The Hamar Concert is now out in the ether, and you can find it on your favorite streaming platform, or buy it directly from Naxos Music/NXN Recordings
I’m very happy that the release got crowned with a top rating and a beautiful review in Norway’s most popular newspaper, VG:
“Espen Berg receives a salary slip as a university lecturer at NTNU, but is also the newest and youngest [in Norway] to call himself a Steinway Artist. You understand why even better when you hear the improvisational work on this 2022 concert recording from Hamar Concert Hall. Here, the 40-year-old demonstrates dancing fingerplay that may be reminiscent of the melodic work of Iver Kleive and Tord Gustavsen. And combines that with something that more than hints of the bubbling instrument understanding and creativity of – yes, it must be allowed to say that – Keith Jarrett.” 6/6
And also a great review in Nettavisen:
“It is no trifle to be mentioned in the same breath as Jarrett, but the lyricist, playwright and musical poet Espen Berg actually moves towards the same cloud layer as the master. […] There is a dynamic and an impulsive train of thought in Berg’s melodic universe which makes him unique and which ensures that it is both good, inspiring and life-affirming to be there with him and his thoughts and music.” 5/6
ESPEN BERG 