Kjell Magne Andersen

Musician and composer Kjell Magne Andersen, was born in 1954. At the age of ten he began to play guitar and later he was presented with the clarinet. He received his musical education from Barratt Due’s Music Institute in Oslo, with clarinet as his primary instrument.

He studied clarinet with Professor Richard Kjeldstrup, at the Norwegian Academy of Music, and later with Monika Lund, solo clarinetist of the Norwegian Opera. This led to his debut concert at the Oslo Concert Hall in 1985.

His compositional skills were attained through several years of studies in theory and counterpoint with some of the most outstanding Norwegian composers, Maj Sønstervold, Trygve Madsen, and Wolfgang Plagge – among others.

Andersen has experience as a musician in many genres including the symphony orchestra, big band, folk, symphonic band, rock, and dance music; all of which have been an inspiration in his creative work. He also plays banjo in a traditional New Orleans jazz group.

Andersen has composed solo pieces for various orchestral instruments,choral music for both male and mixed choirs, songs for guitar, piano, string quartet, bassoon quartet, and a large landscaped works. He has also composed a Christmas Oratorio for choirs, soloists, narrator, and orchestra.

His compositions are characterized by their well crafted nature, both in form and composition. Andersen works today as a composer and music teacher. He also instructs in both clarinet and saxophone, in addition to teaching music theory.