"Swinging home for Christmas" - Alexander Rybak on concert tour with big band in 2010

- I usually say that I am musically responsible, but financially irresponsible -  Alexander said with a smile in an interview related to the concert tour.

He still decided to plan and go on a large-scale Christmas tour in December 2010.
Because he also thinks:

"Christmas is not about receiving,
but about giving for me." 

This is what he was also inspired by:

Alexander Rybak on tour with his large-scale show "Swinging Home for Christmas" - article on glavred.info

 Alexander Rybak now lives in a bus

Author: Oleg Makarov | Source: Glavred.info | 20.12.2010 | Translated from Russian by Mónika Menyhért

Christmas mood always gives the feeling of a miracle and a fairy tale! Even more of this mood is now given by Alexander Rybak, while continuing to tour with his large-scale Christmas show.

Alexander Rybak - Advent Calendar / Adventi Naptár 2020

KÖVESSÉTEK a --> FACEBOOK-OLDALT és az ADVENTI meglepetés-NAPTÁRban minden nap kibonthattok egy-egy ajándékcsomagot egészen december 24-ig.

Itt, a karácsonyfán visszamenőleg is megtaláljátok az ajándékaitokat - kattints a képre!

FOLLOW THE -->FACEBOOK PAGE for the ADVENT CALENDAR - with lots of surprises.

Take and unpack your gift package every day until December 24th.

Here, on your Christmas tree you can always find all gifts - click on the picture.

 

No audience showed up - article on rb.nett, 27.11.2020

Maria, Alexander and Rune sang
 for an empty church

Author and photos: Hugo Tingvoll | Source: Romsdals Budstikke (site) - in Norwegian (text) | 27.11.2020 | Translated by Mónika Menyhért

All 50 tickets for the evening concert with Alexander Rybak, Rune Larsen and Maria Haukaas Mittet were sold. A mistake by the organizer caused that none of the buyers showed up in Molde Cathedral.

Christmas mood in corona time: This year's Stille Natt  Hellige Natt concert tourin Molde Cathedral became the most special since the start 32 years ago. Alexander Rybak, Ingrid Berg Mehus, Maria Haukaas Mittet, Hans Marius Hoff Mittet, Rune Larsen, Tove Kragset and Bernt Rune Stray experienced that the other of the two concerts was performed almost without the audience. 

Interview with Alexander Rybak & Arad Aria, 20.12.2018

               

 Interview mit Alexander Rybak & Arad Aria

The interview was found and transcribed by @parastoo.ch.81 and @rybak.9083 (Instagram) and translated by Angelina R.

Cover photo from Arad Aria's IG story

Published in the Iranian paper Donyaye Egtesad (The world of economy), December 20, 2018 | Interviewer: Arash Sharifzadeh  

EN-HU | Alexander Rybak on the Scandinavian talk-show “Skavlan”, 25.9.2020

 Alexander Rybak on the Scandinavian talk-show “Skavlan” - interview and classical performance
 Alexander Rybak a "Skavlan" skandináv talk-showban - interjú és előadás 

Alexander - as several times before - was again invited to the big Norwegian talkshow "Skavlan" where his was interviewed by the host Fredrik Skavlan and after that, he was also involved in the talk with Åsa Linderborg journalist, writer. 

Then, for the first time, a the end of the show, he performed a classical piece, "Hungarian Suite"

You can watch their talks in this video, also with English translation. 

Click on the CC on the video screen for subtitles. - MAGYARUL lentebb

The true story behind the song "13 Horses" by Alexander Rybak

 

Alexander himself calls his self-composed song 13 Horses (released on his album "Fairytales" in 2009) one of his best: 

AR|IG|13.9.2020

There was no video to it yet, but an animated video has been now made and uploaded to his YouTube channel - watch the video below. 

Alexander performed the song in many concerts at that time all over Europe, but also in ➔New York, like here:

"Pop music connects people" - interview with Alexander Rybak in Estonian paper, 13.9.2020

ALEXANDER RYBAK: "Pop music connects people from different countries as if they were one soul"

"People think that happiness is when you shine on the stage, when you have many supporters and a lot of friends," says Norwegian Eurovision-singer Alexander Rybak. 

"Yes, it can be so, but you always have to ask at what price it all comes. It only comes with great effort. And you have to like all this effort, only then good music can be born." | Photo: Jörg Kollan

Author: Ivo Karlep | Published on pealinn.ee | 13.9.2020 | Translated by Angelina R.

Alexander Rybak talks openly about the pill abuse - article on tv2.no, 6.9.2020

Rybak talks about the drug problems: 

- I was looking forward to the drug every night 

Alexander Rybak talks openly about the abuse of sleeping pills and antidepressants.

Author: Knut Torgersruud Jr. | Published on tv2.no | 6.9.2020 | Translated by Mónika Menyhért

This summer, Alexander Rybak surprised whole Norway with a very personal post on Instagram and Facebook.

He said he has been living with a secret: He has been addicted to pills, in the form of sleeping pills and antidepressants, for eleven years.

Rybak has no doubt that it was right to be open about his problems.

HU | Alexander Rybak filmzeneszerzést tanul az Egyesült Államokban - cikk a VG-ben, 20.8.8.24

Rybak az Egyesült Államokba költözik - amint a koronavírus-helyzet megengedi

Alexander Rybak az Egyesült Államokba költözik, ahol két évig zenés médiaprodukciók gyártását tanulja majd és szerez diplomát a Chicagó-i Columbia College-ben. Most csak arra vár, hogy újra biztonságos legyen az utazás.
Read the article in ➔ENGLISH              

Rybak to study composition of film music in the United States - article in VG, 24.8.2020

Rybak moves to the United States - as soon as the corona situation allows

Alexander Rybak moves to the United States to study. He will take a master in composition of film music in Chicago and will be gone for two years. Now he's just waiting when it's safe to travel.

Alexander Rybak celebrated 10-year-anniversary as an artist, July 2016

Alexander Rybak celebrated 10-year-anniversary as an artist with the "Entertainer" summer show, July 2016

Reviews ◘ Photos ◘ Interviews

It was in 2006 when Alexander won the musical talent show “Kjempesjansen” ("The Big Opportunity", actually Norway's Got Talent) on the channel NRK (Norwegian national broadcaster) with his own jazzy composition “Foolin'”. That was when his extraordinary career began. 
So in 2016, he celebrated his 10-year-anniversary as an artist, with his "Entertainer" summer show with his dancer and singer colleagues Heidi Ruud Ellingsen and Sofie Bjerketvedt, in 5 shows, on the 6th, 13th,15th and 20th-22th July 2016 in Bølgen Kulturhus, Larvik, Norway.

FAN REPORT from the Viru Folk Festival, Käsmu, Estonia - 9.8.2020

A DREAM HAS COME TRUE - FAN MEETING WITH ALEXANDER RYBAK

Due to the COVID-19-pandemic outbreak, it was uncertain for long, if this year's Viru Folk Festival in Estonia could be held, and if so, the travel restrictions allow Alexander Rybak to travel to the event. In the end, the festival was supposed to be organized as planned and all artists could attend.

But it was clear that in this circumstances, there was hardly any chance for a meeting that many fans of Alexander long for all over the world. 

Just like the 15 year old girl, Angelina from Estonia.

Alexander Rybak at the Viru Folk Festival, Käsmu, Estonia, 9.8.2020

Alexander Rybak at the Viru Folk Festival, Käsmu, Estonia, 9.8.2020

ARTICLES - INTERVIEW - VIDEOS - PHOTOS 

EN-HU || Alexander Rybak in "Allsang på Grensen" 2009-2021

Alexander Rybak in the Norwegian sing-along show "Allsang på Grensen" 

Alexander Rybak a norvég "Allsang på Grensen" szabadtéri TV-showban

Alexander in Allsang in 2009
Foto: Halden Arbeiderblad

Photo: Dagsavisen, 1.7.2009

Allsang_på_Grensen is the recording of an outdoor TV-show of TV2 Norge hold in front of a live audience and organized from 2007 on in the town Halden at the Swedish-Norwegian border, at a beautiful venue at the Fredriksten Festning in Halden that is also the title 
from: "Sing along on the border". It is a series of shows every summer where they deals with all-time favorites and they invite well-known Norwegian and Swedish musicians. 

The shows are aired o TV2 a few days after the recording on the venue.

Rybak-success in Valdres - articles on oa.no, 23.6.2009

Alexander Rybak as a guest at Valdres Sommersimfoni 

"Alexander Rybak held a sparkling concert
at Saint John's Eve in Valdreshallen in Fagernes."
- a video of Valdresportalen 
(a short interview included)

Two articles (excerpts) and a photo gallery were published in the local paper Oppland Arbeiderblad.

EN(RU) || "Magic" | SINGLE and MUSIC VIDEO by Alexander Rybak | Новая песня и видеоклип Александра Рыбака

SINGLE and MUSIC VIDEO

MAGIC

Новая песня и видеоклип 

Alexander's tribute to life after a long fight out of pill addiction. THE SONG (released 17.7.2020) was written when he came across a blog about a serious illness, so the song is also a thank you to the girl who openly shared about her life giving him comfort and strength as he said in an --> interview: 

"She and her blog have defined this summer for me, and I'm full of musical joy now."

- LYRICS IN SEVERAL LANGUAGES BELOW! -

--> Статья на русском 

- It has meant everything to me to visit Nesodden as often as possible - Alexander Rybak to amta.no, 8.6.2020

A few hours after this moment, everything changed - see what has helped Alexander

By Ann-Turi Ford | Published on amta.no | NO 

June 8th 2020 | Translated by Mónika Menyhért

Just before everything broke loose, the Rybak family sat on the edge of the bed
in the hotel in Moscow where the entire Norwegian delegation, including Amta, was staying.

In a hotel room in Moscow in the afternoon on Saturday 16 May 2009, Amta had an exclusive chat with the Rybak family. The parents were so happy that he has slept well and long before the big final.

Oksval: It was not without reason that Natasha and Igor Rybak were relieved.

Last week we learned that what began as innocent sleep aid around Eurovision in Moscow, in recent years has ended up taking control of the young artist's life.

"- This is the funniest thing I have done in a long time" - interview with Alexander on amta.no, 26.7.2020

Secretive Alexander is ready for change:

- This is the funniest thing I have done in a long time

Alexander Rybak does not say whether there is romance in the air between him and Martine Røsten Aune.
"- We have only met four times, but we agree that we have a magical friendship."

 Photo: Alexander Vestrum

Author: Ann-Turi Ford | Published on amta.no | 26.7.2020 | Translated by Mónika Menyhért

This week, Alexander Rybak has recorded a new episode of "Allsang på grensen", next week comes the video that will celebrate that he is himself again - and he has certain plans for this autumn.

Alexander Rybak celebrating his birthday at the Norwegian embassy in Moscow, 2009 - article in Aftenposten + video

Alexander Rybak celebrated his 23rd birthday at the Norwegian Embassy in Moscow on Wednesday night.
He was given a weapon full of vodka by the head of Universal in Russia. 

Author: Christina Torsøe | Photos: Sara Johannessen | Published in Aftenposten NO |13.5.2009 | Translated by Mónika Menyhért

Alexander celebrated with a single, giant cake and gifts

Alexander Rybak was greeted with a birthday song, gifts and camera flashes when he arrived at the Norwegian embassy in Moscow tonight (watch the video below).

Alexander Rybak's great inspiration: "She and her blog have defined this summer for me" - articles in local papers, 20.-21.7.2020

Alexander Rybak's new song "MAGIC" is about a blogger

Author: Øyvind Holm Lønberg | Published in Romerikes Blad | July 20th 2020 | Translated by Mónika Menyhért 

"- It is very special and cozy. It means a lot to me."

This is what Martine Røsten Aune says about what she thinks about the famous artist's new song about her.

Alexander Rybak was close to relapse: Saved by a blog - (Video)interview to vg.no, NRK and SE&HøR, 17.7.2020

SINGING ABOUT MARTINE: In a new song, Alexander Rybak
 pays tribute to blogger Martine Røsten Aune. - "This girl is magical.
She is like taken out of a fairy tale, he sings in the song Magic".
 Photo: Scanpix / Private

"It's been a long time since I have enjoyed music as much as I do now"

Author: Jørn Pettersen | Published on vg.no No |17.7.2020 | Translated by Mónika Menyhért

After being addicted to sleeping pills and antidepressants for 11 years, Alexander Rybak (34) was well on his way to rehabilitation. But in May he met the wall and was back at full speed.

"I'm not the type to go crazy" - Interview with Alexander Rybak in Dagsavisen, 27.6.2016

4 years ago, Alexander celebrated his 10-year-anniversary as an artist with his "Entertainer" summershow with his dancer and singer colleagues Heidi Ruud Ellingsen and Sofie Bjerketvedt, in 5 shows, on the 6th, 13th,15th and 20th-22th July 2016 in Bølgen Kulturhus, Larvik, Norway.

He was also interviewed on this occasion in Dagsavisen. NO

Interview with Alexander Rybak in the Ukrainian magazine Отдохни!/Otdokhni, 26.6. 2020

Interview with Alexander Rybak in the Ukrainian magazine Отдохни!, 26.6. 2020

Отдохни!/Otdokhni/Relax! Nr. 27/2020 (paper issue)

Translated by Mónika Menyhért, revised by Marina Chirnitcaia

Private meeting

Alexander Rybak: "The only hope for a normal life is quitting medications"

Alexander Rybak, the winner of Eurovision 2009, popular singer and musician from Norway recently told about that he paid a terrible prize for his popularity. It turned out that the 34-year-old artist has been addicted to pills for 11 years, which affected his health very badly. Fortunately, Sasha ensured Otdokhni that his life is gradually getting better.

Alexander Rybak with Felix Peikli in 2007, 2010 and 2020

Alexander Rybak in concert with Felix Peikli

in 2007, 2010 and 2020

- reviews, photos and videos -

Felix Peikli - also known as the clarinet king in Norway - is an internationally accomplished artist and jazz clarinetist from Oslo. Alexander shared the stage several times before with him. - His website | FB-site

It was the first concert of Alexander this year, and on the 1st July 2020, he performed  with Peikli's Pavilion Orchestra on Karpedammen scene, at the Music and Theater Festival at Karpedammen, at Akershus Festning, Oslo, Norway

"After ten years of addiction, it was enough for Alexander Rybak" - article in Dagbladet, 25.6.2020

Problems on prescription

- Honestly about the pill use -

Author:  Eirik Alver | Photos:  Agnete Brun | Published in Dagbladet Magasinet | 25.6.2020

Photos in the cover picture: Agnete Brun | Dagbladet

- First of all, I want to emphasize one thing. Or two.

Alexander Rybak holds up a finger in the air. Then two.

- One: I can only tell my own story. Mental health is very individual. And two: I have never taken any illegal drugs. Never tried partydop to test boundaries or anything like that. I followed the prescription on the package and of course never thought it would create addiction issues.

Alexander Rybak filmed with Will Ferrell: - Therapy || ARTICLES-INTERVIEWS on. vg.no, db.no and nrk.no, 26.6.2020

Watch the medley
Song-A-Long: "Believe", "Ray Of Light", "Waterlo", "Ne partez pas Sans Moi" and "I Gotta Feeling"
 of the Eurovision-artists in the movie

The movie tracks on --> Spotify:

FAIRYTALE ABOUT THE FISHERMAN AND THE FISH, an interview with Alexander on ktoglavny.ru, 2009

FAIRYTALE ABOUT THE FISHERMAN AND THE FISH

Text: Daria Lyaskalo | Photo: Toben Sonstrod, Universal Music (Russia) | Published on ktoglavny.ru || Translated by Mónika Menyhért, revised by Marina C.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------

The Russian title "Fairytale о рыбаке и рыбке" / "Fairy tale about the fisherman and the fish" refers to the fairy tale of Pushkin "Сказка о рыбаке и рыбке", and also to that the name Rybak means 'fisherman" in Russian.

We still began to arrange an interview with Alexander Rybak in September - as soon as his upcoming concert in Rostov became known. “Rybak does not give interviews to fancy magazines" - summed up several agents in these negotiations. Apart from us, only two Russian magazines got a chance for a personal interview with him.

RU || FAIRYTALE О РЫБАКЕ И РЫБКЕ - Статья в "КТО Главном", 2009

FAIRYTALE О РЫБАКЕ И РЫБКЕ

Текст: Дарья Ляскало | Фото: Tоббен Сонстрод, Universal Music (Россия) | Oпубликовано

Договариваться об интервью с Александром Рыбаком мы начали еще в сентябре — как только стало известно о его предстоящем концерте в Ростове. «Рыбак не дает интервью глянцу», — резюмировали несколько посредников в этих переговорах. Кроме нас, только два российских журнала получили доступ к телу. По слухам, один — за большие деньги, второй — по давней дружбе с кем-то из его окружения. В офисе, где с мая песня Fairytale звучала одновременно из четырех мобильных, поиск ее автора стал чем-то вроде соревнований по ловле рыбы на крючок без наживки, то есть без личных знакомств и без денег. В конце концов телефон концертного директора мы все-таки раздобыли. Беседа переносилась несколько раз. Сначала музыкант обещал поговорить во время московского визита, но график был слишком плотным. Потом пару раз откладывался международный звонок в Норвегию. Наконец, я набираю номер директора в 10:30 по норвежскому времени, как договаривались. С Россией разница — два часа. «Вы позвонили слишком поздно, мы ждали вашего звонка два часа назад, теперь мы в самолете. Позвоните, когда приземлимся в Санкт-Петербурге». Когда я позвонила в очередной раз, Александр Рыбак стоял в очереди на паспортный контроль. Видимо, поняв, что отступать некуда, он согласился ответить на наши вопросы. Причем на русском языке, которым почти не пользовался с шести лет и до победы на «Евровидении».

Alexander Rybak won the talent contest Kjempesjansen2006 with his own song Foolin'

Alexander showed his musical talent and great entertaining  spirit, when played concerts and went on concert tours with his family from an early age.
He was from the beginning also preoccupied with thinking “outside the box”. He began playing jazz and popular standards as well as pop hits. He composed music from an early age. 

EN-RU || Three new singles by Alexander Rybak | "Give Me Rain" | "Позади" | "My Whole World" | lyrics translations

Alexander released two new singles on the same day, the 4th June 2020

"Producing this music at home has helped me through rehab."
"Работа над ними была частью моей терапией. "

Interview and common performance of Didrik S-T. and Alexander Rybak on May 17th 2010 in vg.no

On the Constitution Day of Norway, the 17th May 2010, 12 days before the Eurovision Song Contest 2010 - due to Alexander's huge victory the previous year - was held in Oslo, a big show took place on Rådhusplassen (City Hall Square), where also Alexander's former school mate and good friend, Didrik Solli-Tangen, the Norwegian ESC-representative of that year performed, and Alexander joined him on violin.

Watch Didrik's performance in the Grand Final of ESC2010 ➡HERE 

Vg's journalists were also present at the show and interviewed both artists. Here is their report and video:

Didrik: - Wish I had Alexander in the final

Look, here they are together on stage!

RÅDHUSPLASSEN (VG Nett) - Here Didrik Solli-Tangen and Alexander Rybak "fights back" against the conflict allegiations with a big hug.

"- My little angel" - Interview with the Grandma of Alexander Rybak on vg.no, 1.3.2009

"- My little angel" - Interview with the Grandma of Alexander Rybak in vg.no, 1.3.2009

Proud grandmother: Maria Savitskaya proudly
 presents posters with her beloved grandson,
Alexander Rybak. Photo: Vasily Malashenkov

The GP hero's grandmother (83) hopes for the trip to the finals

Rybak-Stanghelle-Family's Concerts in Southern Norway 1996-2011

Rybak-Stanghelle-Family's Concerts in Southern Norway 1996-2011
- reviews and old photos -

The friended musical families living in Nesodden started playing concerts together in southern Norway in 1996. Stephen Ackles, renowned Norwegian vocalist, pianist and songwriter joined them in 2003.
Here will you find some photos and excerpts from reviews in local papers from the concerts those years. 
All found on the website of Thomas Stanghelle.

Summer shows of Alexander Rybak, Thomas Stanghelle and Hanne Krogh, July 2007

The Rybak- and Stanghelle musical families had already have a ten years tradition of playing summer concerts together in southern Norway, when they decided to make the eleventh a special one and to invite Hanne Krogh successful and beloved MGP- and Eurovision artist to join.

It consisted of 3 shows and took place in Arendal, Lyngdal and Kristiansand.

Below you'll find some reviews of local papers and a radio-interview that should be the oldest recording that was found with him so far.

Translated by Mónika Menyhért who is not native either in the Norwegian or in the English language, so any correction is welcomed and appreciated.

Sources of all articles and photos and the audio-file:

http://thomasstanghelle.com