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www.youtube.com/watch?v=W-oit57Ds68

Upload, English translation and subs by Sonya L.  Dutch translation by Marijke Arentsen. French translation by Marion Delafoy-Martin. Slovak translation by Danka Čolláková. German translation by Sabine Fundel. Romanian translation by Jenia Skripnik

Article from kv.no on 19.02.12
Journalist and photography:  Jimmy Aasen
Source : http://kv.no/kultur/alexander-rybak-og-jentekoret-sjarmerte-1.6784226

Translation by Tessa La.

Alexander Rybak and the Girl Choir charmed the audience 

Quality, charm, song and joy of playing. Kragerø Girl Choir and Alexander Rybak did the job and made a sparkling concert in Kragerø Church.

About 400 were present at the Kragerø Girl Choir’s anniversary concert with the guest artist Alexander Rybak, Sunday evening. For nearly one and a half hour the audience experienced songs and music at a very high level.  The Eurovision Song Contest winner was just the artist we expected him to be.

Tonight’s presenter,Willy Nilsen, said what many felt deep inside, when he thanked the artist by saying:
- Alexander, you are a very good boy

Article from  paper issue of  newspaper Varden on 20.02.12
Written by Per Eckholdt.

Found by Jorunn Ekre, Translation by Hildebjørg Ha.

Brilliant: Alexander Rybak and Kragerø Girl Choir were brilliant in Kragerø Church

 The fairytale continues
For Kragerø Girls’ Choir it was a fairytale, but for the MGP-star Alexander Rybak (25) the fairytale continues. This time in Kragerø.

Yesterday evening they presented a bouquet of joint songs from the stage in a packed Kragerø Church. And the inhabitants of Kragerø have not forgotten “Alexander with the fiddle”. The one and a half hour long concert ended, of course, with the winner song from Eurovision Song Contest in 2009, “Fairytale”. At that point the audience stood up and sang along at the top of their voices.

The singer Hannah Caring and Alexander Rybak in a nice conversation during the church concert in Kragerø 

Initiative by parents
Kragerø Girls Choir has always enjoyed challenges. So have the girls’ parents too. Therefore a parent’s group, lead by Hilde Ask Knutsen took the initiative to invite Alexander Rybak to a joint concert with them. After several phone calls and e-mails, it was all in the bag. Rybak arrived in Kragerø late Friday evening and he even asked the young singers to show him the town after the first rehearsal.

Even if Alexander Rybak was accommodated in style, he did not say “no” when he was invited home to some of the singers Saturday evening for cosiness and card play with the family.

But Sunday it became serious, and with about 400 people in the church both Alexander Rybak and Kragerø Girls’ Choir convinced yet again.

Alexander charmed the audience 

Massage
- You can start by massaging [the neck of] the person in front of you, afterwards you massage the persons on both sides of you, Alexander smilingly said after the first songs was done.

And the audience took the challenge and started to massage each other. Accompanied by general laughter.

- I was a bit apprehensive about this project. But I came to a set table. It’s a fantastic quality on these young singers, Alexander Rybak stated several times.

In addition to the solos by Alexander Rybak, the soloists Hanna Carding, Robert Carding, Jan Kristian Kristoffersen, Ragna Nilsen and Lisa Ask Knutsen also participated, and of course a reinforced Kragerø Girls’ Choir.

Rybak  had a good time

Article in the paper issue of Kragerø Blad on 21.2.12

Author of text and picture: Jimmy Aasen

Found by Tessa La. English translation by Laila S.H.

EATING: During the break in the rehearsals, pizza was served in the vestry

The girls of the choir had good contact with the ESC-winner during the Kragerø stay.
It was a very nice weekend, both for the girls in the choir, and for Alexander Rybak, says Hilde Ask Knutsen, who has all her daughters in the choir.
After the concert in the church, Rybak wanted to thank Hilde Knutsen especially for the way she has worked for them.
I don’t have any flowers for you, Hilde, but you are a flower yourself, the fiddler said.
After the rehearsals Saturday, Rybak spent the evening with the girls and the supporting people.
We sat at our house in the evening. Alexander played board games with the girls and we talked. The girls also brought the artist to show him the town.
He praised the choir during the concert?
He said several times that he was impressed by the girls, and that is nice. And I think he meant it. He insisted in giving all the girls a flower, because he meant they deserved it. We hadn’t thought of that, but he did.
For all of us, both the girls in the choir and the supporting group around the choir the weekend became a great experience, says Hilde Ask Knutsen

Musical elevation

Article by the Editor of Kragerø Blad, 21.2.12

Link to the same article: http://kv.no/meninger/leder/musikalsk-opptur-1.6787118

Found by Tessa La. English translation by Laila S.H.

To experience success and praising reviews when you have worked hard and targeted, gives a satisfying feeling, well earned. This good feeling everyone can absorb, all those who worked to make a concert with the not unknown Alexander Rybak and Kragerø Church’s Girls’ Choir. Packed church, great mood and praise to all the participants.
The choir has been working for a long time with preparations to the concert. Alexander Rybak was a fitting choice for the girl group. This talented musician/ composer/ actor, who got his breakthrough when he won the international final of European Song Contest in 2009 with own composed ‘Fairytale’. He comes from a family of musicians with father who is a violinist and mother pianist. He himself started playing both piano and violin from the age of five, but he chose the violin as his main instrument. A solid music education and many awards has this 25-year old, who was headhunted by the girl choir.
Besides this special concert experience, it must have been exciting to spend some time together with the musical capacity Rybak. He has shared of himself, something that certainly has been a great inspiration for the singers. As much he has shown to be an unaffected, down-to-earth person who doesn’t say no to a home visit with good food and a board game. When famous artists show sides like this of themselves, they score even higher among the fans.
There is a Rybak fever raging in Kragerø these days. Because it is fun when you spice up with celebrities and it is created a good and close mood, like the girl choir managed together with the charmer with the undisputable musical talent. It is just to repeat this program, either it will be a ‘Rybak Reprise’ (so even more can get the experience) or with other ‘guest artists’.

Article from kv.no on 17.02.12
Journalist and photography:  Jimmy Aasen
Source : http://kv.no/kultur/alexander-rybak-er-pa-plass-i-kragero-1.6781705

Translation by Tessa La.

ALEXANDER RYBAK IN KRAGERØ

A fantastic good choir, Alexander Rybak said, after the first rehearsal with the Girl Choir in Kragerø Friday evening.

Because of heavy traffic on E18, the artist Alexander Rybak was a bit delayed for the first rehearsal in Kragerø Church Friday evening.

But it didn’t take long before Rybak and Kragerø Girl Choir got started. They were singing and playing with humor and charm.

This is going to be very, very good, Rybak said several times during the first rehearsal.On KV (the newspaper) FB-page you will find a video from where Alexander Rybak and Kragerø Girl Choir practicing the Grand Prix melody “Fairytale” in Kragerø Church

Video from the rehearsal on Feb.17, 2012. Taken from the FB page of  Kragerø Girl Choir.

Recording and sound improving by Julia B.

 www.youtube.com/watch?v=YJJiq3_Y8XU

****

Pictures made by Hilde Knusten  at the last rehearsal before the concert, 19.02.2012

Slideshow

Alexander met his Belorussian fans at the hotel “Victoria” (Minsk) on February 15, 2012.

Video recording by Tanya Kuzmina. English translation by Zhanna Sergueeva, Olina Novikova and Julia B. Subs by Olina Novikova and Julia B.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=oqX0evJiRr0

Dear friends! Exactly 3 years ago Alexander won Norwegian MGP final with “Fairytale” and everything turned upside down in his and ours lives!:)) The majority of his fans all over the world got to know him a bit later, when he won International Eurovision Contest in Moscow, but many Norwegians should remember that day, 21st February 2009;)) Happy anniversary, Alexander!:)))

So, we’d like to celebrate this date and to present you, guys, the video from the Final of Norwegian MGP 2009, the whole story, from his first appearance, through all the exiting voting and to the winning performance:) Enjoy!

Recording and video editing by Venche M. English translation by Tessa La. Russian translation by Zhanna S. Subs by Julia B.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=8_yab_1B5h8

Article published on www.vg.no 12.2.2012. Written by Martine Lunder.

Link to original article: http://www.vg.no/musikk/grand-prix/artikkel.php?artid=10043478

Translation by Marianne Saietz

WON. Tooji Keshtkar won the norwegian MGP-final superior. Photo: Jan Petter Lynau/VG 

“It still hasn´t dawned on me”, Tooji says about the victory.

VG Nett.)  Tooji Keshtkar ( 24 ) won a superior victory at MGP 2012. Backstage, he got advice by Eurovision-winner Alexander Rybak. VG meets Tooji the day after he won MGP with 155.480 votes ahead of both Nora Foss al-Jabri, Bobby Bare & Petter Øien and Plumbo.

” It hasn´t dawned on me yet. Everything is just surreal. I couldn´t sleep last night, even though I tried very hard. The head was just filled with pictures from the night – Mom, who is cheering, the fans who are screaming and my name, being announced”, says Tooji, who sung the song “Stay”.

Winner-advice from Rybak.

Between the battles at Oslo Spektrum, Tooji tried to sooth his nerves backstage. There, he got advice from Alexander Rybak, who won the international ESC himself in 2009.
” He has supported me all the way and been a great help. He asks all the time, how I am doing and takes very good care of me. He has almost become a sort of older brother”, Tooji says. ” For instance, he was very concerned, that I should spare my voice, so he would not let me do all the rehearsals, I was asked of” the artist laughs.

PARTY: Tooji in the final of MGP at Oslo Spektrum saturday night. Photo: Scanpix

Alexander Rybak stepped in for Stella Mwangi at the MGP-final. Here, he played both a part of her “Haba Haba” and of his own winnersong “Fairytale”.

 ”I really look up to Alexander, so I am very proud to get help from him. He really knows what this is about”, Tooji says.

Feared Plumbo

First, Tooji came in the gold-final together with Nora Foss al-Jabri, Bobby Bare & Petter Øien and Plumbo. On the day of the final, VG wrote, that many of this years contestants feared Plumbo, because of the huge media-attention, the band has received.

– ” In a way, Plumbo dominated the MGP in many ways and of course, they were huge competitors, but when I was chosen in Florø, it prooved that Norway wanted me too”, says Tooji, who is full of praises for his competitors: ” Plumbo is a fantastic band with an incredibly catchy song.”

Believes in top-3 

GIVES EXPERT-ADVICE: Alexander Rybak. Photo: Scanpix

But it is Tooji, who will represent Norway at the international final in Baku, Aserbajdsjan on may 26^th.

” At the norwegian final, I promised myself to deliver a firework of a show. That, I will do in Baku too”, Tooji promises. Here, he will perform the song “Stay”, which the Eurovision-team itself thinks, had the greatest international appeal of the norwegian songs. “That, I take as a huge compliment. Now, I will take Norway all the way to the top and to the top-3 at least, I will manage” Tooji smiles.

Back at work

When it was clear, Tooji had won, Mayor Fabian Stang reacted fast, and gave the artist a day off from work at the Oslo City Child Council on Monday. ” How surreal is that, that the Mayor gives me a day off ,because I won the MGP? It is completely amazing”, Tooji laughs.

After Monday, however, he looks forward to get back to work. – “The City Child Council makes me keep by feet solid on the ground. I have clients who are waiting and a job to do, so it will just be lovely to get back. And I am still, excactly the same Tooji”, says the MGP-winner.

Article published on www.adressa.no 11.02.2012.  Written by Veronika Søum. Photo: Ernst Vikne/Wikimedia Commons

Link to original article: http://www.adressa.no/kultur/article1772616.ece

Translation by Marianne Saietz.

Rybak made the audience join on “Haba Haba”

Rybak included the winner-song of last year in the intermission-act at the MGP-final.

Stella Mwangi chose to be with her family instead of at Oslo Spektrum, during the Melodi Grand Prix-final Saturday evening, after her father died in a car-crash last week.
Instead, it was the Grand Prix- favorite Aleksander Rybak, who stood for the intermission-act at Oslo Spektrum.

He started by playing the chorus of ” My heart is Yours” on fiddle, before he took off with “Fly on the wings of Love”.
” Are you ready to join the greatest joy-song of last year? This is for Stella”, Rybak said and gave room for the dancers on stage , while he accompained on fiddle. The audience had got a short introduction to the dance and managed, to hang on to the rhytms. Carolas ” Fångad av en stormvind” had to be included in Rybaks Grand Prix-medley, along with german Lenas “Sattelite”. And of course, he finished with his own “Fairytale” , met by full cheering from the audience.
” Just sing along, if you can!”, Rybak encouraged.

Rybak is on top of the wishing-list for many national ESC-selections, which are arranged around Europe these days. In addition to the norwegain final, the musician will perform in ESC-gigs in Denmark, Belarus and Aserbajdsjan.

Article found by Sonya Luzina. Translation by Zhanna Sergueeva. English revision by Anni Jowett.

Link to the original

Rybak: “You Belorussians have such a tradition to sing in poor English”

The winner of Eurovision Song Contest shares his opinion regarding Lanskaya and her resource,  discuss “his” and “our” Belarus and talks about his new songs’ in Belorussian language.

Author: EuroRadio 02/15/2012 12:26
Photo by: www.zaycev.fm

The star of “Eurovision” Alexander Rybak arrived to Minsk to perform at the “Eurofest” and to see his grandmother. However this time the singer did not managed to visit his grandmother at home. Zinaida Yegorovna met his grandson at his dressing room.

Alexander Rybak: “Well, to meet my grandmother, as always! (laughs) And now I have a new song in Belarussian… And I’m very very glad that the audience accepted it so well. Because Russian language… to be honest I don’t feel I sing well in Russian. It’s good for my career here to sing in Belarusian! I like the song, very lyrical text”.

We are talking about the song “Nebaskhіl Eўropy” (“Europe Skies” in Belorussian), which was translated into Belarusian by the poet Gleb Lobodenko. It happened due to the project “Tuzіn. Perazagruzka-2″, which was held by the portal “Tuzіn gіtoў” together with the culture company “Budzma belarusamі” (Let’s be Belorussians).

With grandmother Zinaida Yegorovna

Did the jury listen to the opinion of the “Eurovision” winner during taking a decision on the “Eurofest”?
Alexander Rybak: “I hope no one listened to my opinion. Because I did not listen to the artists and spoke too much”.

Being asked which of the contestants he likes, first of all Alexander refers to the group “Lightsound.”
Alexander Rybak: “I listened a little … For example I liked Lightsound very much. I just listened to them 10 seconds and immediately felt this is a great song!”

However Rybak admits he likes Alena Lanskaya as well, especially … from behind!
Alexander Rybak: “Yes, I really like Alena. I saw her performance on YouTube. And now I saw her from behind the stage . From behind she is really beautiful as well (laughs).”

However speaking seriously the artist says Lanskaya was actually stronger than the others.
Alexander Rybak: “Stronger – yes. But it’s not necessarily that this is the best tune. Nobody knows it. I think both the melody is good and she was the strongest singer.”

However Rybak notices that Lanskaya’s pronunciation leaves much to be desired: “You Belorussians have such a tradition …”

When EuroRadio mentions letters of the Vitebsk officials appealing to vote for Lanskaya Alexander is not surprised.
Alexander Rybak: “It can happen in Norway and it can happen everywhere else. This is the world – he who has money can promote his artists. But if there was a song which was 10 million times better than Alena’s one then that song would just have won for sure. And here it turned out that in addition to a good song she also has a good team. “

 Gleb Lobodenko translated a song for Rybak

As EuroRadio found out a presentation of the video for Belarusian version of “Europe Skies” will take place soon – in Minsk he signed an appropriate agreement on the use of the song with the poet Gleb Lobodenko . And the video was shot by the singer in Ukraine with his own money.

Alexander Rybak: “I have a plan to release CD in Belarus. And it would be good if beside this song it contained the other songs in Belarussian.”

Alexander performed at the final of Belorussian selection for “Eurovision 2012″ named “Eurofest”. He presented his new song “Nebaskhil Europy” (Europe’s skies) and also sang his famous “Fairytale”.

Upload and video editing by Yanis B.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=k_kCjNo8Kdg

To read the original article click here.

Found by Anglesina Est. Translation by Zhanna Sergueeva

Prior to participation in “Eurovision”, when I had more time and less concerts I decided to arrange an unusual Valentine’s Day for my beloved girl. And it was unusual because it was a quest day. In different parts of the city, in cafes, under the trees, by friends I hid various riddles and she had to solve those riddles to get the next place. It was very interesting for both of us! In the final of the quest a gift waited for my beloved girl – a candlelit dinner in a beautiful winter garden and me with a bouquet of roses. She even cried with happiness then. It was a pleasure for me to surprise and please her. On the Love Day my wish will be very simple and the most important at the same time – love! Love works wonders!

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