Geir Bøhren & Bent-Erik Åserud NORWAY
HARPA nominated 2017 to the livetime award
The composer duo GEIR BØHREN AND BENT ÅSERUD is considered one of the greatest and most prolific film composer entities in Norwegian film history, especially in the 80s and 90s, when they seemingly did every big film and tv production in our country. Their theme from the 1985 cold war thriller ORION'S BELT is largely considered the most famous Norwegian film theme of all time. The two childhood friends first gained some fame with the progressive rock band Junipher Greene in the 60s and 70s. In the early 80s, Bøhren and Åserud turned their attention towards film music, getting their big breakthrough with ORION'S BELT in 1985. Since then, they've composed music for several famous film and tv titles across a varity of different genres, including NATTSEILERE (1986), ETTER RUBICON (1987), DYKKET (1989), FRIDA – MED HÅNDEN I HJERTET (1991), KVITEBJØRN KONG VALOMON (1991) and the Oscar-nominated SØNDAGSENGLER (1996) – ranging from large orchestral works to electronic soundscapes to music inspired by various folk music traditions. They are still active to this day, most recently the 2014 tv series ØYEVITNE.
It is the jury's opinion that Bøhren and Åserud deserve recognition for their immense contribution to Norwegian film and tv history, not only in the sense that they were seemingly "everywhere" in the 80s and 90s, but also in their great adaptability and versatility – tapping into international, contemporary trends while keeping their own unique voice, especially in a sense of melancholy and ethereal beauty that captures the Scandinavian sentiment. Never afraid to use a harmonic language that draws on Norwegian folk music traditions when needed, their output has become synonymous with a particular 'sound' and aesthetic that lie close to our national identity. Of the veteran film composers still active in their field, Bøhren and Åserud are rightfully considered masters of their craft. They are the Norwegian jury's nomination for this year's HARPA Honour award.
It is the jury's opinion that Bøhren and Åserud deserve recognition for their immense contribution to Norwegian film and tv history, not only in the sense that they were seemingly "everywhere" in the 80s and 90s, but also in their great adaptability and versatility – tapping into international, contemporary trends while keeping their own unique voice, especially in a sense of melancholy and ethereal beauty that captures the Scandinavian sentiment. Never afraid to use a harmonic language that draws on Norwegian folk music traditions when needed, their output has become synonymous with a particular 'sound' and aesthetic that lie close to our national identity. Of the veteran film composers still active in their field, Bøhren and Åserud are rightfully considered masters of their craft. They are the Norwegian jury's nomination for this year's HARPA Honour award.