Brilliant concert in Grorud church, Oslo - review on Groruddalen.no, 13.12.2021

Brilliant concert when the cathedral was filled to the brim for the last time in a while... - a review

THE WHOLE GANG: Conductor Tove Kragset (f. l.), Alexander Rybak, Ingrid Berg Melhus, Hans Marius Hoff Mittet, Maria Haukaas Mittet, Rune Larsen and guitarist Bernt Rune Stray

 Text and photos:  Rolf E. Wulff | Source: Groruddalen.no | Published: 13.12.2021

 "Stille Natt Hellige Natt" could finally take over Grorud church again. Once again, the ensemble "delivered the goods". Two concerts with full houses - only hours before it was no longer legal!

– It is good to be back in Grorud church again, confirms Rune Larsen in the break between the two performances. He has never hidden that this is his favorite church.

– We are of course happy that it is possible to hold concerts again, no matter where it is. But unfortunately, from tomorrow there will be far fewer viewers than until today. Thus, it was narrowly to welcome two full houses here on Grorud this time, says Rune.

SINGING TRIO: Maria Haukaas Mittet (f.l.), Rune Larsen and Hans Marius Mittet
in harmonized and emotional singing.

Musical world

He appreciated that they managed to hold the concerts at Grorud before the new regulations came into force, since this is (as we have written "a few thousand" times now) the favorite church. But he, like all other artists, just thinks it's sad that the corona continues to create uncertainty, especially for the cultural sector.

– Fortunately, we can continue the tour. After all, it is better than last year when absolutely everything was canceled, Rune points out.

However, they did not make an issue of not being able to perform in Grorud church last year during this year's concert or the corona situation in general.

– It would not feel right. Today is today. The audience should not be reminded of corona. Simply come here, relax and join our musical world and for a while forget the world outside. We all deserve such experiences nowadays, Rune smiles.

FAIRYTALE-COUPLE: Alexander Rybak and Ingrid Berg Melhus have much more in common over the years than playing the violin together. But in Grorud church it was only about fiddle playing – for the big gold medal.

BEAUTIFUL VIOLIN PLAY: Ingrid Berg Melhus impressed once again with her violin playing
and beautiful singing performances.

LIVELY BOY: Alexander Rybak always cheers everyone up. What a gifted entertainer.

A violin flirtation

And if there is anyone who can excite their audience and let them float into an Advent and pre-Christmas atmosphere with glorious entertainment, then it is exactly Rune and „his gang”.
A group that this time consisted of the couple Maria Haukaas Mittet and Hans Marius Hoff Mittet, as well as Ingrid Berg Melhus and Alexander Rybak.
After the concert in 2019, we wrote the following: „This is the first time Ingrid Berg Melhus is present. This year she replaced Alexander Rybak. Does anyone wonder if she too can sing and play the violin? Yes, quite so much. From the first violin note, she had the audience in the palm of her hand. She was rewarded with stomping and cheering when she played in Groruddalen's cathedral for the first time”.

Enough celebrity gossip

When both she and Alexander are involved at the same time, it becomes a "fiddle playing" without equal. Especially in a number where they hold a proper "violin duel".

– We call it a violin flirtation, Alexander said with a twinkle in his eye.

They first met when they were both studying at the Barratt Due Music Institute. And then the story says that they were a couple in their time and that Ingrid was the mysterious girl that Alexander sang in the love song "Fairytale" about.
But enough „celebrity gossip”. Both are God-gifted violinists and excellent singers. Then the result speaks for itself. Just brilliant. But let it be said that the undersigned is more easily put off by ecstasy when Alexander sings and plays his version of Alf Prøysen's "Romjulsvise".
It was the first concert Alexander attended in connection with this year's concert tour. He is currently studying music in Chicago, but just got back to Norway so he got to join Grorud church – and thank you for that.

AT HOME GROUND: Even though he is from Bergen and says he rather listened to Arne Bendiksen sing Christmas songs than Bing Crosby in his childhood,
we can safely say that Rune Larsen feels quite at home in Grorud church

.

ON THE LIST: After Hans Marius Mittet had performed „Hosianna / Jerusalem”,
he was immediately listed on the undersigned's list of great song numbers in Grorud church.

WONDERFUL VOICE: Maria Haukaas Mittet now sings in the undersigned's opinion
better than ever. She delivered several major solo numbers.

Children's statements

The Mittet couple simply sings better and better. Two of the biggest voices we have in the country at the moment. When they then stand together under Per Vigeland's over 200 square meter large fresco from 1936 and sing "The Prayer", it becomes magic. In addition, Hans Marius performed the song some may know as "Hosanna", others as "Jerusalem".
In any case, Hans Marius sang straight into the undersigned's personal list of great singing performances in Grorud church. Rune Larsen is also on that list for a long time with his performance of „Ikke en spurv til jorden" – fortunately he sang it this time too!

But there were several highlights during this year's concert without the need for name them all. You have already realized that "Stille Natt, Hellige Natt" fulfilled once again. It was also the 32nd time this very special Christmas concert has taken over churches around the country.
For Rune, it was the 19th time in a row. A Rune who of course gave us some examples of children's statements about how they can experience the Bible and Christianity in their own way. For example, the boy who explained Jesus' resurrection by saying: “He slept in a cave for three days. Then he woke up a little dirty – but he was in a very good mood”.

A Rune who also told us all that we should never stop telling our kids that we are happy that they are exactly our children. It can not be said too often. It's not like the kids take it for granted if they do not hear it for a while!

Musical pilgrimage

"Stille Natt, Hellige Natt" is humor, seriousness, melancholy and happy thoughts. For reflection and joy. Solo singing and duets, tender and beautiful. It is a musical pilgrimage to Bethlehem during Advent, where there is room for both the Christian message and the song Rudolf with the Red Nose, which is really about being different. It is about everyone being taken care of no matter who you are or look like.

– Then it will be a good enough Christmas song for me. If there are any theologians present tonight, I will gladly take that discussion, Rune proclaimed with a smile.

– Communicated through some of the country's foremost artists and musicians, we want with "Stille Natt, Hellige Natt" to unite holiday and joy. The respect for the message and the church room is clear, at the same time as the play and joy takes place, says producer for the concert through all these years, Tor Arne Ranghus.

Thereby creates a concert that gives you everything on a tray, brilliantly composed into a unit that never fails, together with conductor Tove Kragset and guitarist Bernt Rune Stray who complete it all.

(The translator of this article is not native either in the Norwegian or the English language, so any correction is welcomed and appreciated.)