Bergen orgelsommer - Bergen International Organ Festival - Karstein Askeland plays the beautiful Weimbs-Organ in St. Mary's Church

Dietrich Buxtehude (1637-1707):
Preludium, g-moll (BuxWV 148)

Koralpreludium:
Ein‘ feste Burg ist unser Gott (BuxWV 184)

Johann Sebastian Bach (1685-1750):
Passacaglia c-moll (BWV 582)                            

Fra Clavierübung III:
Dies sind die heil’gen zehn Gebot‘ (BWV 678)
Aus tiefer Not schrei ich zu dir (BWV 686)

Felix Mendelssohn Bartholdy (1809-47):
Sonate, opus 65 nr. 4 i B-dur
- Allegro con brio
- Andante religioso
- Allegretto
- Allegro maestoso e vivace

Karstein Askeland studied church music at the Bergen Music Conservatory. He then studied organ performance with Prof. Edgar Krapp at the Academy of Music in Frankfurt am Main, where he played his diploma examination in 1985, and his concert examination two years later. Askeland played his debut concert at Oslo Concert Hall in 1986. Since then he has performed throughout Europe, and in Russia, the USA, and South America. His concerts have been presented by the Norwegian National Broadcasting Company (NRK) and by several radio channels abroad. He has done significant work for new music through his close co-operation with several important Norwegian composers, premiering a number of new works. His interaction with Ketil Hvoslef has resulted in several commissions and two CD productions with Hvoslef’s organ works. Askeland was employed as organist in Bergen in 1987, and became Music Director at St. Mary’s Church in 2001. From 2010 until 2015 he was organist at Bergen Cathedral. He was Adjunct Professor of organ at the Grieg Academy of Music, University of Bergen from 1999 till 2019. His work as an organ consultant has resulted in several instruments that have been the subject of much professional interest.