Johannes Byrkjeland

Bio

Johannes Byrkjeland is a versatile performer and composer from Oslo. His sudden turn to the bassoon and classical music came after he heard Vårofferet for the first time as an 18-year-old. The fascination with the instrument (and frustration with keeping together a band to write songs for) gradually downgraded the rhythmic, guitar-based genres to only influences. He was able to study bassoon early on with Eirik Birkeland, which led to a performance study place in 2016, just over four years after his first bassoon lesson. Johannes completed his bachelor's degree between Stavanger and Bergen. In Stavanger, he quickly became an established, steady chamber musician and led several semi-professional wind quintets with SSO musicians on a permanent and project basis. In Bergen, he had access to good contrabassoons and supplementary advice from BFO's bassoon group led by Per Hannevold. He has since eagerly explored the virtuosic possibilities of the contraption. In a master's program, now entirely based in Bergen, Johannes studies under James Lassen. Apart from freelancing in the area, he teaches piano and writes chamber music. As a composer, he values ​​many inspirations and ensembles that he himself can play in. He has (and promotes) a strict ear teaching routine to inform his playing and further instruct the music.