Henrik Hellstenius
Instrument of Speech (2016/17), for ensemble and samples
Through the recorded voices of famous linguists and philosophers such as Noam Chomsky and John G. Bennett, Hellstenius meditates on the relationships between the musicality in spoken languages, and their poetic or semantic meaning of language.
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Henrik Hellstenius (b. 1963) studied musicology at the University of Oslo and later composition with Lasse Thoresen at the Norwegian Academy of Music. In 1992-93 he studied with Gérard Grisey at the Paris Conservatoire, as well as computer-assisted composition at IRCAM. Hellstenius’ output encompasses a large range of works: chamber music, orchestral works, operas, instrumental theatre works, music for dance and staged concerts. His music is frequently performed at concerts and festivals around the world. His opera Sera received the Norwegian Edvard Award in 2000, and has been staged in Oslo and Warszaw. His second opera, ”Ophelias: Death by Water Singing” was premiered in Oslo 2005 and staged in Polen, Norway and Germany. Hellstenius has been performed by ensembles and musicians like Cikada, BIT20,Oslo Sinfonietta, Court Circuit, Irvine Arditti, Peter Herresthal, Asamisimasa, Hans Kristian Kjos Sørensen, Ensemble El Perro Andaluz, Bergen Philharmonic etc. He has been composer in residence with the Bergen International Festival 2011, Oslo Philharmonic Orchestra 2013/2014,and the Buffalo in June Festival 2017. Henrik Hellstenius is also a professor of composition at the Norwegian Academy of Music in Oslo.
