Håkon Thelin

Double Bassist

Håkon Thelin is a generation-defining double bassist whose exuberant musicality and high-level technique have been heard in a wide array of album releases and concert performances over the past 25 years.

Known both as an interpreter of contemporary music, where the notes resemble mathematical equations with both 8 and 9 unknowns; from the musically omnivorous three-headed troll POING with Frode Haltli and Rolf-Erik Nystrøm; ensembles like Oslo Sinfonietta, Ensemble Modern and Musikfabrik; and as a composer of both solo and ensemble works.

His interest lies in microtonality and folk music, and in the sonorous exploration of harmonics and multiphonics. These elements shape the music he writes for the double bass, together with a curiosity for discovering new techniques and ways of playing.

Through his own label Peninsula Audio Records he releases his own music which he also records, edits and mix.

Håkon has a PhD in artistic research from the Norwegian Academy of Music where he is now an associate professor of contemporary music.

Composer

As a composer, Håkon creates mainly music for the double bass. He has now the largest body of double bass music by any Norwegian composer. In recent years he has also received a number of commissions from ensembles and soloists. Among these are two string quartets, a double bass concerto for Oslo Sinfonietta, new music for Draumkvedet (The Dream Poem), a work for eight double basses for the bassists in the Norwegian Opera & Ballet, a piece for Ensemble Allegria and soloists and songs and theater music to plays by Tormod Lindgren.

Since long, his compositional interest is focused on microtonality, overtones, just intonation and strange sonic phenomena on the double bass.

From 2011, Håkon is a member of the Norwegian Composers' Association. His works are published by NB noter.

His music has been played in places like USA, China, Japan, Germany, Finland , France, Poland, Switzerland and England, and at festivals like the Ultima Festival, Nordic Music Days, Oslo Chamber Music Festival, Bergen Festival, Borealis Festival, Ilios Festival, Hardanger Music Festival and the Warsaw Autumn.