MESSING – A Concert Performance by Arne Berggren

MESSING is a musical and theatrical performance for children aged 5–10, developed by Oslo Brass Quintet in collaboration with actor Mats Gukild, with a script by author Arne Berggren. The performance combines live brass music, theatre and dance, exploring what it really means to listen to and experience a concert. Welcome to a performance that is both humorous and thought-provoking! In this children's performance, audiences encounter the expectations and conventions of a classical concert through an unexpected main character. Actor Mats Gukild moves in and out of the music, using physical expression, movement and comedy to create an interaction between himself, the musicians and the audience. The performance playfully explores what a concert can be: Do you have to sit still? When does the music actually begin? What happens when the body responds to what the ears hear? Audiences are introduced to the rich variety of sounds and rhythms found in contemporary music through a story and theatrical setting that is accessible, humorous and visually engaging. MESSING is about expectations and surprises, about imagining something before experiencing it, and about how we influence one another. The music performed is drawn from Oslo Brass Quintet's work with original Norwegian compositions for brass instruments and commissioned works. The repertoire represents a variety of styles within Norwegian contemporary music, while showcasing the versatility of a brass quintet. Several of the works were commissioned by Oslo Brass Quintet, and the performance continues the ensemble's dedicated efforts to develop and promote new Norwegian music. The repertoire includes: - Spiracle (2018) – Kristine Tjøgersen - Fantasi over Solrenning Sæle (2020) – Christian Aftret Eriksen - Melodies of Stray (2018), three movements – Daniel Herskedal - Seks deler av en snurrharpe (2024) – Eirik Hegdal: