During the summer of 1970, Dutch pianist Frans Elsen (1934-2011) decided to vacation in Norway. Inspired by the desolate environment and the small towns that surrounded him, Elsen wrote and arranged a Norwegian cycle. Upon returning to the Netherlands, he played the music backed by a group more contemporary than his usual ensembles. In the early 1970s, the pianist fell in love with the Fender Rhodes electric piano and sought musicians who could rise to the distinct sound of the keyboard. [Photo above of Frans Elsen]
I recently posted about two studio sessions by Fran Elsen and his septet in 1972 and 1973 on an album called Norway. Only drummer Eric Ineke survives. Ineke now leads a septet called the Frank Elsen Factor comprised of well-known Dutch musicians who have been inspired by Elsen's pieces. Under the title Norway Revisited, the original arrangements were given fresh life in January at a concert in Beauforthuis Austerlitz, the Netherlands.
Here's the concert, featuring Tineke Postma (also saxohone), Rik Mol (flhn), Juraj Stanik (Fender Rhodes electric piano), Martijn van Iterson (guitar), Marius Beets (bass), Eric Ineke (drums) and Bart Fermie (percussion)...
