Samspill presents a new concert series: Samspill Klassisk – a concert series with borderless classical music! Through 6 concerts at Gamle Aker Church and Holmlia Church in Oslo, Samspill challenges our conventional perception of what classical music is. Here, classical music traditions from beyond Europe's borders and from all over the world are showcased.
First up:
Silkeveien
Classical music from India, Iran, Pakistan and Nepal
The Indo-Iranian cultural sphere is the origin of a vast musical heritage, with several classical music traditions. At these concerts, the audience will experience performers at an international top level interpreting Indian ragas and Persian music inspired by the poets Hafez and Rumi.
The beautiful acoustics of Gamle Aker Church and Holmlia Church will provide the perfect setting for this music, which is meditative, philosophical, and deeply spiritual in its origin.
Performers:
Harpreet Bansal - violin
Javid Afsari Rad – santur
Sanskriti Shrestha – tablas
Reshail Mansoor - vocals
Time and place:
March 8th at 18:00 (doors open at 17:30) – Gamle Aker kirke
March 15th at 18:00 (doors open at 17:30) – Holmlia kirke
Buy tickets here:
About the musicians
Harpreet Bansal
Harpreet Bansal is a Norwegian-Indian award-winning violinist and composer from Oslo, known for her unique reinterpretation of the deep Indian raga tradition. She performs with several of the country’s leading musicians and has left her mark on numerous album releases. Harpreet has released 5 albums, been a soloist with the Oslo Philharmonic Orchestra and the Norwegian Radio Orchestra (KORK), and composed commissioned works for, among others, Cikada Ensemble, Oslo Sinfonietta, and KORK. She has toured Europe and Asia as a soloist, and with Harpreet Bansal Band and KARPE.
Javid Afsari Rad
Javid Afsari Rad is an award-winning Persian musician and composer from Iran. He plays the string instrument santur and has been a central figure in Norway’s music scene since 1986. His music is inspired by both Persian traditions and Western classical music. He is the founder of the ensembles ComboNations, Javid Afsari Rad Ensemble, and Norwegian World Orchestra. Javid has toured much of the world both as a musician and ensemble leader, and has composed commissioned works for the Norwegian Radio Orchestra (KORK). He has received the Gamleng Prize in the Contemporary Composer category and was named "Artist of the Year" by the City of Oslo.
Reshail Mansoor
Reshail Mansoor is a Norwegian-Pakistani singer from Oslo. Over the years, he has captivated audiences with his interpretations of the classical North Indian and Pakistani raga traditions. His musical heritage can be traced back to the 16th century, with raga-based genres such as khayal, thumri, ghazal, and sufi kalam. Reshail has studied under Ustad Harbajjan Singh Bansal and Ustad Fateh Ali Khan.
Sanskriti Shrestha
Sanskriti Shrestha is a tabla player and percussionist from Nepal. Rooted in Nepalese classical music traditions and her unique instrument setup, she has expanded the melodic potential of the tabla. Sanskriti is known from bands such as Bugge Wesseltoft's New Conception of Jazz, Moksha, and her own band Avatar. She composed a commissioned work for the Ultima Festival in 2024.
Samspill Klassisk
– a concert series with limitless classical music
Through 6 concerts at Gamle Aker Church and Holmlia Church in Oslo, Samspill challenges our conventional perception of what classical music is. Here, classical music traditions from beyond Europe’s borders and from around the world are presented. These music traditions span millennia, with deep roots, complex musical systems, and extensive educational practices. Traditions that have shaped societies, fostered world-class performers, and inspired Western classical composers.
A wealth rarely heard on Norwegian concert stages, but now available to experience in some of Oslo's most beautiful church spaces. Let yourself be surprised, moved, and enriched by some of Norway's leading performers in Indian raga, Persian radif, and a range of other classical genres.
Harpreet Bansal is the curator and musical director of Samspill Klassisk, and the concert series is supported by the City of Oslo and the Arts Council Norway.