-label Curling Legs here in Norway – synonymous with exceptional musical quality. She has received fantastic reviews for her two albums both in Norway and abroad. In the voice of Elin Synnøve melodious pop-songs becomes something exciting and jazz-influenced songs becomes more accessible – all in all this is mixed and given an ethnic flavour turning it into something quite unique and exquisite.
(Hilmar Kristoffersen and ESC-winner Alexander Rybak)
Elin Synnøve has joined forces with her Eliksir-pianist HILMAR KRISTOFFERSEN who is arranger, composer and performing musician. He has written music for television and films and has travelled around Europe with Alexander Rybak (the ESC-winner of 2009). Hilmar Kristoffersen has a strong signature in his lyrical touch and versatile musical style. He is also rather innovative when it comes to filtering and producing his own sounds on the different keyboards and vintage syntesizers. The duo presents a mix of Elin Synnøve Bråthen’s songs and a handful of neatly rearranged cover-songs, timeless classics that are given a creative yet respectful makeover in the hands of Elin Synnøve and Hilmar.