“… I have said this before …” (2024) 22′

“… I have said this before …” is based on the piece “… but I must have said this before …” for trombone and ensemble, originally commissioned by Ensemble Ernst in 2010 with support from the Norwegian Composers Fund. The orchestral version is significantly expanded, featuring not only an enlarged instrumentation but also new material.

The piece explores the concept of repetition on multiple levels. Throughout, several shorter sections are repeated, there are recurring motifs, and the two outer movements begin in exactly the same way. Together, the soloist and the orchestra create a massive, oddly limping machine characterized by harsh rhythms and raspy sounds, yet this machine also has a sentimental side. In the first movement, the music oscillates between the machine-like and the sentimental elements. In the final movement, the music gradually gravitates toward the latter, culminating in a more emotional expression.

The piece was commissioned by Sverre Riise and premiered November 21 2024 by Riise and The Norwegian Radio Orchestra, conducted by Holly Hyun Chow.