Cikada
Cikada is one of the leading ensembles on the contemporary music scene in Europe. The umbrella organization Cikada consists in three associated, independent groups: Cikada Ensemble, Cikada String Quartet and Cikada Duo. h3. Cikada Ensemble
Cikada and its adjoining ensembles gather the following musicians: Anne Karine Hauge Rønning (flute), Hans Christian Bræin (clarinet), Bjørn Rabben (percussion), Kenneth Karlsson (piano), Henrik and Odd Hannisdal (violin), Marek Konstantynowicz (viola), Morten Hannisdal (cello), Magnus Söderberg (contrabass).
From its start in 1989, Cikada has, through its ability to introduce initiative projects and repertoire, been a central motor in the Norwegian contemporary music scene. Now 20-years old, the group endeavours to cultivate a clean acoustic sound, intermixed with electro-acoustic elements. A central long-term aspect is an extensive co-operation between leading composers, both in the development of interdisciplinary musical works and in making portrayal concerts, such as with the composer Bent Sørensen, whose co-operation on the portrayal concert Night Windows spanned over several years. Even though contemporary music is the very foundation of Cikada, the ensemble has proven little dogmatic when it comes to working across established genres and art forms, at least when the beneficial outcome is innovative art. An example of this being the collaborative projects between jazz musician Arild Andersen and the visual artist Per Inge Bjørlo.
Cikada String Quartet
The quartet’s members are Henrik Hannisdal (violin), Odd Hannisdal (violin), Marek Konstantynowicz (viola) and Morten Hannisdal (cello). The starting point for this string quartet was a fresh interpretation of the epoch-making piece by George Crumbs, Black Angels from 1970, for amplified string quartets. Since then, the quartet has been continuously labouring with the intent of increasing the potential of the string quartet.
Cikada Duo
consists of Kenneth Karlsson (piano) and Bjørn Rabben (percussion). The duo and started off by performing Karlhenz Stockhausen’s Kontakte 1958/60. Their main ambition is to combine fresh interpretations of existing pieces with brand new compositions, specially written with these pieces in mind, as well as to sharpen the repertoire profile in the crossing between Nordic and international music.
Christian Eggen has been the conductor from the start.