Alexander and Scooter performed “How Much Is The Fish” together at “We Love The 90′s” party in Oslo, Telenor Arena.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=zkFlGsICP_Q

Here is the video documentary of what you have done for the whole year since you turned 25 to the present day:) We tried to gather all we could, all the happenings: concerts, performance at the various events and TV-shows, Meet&Greets and many, many other things you managed to do during this “calm” year!;) Why calm? Because you announced you were going to take it calmer this year and finish your study. Yeah, right! Here you can see how calm this year was for you and…for us! Because the more you work – the more work for us!:)) But that is just great! Keep rolling, fiddler! And we’ll keep working for you!:-)

Yours Facebookies

www.youtube.com/watch?v=RNhF7Z3p_Sc

This is a video,  found on YouTube. It is a download  of the BBC-documentary “Norways massacre”, which has  been shown on national television in, so far,  United Kingdom, Norway, Sweden and Denmark.

It describes the terror-events  in Norway in the summer of 2011, starting with the bomb-attack  in Oslo and the gun-massacre on young people at the AUF-summer-camp at Utøya  22.7. 2011, through interviews of survivors, relatives, police-officers, politicans, psychologists, journalists, lawyers and others.  Most of the speech is in english.

At  around  54 minutes into the program, there are recordings from the Rose-March in Oslo – the public demonstration against the terror-events –  with pictures  of Alexander, playing Bergrosa at Oslo City Square.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=nAoaIGdyd9s

 All rights belong to BBC

Found by Danka Cóllaková

Article published on www.sarpsborg.com, 8.5.2012

Link to original article here

Found by Ulli Cologne. Translation by Marianne Saietz

 Rybak in Halden

Maria, Rosamund and the strings of the culture-school took part in both workshop and concert, arranged by Halden Culture-school. Principal Kirsti Andersen says: ” If it had not been for Sarpsborg and Maria, who had prepared very well, it had not become the sucess, it did “.

Article published in Tønsberg Blad paper issue on May 11th 2012

Written by Kristin Svensen. Photo: K. Håberg Allum.

Found by Sara Anja. Translated by Tessa Lande. English revision by Lillian Llewellyn.

Photo: Bettan, Alexander adn Didrik: The threesome Didrik Solli-Tangen (from left), Elisabeth (Bettan) Andreassen) and Alexander Rybak know each others from different events, but have never been on the same stage together. This summer they will do that in KLubben.

Tønsberg: Bettan and Rybak have had shows here earlier. Now they have been joined by Didrik Solli-Tangen, and promise tremendous summer shows at Klubben in July.

- Yes, this is a real show concert with three major artists representing a frenzied span. There will be pop, rock, great ballads, classical, opera, folksongs and typical summer songs – the whole spectrum, – Tom Sterri said.

He is the director of the show which opens the season at the Hotel Klubben this summer. A show that has been given the telling name “Bettan, Alexander & Didrik.”

Boat and speedboat

In the hall outside the banquet hall they are gathered for the occasion when the show will be launched. Sterri holding the fort on the sofa. Rybak has to pose for a TV photographer, and Didrik is answering an important email. And Elisabeth Andreassen is due to her previous experience ready for the press.

- I am very excited to come back to Tønsberg. I was here with Alexander the year before last, and have been here with Jan Werner (Danielsen) in the past – can not remember when it was. Maybe I’ll take the boat with me, – Bettan said. - I also bought a boat, a cool speedboat. Maybe I should bring it with met? I just have to find out if someone can lend me a berth, – Solli-Tangen says, who is not so well acquainted with the summer city as the other two. - I am looking forward to the fishcakes at the harbor – I buy them every day wrapped in kind of paper. Mmm. Crab and salmon warm fishcakes – that is summer, – Bettan says.

Humor and self-irony

The comments come easily when the three artists talk about summer, show and expectations. Alexander and Didrik know each other well already, as students at the Barratt Due Institute of Music. Bettan and Alexander have worked a lot together the last years. The new trio does not need much time to get acquainted. In common, they all have their connection to the grand Prix. The Five Men orchestra led by Øystein Lund Olafsen shall ensure full musical impact under the chandeliers in Klubben – In addition to that, the 3 artists contribute on various instruments.

- We will give the audience what they expect and some more, – Rybak says.
- We are not going to pile up the good ballads, – Didrik adds.

All these 3 carries warmth and soreness, but also a lot of humor. - We hope to see a small teardrop in the eye, whether it is by melancholy or of laughter, – director Sterri says. The show premieres on July 5.

 Photo: Together in both school and show: Alexander Rybak and Didrik Solli-Tangen are buddies from Barratt Due. This summer they well be togehter on stage in Klubben

May

May 1st, 2012- TV-appearance in the program “Den store skoledugnaden”, TV-Norge.( Norway).20.30 CET.  The program was recorded on May 26th – 29th, 2011 ( More info here)

May 6th, 2012 – Concert with band and Culture-school-orchestras. Brygga Kultursal, Halden. ( Norway) 19.00 – 21.00 CET. ( More info here)

May 18th, 2012 – Concert at official May-17th-celebration. The Norwegian Embassy. Baku ( Azerbaijan)( More info here)

May 24th, 2012 – Performance in interval act at the 2nd semifinal of Eurovision Song Contest 2012. Baku. ( Azerbaijan). 21.00 – 23.00 CET. ( More info here)

June

June 3rd, 2012 – Concert with string-players from culture-schools after seminar June 1st- 3rd. Ås Culturehouse, Ås. ( Norway ) 17.00 CET. ( More info here )

June 19th, 2012 – Concert with “Fathers and sons”: Alexander and Igor Rybak + Boris and Michail Kazinik. Dzintari Concert Hall. Riga ( Latvia). 19.00. ( More info here)

July

July 5th, 2012 – Concert with Elisabeth Andreassen and Didrik Solli-Tangen. Tønsberg. ( Norway ). 19.30.( More info here)

July 6th, 2012 – Concert with Elisabeth Andreassen and Didrik Solli-Tangen. Tønsberg. ( Norway). 21.00 ( More info here)

July 7th, 2012 – Host, conferencier and performer at Childrens Festival. Oscarsborg Akustiske. Oscarsborg, Drøbak. ( Norway). From 11.00. ( More info here)

July 7th, 2012 – Concert with Elisabeth Andreassen and Didrik Solli-Tangen. Tønsberg. ( Norway). 21.00 (More info here)

July 12th, 2012 – Performance at the event “Summer songs” at the Slavic Bazaar-Festival. Vitebsk, (Belarus). 01.30 local time. (More info here)

July 12th, 2012 – Performance at the Grand Opening of the Slavic Bazaar – festival. Vitebsk. ( Belarus ). 20.30 local time. ( More info here)

 July 13th, 2012 – Concert with Elisabeth Andreassen and Didrik Solli-Tangen. Tønsberg. ( Norway). 21.00 (More info here)

July 14th, 2012 -  Concert with Elisabeth Andreassen and Didrik Solli-Tangen. Tønsberg. ( Norway). 21.00 (More info here)

August

August 8th, 2012 – Concert at Sør-Fron Church with Dennis Storhøi and the folkmusic-group Kvarts. Sør-Fron. ( Norway). (More info here)

August 26th, 2012 – Concert with Youth Choir Koriallverda. Evje Church. Evje. ( Norway ). (More info here)

September

September 1st, 2012 – Performance at Childrens event, “Barnas dag i Oppdal”. Free entrance. Oppdal Culturehouse. Oppdal. ( Norway). ( More info here)

October

November

November 27th – December 22nd, 2012 – From Nov.27th to Dec.22nd, Alexander will perform at 46 Christmas-concerts of the Christmas Tour ” Stille natt – Hellige natt” with Elisabeth Andreassen and other well-known artists.

The tour takes place in Norway and at many places, there will be two concerts on the same day.(For more info, look here or here)

December

* 

Information on Alexander’s schedule can also be found here  

If you like to see what Alex had done so far and where he had been, click here

Article published in paper-edition of Halden Arbeiderblad 7.5.2012.

Written by Steinar Øystad. Photos by Cathrine Gjerdingen Larsen

Found by Tessa La. Translation by Laila Solum Hansen. English revision by Anni Jowett.

Photo: The smiles and enthusiasm were never far away during the practicing

Inspiring and thorough

Before the concert at Brygga Kulturhus, there was a musical workshop by Alexander Rybak with the concert participants at Halden Cultural School.The workshop started Friday, and Rybak was so happy with the first impression that he sent more notes to the leader of the Cultural School, Kirsti Andersen during that night.

Prior to the workshop with Rybak that started on Saturday, the different groups had their own rehearsals where special parts of the songs were worked through. Under the direction of Maria Dahle from the Cultural School in Sarpsborg and Kirsti Andersen, the pupils went to the task with pleasure, and the different passages in the songs sounded better and better with each play.

The event of the year.
-”This is clearly the event of the year for the cultural school”, Andersen said. -”We are cooperating with the cultural schools in Sarpsborg, Moss and Fredrikstad, and we have 38 strings playing. In addition Rybak has his band there. The repertoire is in a higher level than the students meet daily, so this is a challenge for everyoneone, but this is the way to improve”.

A satisfied instructor.
-”Here you have an unbelievable good “group sound””, Rybak could tell after the rehearsals on Saturday.
-”This bodes well for the concert”.

-Which elements do you stress the most when you teach young strings? Is it the bow movement, intonation and such?

-”The most important is to make the group sound good together. When it comes to the individual player, I don’t think it is important to say so much besides the basic technique.
The most important is to listen to what the young ones want themselves, with their music. Versatility in genres is important to have a broad base for developing one’s individuality inside the music.”

Satisfied students
-Alexander is skilled and amusing to have as instructor, agreed Therese and Emilie Høiberget and Jenny Bratseth from Halden
-He is very thorough to get everyone on board. You are seen and heard and get individual backing.
-We have learned a lot about sitting in an orchestra and listening to the sound image.
-We are looking forward to the concert

Photo: Therese Hølberget (to the left), Emilie Hølberget and Jenny Braseth had a lot of fun together with Alexander Rybak

Article published in paper-issue of Halden Arbeiderblad, 7.5.1012

Written by Steinar Øystad. Photos by Cathrine Gjerdingen Larsen

Found by Tessa Lande . Translation by Laila Solum Hansen.  English revision by Anni Jowett

Photo: Alexander Rybak sparkled and charmed young and old at Brygga Kultursal

Young strings in a great concert with Rybak

The fact that the cooperation between the cultural schools and established artists produces results, was proved to the audience during the concert with Rybak on Sunday.
The excitement ruled amongst parents, other family members and the rest of the audience in an almost packed concert hall, before the young strings from the cultural schools in Halden, Fredrikstad, Sarpsborg and Moss were going to show what they had achieved during the weekend’s musical workshop with Alexander Rybak.

The world’s best gang.
Seriously the young strings lined up before Rybak came on stage to full applause, and ‘Europe’s Skies’ filled the room.
Rybak encouraged the others with smiles and shouts, and the audience participated with rhythmic clapping.
“We have become the world’s best gang, and have had great fun” Rybak exclaimed after the opening number.
“The organizers have been just fantastic, we even had time for dinner together.”

Feeling for the music
“The most important is not to play all the notes clear and correct,” he continued.
“The most important is to get the right feeling for the music” he added before the waltz ‘First kiss’ by Mats Paulson, well backed by the ensemble, spread in three-fourth beat over the audience.

The application of a violin
“We will try and show you what we can do with a violin” Rybak told before he threw himself into ‘The Bee’ by Schubert.
This is a piece that in its character reminds of ‘The Flight Of The Bumble Bee’ – so most people will understand that this was speedy.
Then five of the violinists were allowed to make some show together with Rybak.
In a quite fast piece the young played with their bows between their knees, with the violin over and on their heads, and playing with their own bow at another’s violin, everything was to the audience’s excited cheers and applause.
“This will be difficult to top” Rybak exclaimed after the number.

Photo: Marthe Kristiansen in co-play with Alexander Rybak

Known songs
One melody that Rybak has often played after 22.July, is the beautiful “Bergrosa”. With the ensemble’s great musical backdrop, the clearly folk characterized folk-song floated through the concert hall.
Here we could clearly hear that the workshop had made both shoots and fruits.
Just as concentrated and coherent was the sound in “The trees of Villa Borghese”.

Humour and charm
Rybak several times made the audience take part in small sing-alongs and other pranks before the time had come for the tune of ‘I use to roll the dice’ (‘Viva La Vida’…)
Now Rybak’s band participated fully, and along with the strings they made a great sound.
“The most beautiful song that I know is ‘Always a woman’ by Billy Joel,” Rybak told.
“But I cannot play this without the help from a young lady,” he added, before he got Marthe Kristiansen from Sarpsborg to play with him.
“We rehearsed this yesterday” Rybak announced before they struck the first notes.
Few among the audience could notice this, and we guess that young Kristiansen will remember this moment for a long time.

Fairytale
As a closing number we naturally got ‘Fairytale’ – and prior to the encore, Turid Myhren could announce that instead of the traditional flowers, Berg Parish Council could present a cheque of more than 3000 NOK to the charity ‘Haydom’s friends’ who runs a hospital in Tanzania, a project that is close to Rybak’s heart.

Interview to M1 channel:

www.youtube.com/watch?v=ygj25LvAG84

Interview to 1+1 channel:

www.youtube.com/watch?v=fuh1LL252hA

Interview to ICTV channel:

www.youtube.com/watch?v=0Io5MJhsEVA

Article published on http://kievskaya.com.ua/ , April 26  2012, 15:51, Kiev, Ukraine.

Link to the original article here

Found by Ulli Cologne. Translation by Zhanna Sergueeva. Revision by Tessa Lande.

The winner of “Eurovision-2009″ told the “Gazeta Kievskaya” what the Ukrainian representative Gaitana should do to make spectators at the Eurovision Song Contest in Baku like her.

The winner of “Eurovision-2009″, the Norwegian of Belorusian origin Alexander Rybak, shot his new video in Kiev. During a break between takes Rybak told about a special invitation to perform at the “Eurovision” in Baku and his relation to the competition that brought him the coveted honor a few years ago.

- I know that after participation in “Eurovision” many artists want to forget this competition and become self-sufficient artists – I think it’s wrong. For example, I am pleased that I got an invitation to perform again at the “Eurovision” and I’m not going to ignore that.

The musician and the singer agreed to give some advices to Gaitana that should help her to get a worthy place in Baku.

About the criticism

- I like Gaitana as a performer – she is a wonderful actress, – Alexander Rybak began. – Specific recommendations are needed for weak ones but she is strong and she doesn’t need them. Most important is to pay less attention to criticism. If they criticize your origin – don’t react towards negative by being negative – it is easier to keep silent. Do not lose your faith in yourself and continue to create because the future success is the best remedy against the critics and ill-wishers.

About the outfit

- Gaitana is a beautiful girl. I saw how she was dressed in the national final – I liked that. I think that nothing really should be changed – in such a dress she surely can perform in Azerbaijan.

About the song

- I have heard the song “Be my guest” several times. It’s not a bad song and has a realy groovy tune. I know somebody in Ukraine has doubts about this song but my prediction is that Gaitana should get into the top ten!

On the manner of performing

- The most stupid thing you can do is to copy other artists. I strongly recommend not to do that to all contestants, so no athletes on stage like it was by Bilan or playing the violin being the emphasis as I did. The main thing is not a show but a sincerity of the number, not an intention to imitate someone such as former winners, and only this way it will be a success!

- I was born in Minsk and when I was 5 my parents brought me to the suburbs of Oslo. Gaitana lived for some time in Congo and it seems to me we have a lot in common. When you’re faced with the condemnation of your roots don’t hide your specialties and your culture. On the contrary emphasize your otherness and uniqueness as a carrier of African roots! Surely Gaitana’s sense of rhythm is ten times higher than that one of many Ukrainian colleagues.

About spectators

- On the eve of my performance at “Eurovision” I said that if the Belarusians agreed I would be very pleased to say that if I would be a winner then half of my success would be a merit of Belarus. Maybe Gaitana should share her future success with Africa, all the more since so many African communities live in Europe, especially in France, Britain and Italy.

In the meantime

Meanwhile the singer herself is diligently preparing for the “Eurovision” to be held in Baku. Her number and details of the concert costume Gaitana holds as a closely guarded secret. But, as “Gazetta” was able to learn, during her performance the singer will not play on any instrument. Earlier journalists speculated that Gaitana could use drums in her show.

- I don’t plan to play instruments on stage in Baku! – the singer commented on her upcoming number. – Maybe I just will come out wearing Ukrainian wreath! – said Gaitana.

According to the contestant from Ukraine, preparation for the “Eurovision” takes a lot of time therefore the traditional party on the eve of departure to Baku had to be cancelled. Unlike her predecessors Gaitana also refused to make a European promotional tour – she will perform only in Ukrainian cities.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=BXhrRb_EmaY