Composer-in-Residence Ørjan Matre
Ørjan Matre is the Bergen Philharmonic Orchestra’s composer-in-residence from 2025 to 2027. His tenure as composer-in-residence will span two seasons, giving both orchestra musicians and the audience ample opportunity to get to know his music.
In the upcoming concert season, we can look forward to the premieres of two works by Ørjan Matre—Still, what remains… for percussion and orchestra, and Attmed for Hardanger fiddle, violin, and orchestra—as well as performances of Lyric Pieces, Lament/Berceuse, and Attempted birdhouse 2.1.
Ørjan Matre (b. 1979) studied composition at the Norwegian Academy of Music under Bjørn Kruse, Lasse Thoresen, Olav Anton Thommessen, and Henrik Hellstenius. He previously served as composer-in-residence for both the Kristiansand Symphony Orchestra and the Oslo Philharmonic during the 2012–2013 season. Matre has established himself as a prominent voice in Norwegian contemporary music and has received commissions from leading performers, ensembles, and orchestras.
Ørjan belongs to a generation of Norwegian composers who embraced the large-scale orchestral format early in their careers. His music is characterized by intricate textures, bold instrumentation, and an exploration of the boundaries of timbre and form. His works have garnered widespread acclaim and have been performed repeatedly, both in Norway and internationally.
He has collaborated with the Bergen Philharmonic Orchestra on numerous occasions; indeed, the orchestra premiered his very first orchestral work.
“Ørjan Matre is a composer with a distinct contemporary voice. For us, this two-year collaboration is not just about a genuine desire to present more of his music to the public, but also about a curiosity regarding what such a ‘contemporary voice’ can actually be.
The Norwegian music scene faces certain structural challenges regarding the visibility and performance of new music; through this collaboration, we have given ourselves the time and space to explore the possibilities together with Ørjan,” says Sigurd Sverdrup Sandmo, Director of Musikkselskapet Harmonien.