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Håkon Magnar Skogstad (b.1989) is a prize-awarded pianist and composer holding degrees in classical performance from Oslo and New York as well as a PhD in Artistic Research from NTNU, Trondheim.
Skogstad has performed as a soloist and chamber musician in Norway, USA, Argentina, Germany, Spain, Austria and Sweden. He has also composed several large-scale works on commission. As a «tango pianist» he has since 2005 released several albums with several of the most recognized tango ensembles in Norway.
His solo debut album «Two Hands to Tango» (2018), recorded in New York, has received numerous outstanding international reviews. The sequel, «Visions of Tango» with Skogstad, Atle Sponberg and the Trondheim Soloists includes Skogstad’s original tango-inspired «Concerto for Piano and String Orchestra». The album was awarded a Norwegian Grammy for best classical album in 2021.
Skogstad is currently a recipient of a three-year Government Grant for Artists through Arts and Culture Norway
"Playing in the Manner of Ricardo Viñes" Ph.D. artistic dissertation and artistic results can be accessed here.
Photo By: Kristoffer Hylland Skogheim
REVIEWS
“…his playing is total precision and full of fiery emotion.”
(Dick Metcalf, Contemporary Fusion Reviews)
“Classically trained, with technique to spare, Skogstad succeeds mightily in the effort."
(Dan McClenaghan, allabaoutjazz.com)
“De este modo, Skogstad reformula el uso del piano en el género y le aporta una característica absolutamente personal, a la que le agrega una interpretación técnica precisa no exenta de sutiles momentos de improvisación.”
(Carlos Salatino, Tiempo Argentino)
«Fantastisch fetzig sind die Piazzolla- Interpretationen des Pianisten, höchst unterhaltsam sein Klavier- konzert, das die große Virtuosen- geste der Romantik augenzwinkernd mit bittersüßen Tangotönen mixt. Caramba!»
(Frederik Hanssen, Der Tagesspiegel, Berlin)
“Skogstad’s touch is rich and romantic […] a collection of tasty treats.”
(George W. Harris, jazzweekly.com)
«Concerto for Piano and String Orchestra is a virtuoso feast that pushes the genre of tango a little further into the contemporary."
(Magnus Andersson, Musikkritikk.no)
