Violinist, composer and improviser Inger Hannisdal is a genre-defying and versatile musician, who moves seamlessly between folk and traditional music, contemporary classical, avant-garde jazz and improvised music, while retaining her own distinctive sound . Her compositions focus on microtonality, both in melody and harmony, and through the use of extended techniques on the instrument. She performs frequently with her own ensemble, solo, and in various collaborations. She recently made her soloist debut with the Norwegian Chamber Orchestra performing her own commissioned work. Her music draws inspiration from Norwegian folk music and from violin traditions across the world, as well as from Arabic maqam, which she studied at Université Antonine in Lebanon. She also performs Arabic and Persian music in various groups and projects.
Inger is the recipient of the Hans Christian Ostrø memorial price in 2023, and of a Spellemannspris / Norwegian Grammy for composition in 2023 for «North South East West». She plays a 1862 violin by Justin Derazey and a 2024 bow by Stephane Thomachot.
«In general there is something refreshing to Hannisdal’s project, and her musically multi-lingual approach. It feels full of curiosity, independence and engaged immersion, originating just as much from lived experience, encounters and presence, as from institutions and establishments. This makes her artistry something of her own, which hopefully will mark the scene for a long time to come.» - Morgenbladet, 2023
«This is Wicker Man stuff, conveying menace and mystery» - Songlines Magazine, 2022
photo: Nabeeh Semaan
Solo - Caféteateret, Oslo, april 2023
Inger Hannisdal Ensemble live at Oslo World, november 2022
Khalid Laaouam - saxophone // Frode Haltli: accordion // Michaela Antalová: drums // Adrian Myhr: double bass // Inger Hannisdal: violin