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The Norwegian organist, Kåre Nordstoga, had his early studies under Harald Aune and Odd Jacob Unhammer in Notodden where he grew up, graduationg in 1973. He went on to study at the Norwegian Academy of Music (NMH) in Oslo, where his teachers included Kaare Ørnung, Søren Gangfløt, Magne Elvestrand and Bjørn Boysen (1973-1978). Following his debut at Oslo Cathedral in 1978, he studied with David Sanger in London (1978-1981).
Kåre Nordstoga worked as organist at Ullern Kirke from 1977 to 1984. In May 1984 he was appointed assistant organist at Oslo Cathedral (Domkirke), and from 1994 he has been principal organist, specialising in organ recitals. From August 1981 to August 1994 he taught organ at the Norwegian State Academy of Music
In addition to his work as accompanist for the Cathedral choir, his repertoire includes a wide range of organ works, the emphasis being on such Classical masters as J.S. Bach, W.A. Mozart, César Franck, Widor, and Messiaen. Between 1990 and 1992 he gave a series of 30 Saturday recitals where large audiences heard him perform all of J.S. Bach's organ works, a feat that he repeated within the J.S. Bach-year 2000. His concert appearances have also brought him to the majority of European countries. He now lives in Oslo.
Kåre Nordstoga has made recordings for Simax, Norsk Kulturfond, Aurora, and Afontibus, which he has founded together with violinist Geir Inge Lotsberg. As a soloist his CD-recordings include two performances of French organ music by
C. Franck and Widor played on the Cavaillè-Coll organ at St. Etienne Cathedral in Caen and J.S. Bach's Trio Sonatas, performed on the new choir organ at Oslo Cathedral. Most recent release was the Toccatas by J.S. Bach performed at the Main organ of the Oslo Cathedral. He also co-operated with the folk singer Sinikka Langeland in her albums of old hymns in the Norwegian folk song tradition as compared with J.S. Bach’s organ chorale arrangements from the same sources. |
