Markus Eriksen

About Me image
Markus Eriksen is originally from Kråkstad near Oslo, but lived in Bergen from 2013 to 2021, where he did his Masters degree in performing arts as well as a music teacher studies. He currently lives in Longyearbyen on Svalbard where he works as a music teacher, conductor of two choirs and a big band, and since he is the only professional musician on Svalbard he often performs concerts and generally is concidered a big resource for the cultural scene.

In Februrary 2023 he set an unofficial world record for the worlds northernmost opera, by doing Mozarts Magic Flute, where he was the conductor, director and script writer. For this he brought together all of the local choirs and ensembles, some local youths, and together with professional singers they produced the first opera in Svalbard history.

He is a very versatile cellist who plays as a soloist, chamber musician, and in the bigger symphony orchestras. Markus plays everything from contemporary music to the more traditional repertoire, with a special interest for the earlier music. He plays baroque cello besides the classical cello, and through his masters studies he has become very recognised for his innovative research, recordings and interpretations of Beethovens cello sonatas, which you can read more about in the articles posted under "Interpreting Beethoven".

Markus is available to be booked as a soloist, playing chamber music or in orchestras, giving lessons and masterclasses, as a conductor or to give university lectures about his Beethoven project.
Interpreting Beethoven: Broken Metronome

Was Beethovens metronome broken? My thoughts about Beethoven and Mälzels Metronome

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Interpreting Beethoven: Metronome Myths and Facts

Beethovens Metronome Markings: Discussing the different theories, and how they stand up to Beethovens Letters.

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Interpreting Beethoven: Double Beat Theory

The Double Beat Theory: The Solution to Beethovens Metronome Markings?

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Interpreting Beethoven: Single vs Double Beat

The last article of Interpreting Beethoven discussing the metronome markings. Is the Single Beat or Double Beat theory right?

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Permanent Positions:
Conductor of Longyearbyen Mixed Choir and Womens Choir, from 2021-
Conductor of Longyearbyen Big Band, from 2021-
Classroom and instrumental teacher at Longyearbyen School of Culture, from 2021-
Instructor at Kråkstadkurset Orchestra course, from 2015 -
Cellist, Opera Bergen, 2016 - 2021
Principal Cellist, Bergen Chamber Orchestra, 2013 - 2020
Cellist, Bergen Philharmonic Youth Orchestra, 2015 - 2019
Artist, Bergen International Festival: 2013 - 2019
Cello-teacher and Orchestra Instructor, Bergen Culture School, 2017 - 2018
Principal Cellist, The University Symphony Orchestra, Bergen, 2014 - 2016
Conductor, Larmonien Wind Orchestra, 2013 - 2015
Principal Cellist, Juniorsymfonikerne Symphony Orchestra, 2006 - 2013

Concerts worth mentioning:
Conducting Mozarts Magic Flute, The Worlds Northernmost Opera - 2023
Soloist with USO Symphony Orchestra, Bergen - 2020
Tour with pianist Michael Cheung, Paris - 2020
Tour with pianist Michael Cheung, Barcelona - 2019
Concerts at Troldhaugen Grieg Museum, at the International Grieg Seminar - 2017-19
Soloist on Schumann Cello Concerto with Bergen Chamber Orchestra - 2018
Concerts and collaboration with Baku Academy of Music, Azerbajdan - 2017
Concerts with Bergen Baroque - 2016
Tour with guitarist Sondre Høymer, Norway - 2016
Soloist on tour with Bergen Youth Chamber Orchestra, Australia - 2016
Cellist on TV2's "Gullruten" with Shaun Bartlett - 2015
Tour with pianist Michael Cheung, Paris - 2014
Soloist on tour with Bergen Chamber Orchestra, Canada - 2014
Tour with Juniorsymfonikerne Symphony Orchestra, England - 2014
Tour with Toneheim Music School, Budapest - 2013
Cellist at Odd Nerdrums private exhibition, Paris - 2013
Tour with Barratt Due Institute of Music, Prague - 2011
Tour with Juniorsymfonikerne Symphony Orchestra, Prague- 2010
Tour with Alexander Rybak, Norway - 2009
Tour with Barratt Due Institute of Music, Prague - 2009
Tour with Juniorsymfonikerne Symphony Orchestra, England - 2008

World Premieres:
"Beethoven Eastern Time" dedicated to Markus Eriksen by Erik Håkon Halvorsen - 2019
"Nattspill" an opera of Heidi Tronsmo and Glenn Erik Haugland - 2018
"Cello Sonata no.1" dedicated to Markus Eriksen by Erik Håkon Halvorsen- 2016

Other:
Recording of "Nå er det oss", Amanda Delara - 2020
Recording of "Octopus Rex", Ketil Hvoslef - 2019
Recording of "Dialogue", Hanne Vatnøy - 2017
Cellist in «Utopia Diorama», a 360 VR-movie - 2016
Concerts and recordings with the band Manana Mango - 2015
Cellist in "Hjertestrenger" short film - 2015
Song writer, "Oah" by Aleksander Rybak - 2010