This page presents my Bio/CV in English and Norwegian.
Komponisten, organisten og symfonikeren.
About
Ruth Bakke was born in Bergen in 1947. She began her studies at Bergen Music Conservatory and the University of Oslo. After having passed her exams in organ and music theory, she left for the USA with a Fulbright Grant.
During the years 1968-1972 she studied at Converse College (S.C.), Texas Lutheran College (University), University of Redlands (CA), and Washington State University. After having received a Masters Degree, she spent one more year of studies in the US before she returned to Norway.
Since 1972 she has worked as an organist and choir director in Bergen. She has also taught music theory at Bergen Teacher’s Training College, Bergen Music Conservatory and the Grieg Academy.
She has composed a large amount of church and chamber music as well as working with multimedia and with symphony orchestra etc. Several of her works have been commissioned. Central works in her production are the bassoon concerto “Illuminations” and “Chromocumuli” (Color clouds) for symphony orchestra. Those titles reveal an important effect in her works: she regards color – and rhythm – as playing central parts in her compositions.
Important Is also «De Composition» (organ + video) where she – in parts (with the air pressure turned off) – makes the organ sound like you’ve never heard before. She has played like this in many other compositions, too, but this time there is a video as well.
She is also composing electronic music, such as “Dolorosa” for an art exhibition In St Petersburg and “Body & Soul” (with percussion & live electronics) for an art exhibition with Andres Serrano.
She is particularly interested in improvisation – an art she is practicing quite often in her duty as an organist as well as in concerts. She has held several concerts in the US, performing her own compositions together with local musicians, particularly in Texas, e g at Texas Lutheran University, in San Antonio and in other Texan cities, as well as in Seattle and New Orleans.
In the press
Get in touch
Ruth is available for collaborations and commissions worldwide. If you want to chat about compositions or performances don’t hesitate in reaching out.
post@ruthbakke.com
Bio/CV (på norsk)
Ruth Bakke ble født i Bergen i 1947. Etter div. studier/eksamener ved bl.a. Bergen Musikkonservatorium og Universitetet i Oslo dro hun i 1968 til USA med Fulbrightstipend. Der studerte hun bl.a. ved Texas Lutheran College (University), University of Redlands (CA), og Washington State University (MA degree). Hun studerte så et år til i USA før hun returnerte til Norge.
Siden 1972 har hun jobbet som organist og kordirigent i Bergen, hvor hun også har undervist på Lærerhøgskolen, Bergen Musikkonservatorium og Griegakademiet.
Hun har komponert mye kirke- og kammermusikk, såvel som arbeid med multimedia og symfoniorkester osv. (Hun spilte selv i flere orkestre i studietiden).
Sentrale verk er fagottkonserten «Illuminations» og orkesterverket «Chromocumuli» (Color Clouds).
Titlene viser at lys og (klang-)farger (i tillegg til rytmer) er viktige elementer i hennes verk. Sentralt er også video/orgelverket «De Composition».
Hun har også komponert en del elektronisk musikk, som «Dolorosa» for en kunstutstilling i St. Petersburg og «Body & Soul» (med perkusjon og live electronics) for en kunstutstilling med Andrés Serrano.
Hun er spesielt interessert i improvisasjon – en kunst hun ofte praktiserer i sin organist-tjeneste, såvel som på konserter. Hun har spilt mange konserter i USA, gjerne med framføring av egne verk i samarbeid med lokale musikere, særlig i Texas, bl.a. Texas Lutheran University, og i San Antonio og andre byer i Texas, så vel som i Seattle og New Orleans.
Ruth Bakke 