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Håkon Magnar Skogstad (b. 1989) is a Norwegian award-winning pianist and composer. He holds degrees in classical performance from the Norwegian Academy of Music in Oslo and the Manhattan School of Music in New York, as well as a PhD in Artistic Research from the Norwegian University of Science and Technology in Trondheim.
He has performed both as a soloist and in ensembles throughout Norway, and has given concerts in the United States, Argentina, Germany, Austria, Spain, and Sweden. In addition to his performing career, he has composed several large-scale commissioned works that have been performed by leading orchestras in Norway.
Between 2008 and 2024, Skogstad released six recordings inspired by Argentine tango, both as a soloist and in collaboration with various ensembles, including his «tango trilogy», where the aim was to establish a distinctive performance style and musical language—rooted in Argentine tango, yet expanded and fused with other musical traditions—in the spirit of Astor Piazzolla’s «nuevo tango". These albums have received widespread international critical acclaim, as well as numerous awards and distinctions. The second album of the trilogy, Visions of Tango, featuring violinist Atle Sponberg and the Trondheim Soloists, includes Skogstad’s Concerto for Piano and String Orchestra and was awarded the Norwegian Grammy Award for Best Classical Album in 2021.
"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)
