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Almost Classic Cover

Release details:

Released by Lawo Classics,
February 9th 2024

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The new Poing Album “Almost Classic” out now

On the album Almost Classic, POING pays a visit to the classical repertoire: music of Mahler and Tchaikovsky is arranged by the musicians, or recomposed by the contemporary composers Olav Anton Thommessen and Eivind Buene. In Eivind Buene’s Mahler Mixtapes, Mahler’s songs are sung by the musicians in the trio, with their ordinary voices far from the classical ideal.

The Life of Poing

POING is Rolf-Erik Nystrøm on saxophones, Frode Haltli on accordion and Håkon Thelin on double bass. The trio started playing together in 1999, and has been one of the leading ensembles for contemporary music in Scandinavia since.

POING has been presenting contemporary music at unconventional venues, played in clubs and concert halls in most European countries, the US as well as touring in China and Japan. They have played more than 100 first performances and worked in close collaboration with composers such as Bent Sørensen, Terry Riley, Rolf Wallin, Michael Finnissy, Volker Heyn and Helmut Oehring.

The three musicians are each among the world’s top performers on their instruments, both as interpreters of notated music and improvisation. Their unique flexibility results in many untraditional commissions that go beyond the usual interpretation, interaction and dissemination of contemporary music. For their work with contemporary music, POING were in 2009 awarded «Performer of the Year» by the Norwegian Society of Composers.

In 2003 POING released their first CD Giants of Jazz on their own label The Legendary Royal Records, with works by Norwegian composers from their own generation. Planet POING was released on Jazzaway Records in 2006, and sur POING, with music specially written for them by Richard Barrett and Helmut Oehring and an improvisation with legendary drummer Paul Lovens, was released on Grappa Musikkforlag in 2016. POING share a longstanding collaboration with composer and singer Maja S. K. Ratkje. As part of their concert series Wach auf! and Kapital & Moral they have performed songs associated with the labor movement and socialism and collaborated with socialist choirs from around the world.

The trio regularly works with musicians from around the world – amongst them Swedish, Swiss, Nepali, Brazilian, American, Azerbaijani, Mongolian, Egyptian, Danish, Chinese, Japanese, Indian, Iranian, Mauritanian, Ivorian, Tanzanian, Irish, Faroese, French, Icelandic, Finnish, German, Peruvian, Brazilian, Baltic, Sami, Russian, Bulgarian and Spanish musicians – with roots in different musical styles: folk and traditional or popular music to more experimental expressions.In 2011, POING were artistic directors of the Ultima Festival in Oslo, Scandinavias largest festival for contemporary music.

Frode Haltli (Accordion), Håkon Thelin (Double Bass), Rolf-Erik Nystrøm (Saxophone)

The Musicians

POING was founded in 1999 by Frode Haltli (accordion), Håkon Thelin (double bass) and Rolf-Erik Nystrøm (saxophones).

For POING, the most important has always been to make a difference. Either by realizing a composer’s «impossible» dreams, surprise a blased audience by showing that contemporary music is entertaining, and that within entertainment and madness there might exist a strong political commitment and existential depth.

Frode Haltli, Accordion

Frode Haltli, a prodigy on the accordion since age seven, gained acclaim through national competitions and global performances. His debut album, «Looking on Darkness,» on ECM, revealed his virtuosity and influenced Scandinavian composers. With a repertoire ranging from contemporary classics to transcultural projects, he showcases versatility both as a performer and composer. Now residing in Svartskog, Norway, he focuses on freelance music and composition.

More about Frode Haltli

Frode Haltli

Hakon Thelin, Double Bass

Håkon Thelin, a leading figure in contemporary double bass performance, has pioneered new techniques and played with top ensembles worldwide. His solo albums, including «Light,» earned critical acclaim, with «Light» winning a Norwegian Grammy. In 2023, he founded Peninsula Audio Records, releasing his innovative compositions. Thelin’s influence extends to teaching at the Norwegian Academy of Music, where he imparts his expertise in double bass and contemporary music.

More about Hakon Thelin

Hakon Thelin

Rolf-Erik Nystrøm, Saxophon

Rolf-Erik Nystrøm, a prominent Norwegian saxophonist and composer in contemporary music, has performed globally and contributed to numerous recordings. His debut solo album, «Concepts of Sorrow & Dangers,» garnered critical acclaim, earning a nomination for the Spellemannprisen award. Nystrøm also composes for stage, documentaries, and chamber ensembles, and notably collaborated on the score for the 1911 film «L’Inferno» at the Tysvær horror film festival in 2013.

More about Rolf-Erik Nystrøm

Rolf Erik Nystrom

The Discography

You can find POING's music on Spotify, Soundcloud, and other streaming services.

Almost Classic

Almost Classic

Mahler / Thommessen / Buene

Release details:

Release Date: 09/02/2024

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Kapital und Moral

Kapital & Moral

Poing & Maja S. K. Ratkje

Release details:

Release Date: 29/04/2016

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Sur Poing

Poing

Release details:

Release Date: 11/03/2016

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Wach Auf!

Wach Auf!

Poing & Maja S.K. Ratkje

Release details:

Release Date: 29/04/2011

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Planet Poing

Planet Poing

Poing

Release details:

Release Date: 10/02/2006

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Poing - Giants of Jazz

Giants of Jazz

Poing

Release details:

Release Date: 18/08/2003

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The Repertoire

Music written for, premiered by and dedicated to POING

  • Skoglund, Lars
    (NO)
    Aftenrøde
    2019
    Vimeo
  • Sørlie, Stine
    (NO)
    In absentia
    2018
    11'
  • Hodkinson, Juliana
    (UK)
    Pass
    with various objects and lights
    2018
    30'
  • Mikalsen, Jan Erik
    (NO)
    Scènes
    with symphony orchestra
    2018
    25'
  • Bové, Jonas Ervolder
    (DK)
    Dødedans
    2018
    8'
    Spotify
  • Vinjar, Anders
    (NO)
    Balansefuge
    2017
    20'
    Vimeo
  • Kreuser, Timo
    ((DE))
    EIN REGIME
    3 voices, 4 instruments, video and electronics
    2017
    30'
  • Mikalsen, Jan Erik
    (NO)
    Saan
    with symphony orchestra
    2016
    30´
  • Sørensen, Bent
    (DK)
    De fire årstider (text: Tomas Espedal) with reciter and 4-channel tape
    2015-2016
    60'
    YouTube
  • Kreuser, Timo
    (DE)
    ARTIKULATION
    version for double quartet
    2015
    30'
  • Bauck, Martin Rane
    (NO)
    vela
    2014/2018
    8'
    Vimeo
  • Barrett, Natasha
    ((NO))
    A Collector's Chest
    Alto sax, soprano sax, bass, classical guitar, percussion, accordion, computer / live electronics
    2013
    26’
  • Berge, Raymond
    (NO)
    Reproduction of Beethovens 5th Symphony, 1.movement
    2013
    5'
    SoundCloud
  • Bartulis, Vidmantas
    (LT)
    I Like Souvenirs
    2012
    7’
  • Thommesen, Olav Anton
    (NO)
    Rapid Clouds
    For POING and string ensemble
    2011
    12'
    Spotify
  • Barrett, Richard
    (UK)
    Cell
    25’
    2011
    SoundCloud
  • Krunglevicius, Ignas
    (LT/NO)
    Possession
    with video, electronics
    2010
    15'
  • Newski, Sergei
    (RU)
    Channel Surfing
    with symphony orchestra
    2010
    15'
  • Vogt, Herman
    (NO)
    Escher Triptych
    2009/2012
    12'
  • Krunglevicius, Ignas
    (LT/NO)
    Death Tape
    2009
    20'
  • Ásgeirsson, Áki
    (IS)
    329
    with video
    2009
    8'
  • Hagerup, Bendik
    (NO)
    Stykke for POING nr. 2
    2009
    5'
  • Furu, Bodil
    (DK)
    POING on POING
    video
    2009
    10'
    Vimeo
  • Grande, Jono El
    (NO)
    A Really Nice Song
    2009
  • Mikalsen, Jan Erik
    (FI)
    Septett
    with string quartet
    2008
    16’
  • Lopez, Jimmy
    (FI)
    INCUBUS
    2008
    20’
  • Buene, Eivind
    (NO)
    Into the Void
    for POING, dr, symph band
    2008
    50'-60'
    Spotify
  • Rohloff, Steingrimur
    (ISL/DE/DK)
    Archetyp II
    2007
    9’
  • Ingólfsson, Atli
    (JP)
    Composition
    including the solopieces Radioflakes/2004, Cono di fede/2004, Brain Trill/2006
    2006
    40'
  • Oehring, Helmut
    (DE)
    Sur POING
    with 3 ghettoblasters & movie
    2006/2007
    60’
  • Feiler, Dror
    (S/ISR)
    No Flow
    with electronics
    2006
    25’
  • Finnissy, Michael
    (UK)
    Deja fait
    including the solo pieces Sepevi for double bass/1976, Stomp for accordion/1981, Runnin’ wild for sax/1978
    2006
    30'
  • Grande, Jono El
    (NO)
    Türbø Meuz Overture
    2006
  • Yamamoto, Hiroyuki
    (JP)
    Scherzo
    2005
    5'
  • Steen-Andersen, Simon
    (DK)
    Next to besides besides #2
    2005
    2'-10'
  • Hing-Yan, Chan
    (CN)
    When the Wind Returns
    For POING and Chinese Music Virtuosi
    2005
    15’
  • Ballangen, Åge
    ((NO))
    Ode til en lavstatus Elitestreber
    2005
    5’
  • Grande, Jono El
    (NO)
    Evas Horse Dance
    2005
  • Ratkje, Maja Solveig Kjelstrup
    (NO)
    Rondo-Bastard-Overture-Explosion
    2004
    18’
    Spotify
  • Lievonen, Ere
    (FI)
    Maa-lika
    Earth-Dirt
    2004
    14'
  • Lindborg, PerMagnus
    (SE)
    RGB-mix 3 - PUGNUS
    2004
    6’-8’
  • Hayden, Sam
    (UK)
    Emergence
    with sinfonietta and solo accordion
    2004
    23'
  • Fundal, Karsten
    (DK)
    Together apart/apart together
    2004
    6'
  • Grande, Jono El
    (NO)
    The Choco King
    2004
  • Yamamoto, Hiroyuki
    (JP)
    Fareflat
    2003
    5'
  • Wallin, Rolf
    (NO)
    Phonotope II
    With electronics
    2003
    25'
    Spotify
  • Tsurumi, Sachiyo
    (JP)
    SUSHIYA 009
    with vocal
    2003
    9'
    Spotify
  • Tsurumi, Sachiyo
    (JP)
    SEXTET
    with film, shamisen & vocals
    2003 - 2005
    20'
  • Ratkje, Maja Solveig Kjelstrup
    (NO)
    Passing Images, waltz
    2003-2006
  • Peters, Erik
    (SE)
    Infantile Omniscience version for POING
    version for POING, Feed and Erik Peters
    2003
    25'-35'
    SoundCloud
  • Kõrvits, Tõnu
    (EST)
    The Pipe tell it’s time to go
    with violin, violoncello and piano
    2003
    10'
  • Kozukara, Hideki
    (JP)
    LAPPIS
    2003
  • Hagen, Lars Petter
    (NO)
    Kronologi
    2003
    4'
    Spotify
  • Hagen, Lars Petter
    (NO)
    Concept of Sorrows & Dangers
    2003
    12'
  • Hagen, Lars Petter
    (NO)
    Concept of Sorrows & Dangers
    2003
    12'
  • Ásgeirsson, Áki
    (IS)
    435271
    2002
    8’-9’ or 13’-14’
    Spotify
  • Sunde, Helge
    (NO)
    Snøhesten
    with vocal
    2002
    8'
  • Torvund, Øyvind
    (NO)
    For he is quite allright (lyrics: Jon Flink)
    with vocal
    2002
    5'
  • Sandgren, Joakim
    (SE)
    Bruits en Norvege
    10’
    2002
    SoundCloud
  • Krunglevicius, Ignas
    (LT/NO)
    Movie/Entry level nr.4
    2002
    5'
  • Joner, Sverre Indris
    (NO)
    Tangere Humanum Est!
    with obo and piano
    2002
    13'
  • Oh, Seung-Ah
    (KOR)
    So-Ri III
    2002
    10’
  • Balke, Jon
    ((NO))
    arrangement of "If I Were A Bell"
    with vocal
    2002
    5’
  • Heyn, Volker
    (DE)
    Mythmaker
    2002
    8'
  • Aagaard-Nilsen, Torstein
    (NO)
    Juleparafrase nr.1 og 2
    with vocal
    2001
    9'
  • Sunde, Knut-Olaf
    (NO)
    "But Brother Ass, there is a whole dimension lacking to what you say. How is it possible to convey this in Oxford English?"
    2001
    10'
    SoundCloud
  • Hegdal, Magne
    ((NO))
    Mariasjoner og Paradis
    with vocal
    2001
    8'
  • Hagerup, Bendik
    (NO)
    Le Regard d’Orphee
    2001
    10'
    SoundCloud
  • Groven, Gunleik
    (NO)
    47.565
    part 2 also in version POING with sinfonietta
    2001
    10'
  • Wjech, Nora & Hagen, Lars-Petter
    (PL & NO)
    Lumière, espace et vertes
    2000
    3'
    SoundCloud
  • Bratlie, David
    (DK)
    Outbursts and embracements
    2000
    14’
  • Buene, Eivind
    (NO)
    Seven types of ambiguity
    2000
    12’
    SoundCloud
  • Groven, Gunleik
    (NO)
    Blod!Blod!
    music for theatre
    2000
    45'
  • Upper Rooms (Isak Andersen)
    (NO)
    soli.tux
    With CD
    1999
    12'
    SoundCloud
  • Tysland, Tage
    (NO)
    Variations
    1999
    12'
    SoundCloud
  • Stenvaag, Bjørn
    (NO)
    Bark II
    1999
    10'
    SoundCloud
  • Torvund, Øyvind
    (NO)
    Giants of Jazz
    For POING and string ensemble
    1999-2001
    13'
    SoundCloud
  • Ratkje, Maja Solveig Kjelstrup
    (NO)
    No Title Tango & Milonga
    1999
    9'
  • Ratkje, Maja Solveig Kjelstrup
    (NO)
    essential exstensions
    1999
    9'
    SoundCloud
  • Holmboe, Torolf A.
    (NO)
    Min versjon Selve Amicke og Bryllupsmarsj
    1999 - 2001
    6'
  • Holopainen, Risto
    (SE)
    Aufbau/Sediment
    1999 - 2000
    15'
  • Ikeda, Takmi
    (JP)
    WYSINWYCSWCS
    1999 - 2000
    15'
  • Paus, Marcus
    (NO)
    Trio
    1999
    10’
  • Flø, Asbjørn
    (NO)
    Fallet
    1999
    10’
  • Nordin, Jesper
    (SE)
    Kull
    1998/2000
    5’
  • Chernowin, Chaya
    (ISR/US)
    Die Kreuzung
    1995
    7'
  • Zimmermann, Walter
    (DE)
    20 Figurtanze
    1974/1979
  • Riley, Terry
    (US)
    Tread on the Trail
    1965/2005
    8-16’
    Vimeo
  • Gjertsen, Ruben Sverre
    (NO)
    New work
    20??
  • Skar, Julian
    (NO)
    Muldvarpen som ville vite hvem som hadde bæsjet på hodet hans
    with Actor
  • Holmen, Jexper
    (DK)
    Tension III: DISEMBARRASS
    with live electronics
    10'