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Music and voices from Norway: the poetry of Olav H. Hauge

Bergen, Norway
Image by Victoria_rt from Pixabay
Bergen, Norway

This interview posted above is from SDPB's daily public-affairs show, In the Moment, hosted by Lori Walsh.

An upcoming performance at the Redlin Art Center will feature the work of Norwegian poet Olav H. Hauge. Hauge is one of Norway's most influential poets. He was also a horticulturist, working as a gardener in his own apple orchard. His connection to the natural world inspired his writing about the fauna and the changing of the seasons.

Katherine Hanson wrote her doctoral thesis on Hauge. She first connected with his work while studying Scandinavian literature as a graduate student at the University of Washington in Seattle.

"He was a very shy man, but also a very intense man, and very welcoming." says Hanson, "He was a very self-taught and well-read man who took influences from around the world and yet maintained his own distinctive voice from Hardanger."

Norwegian composer Inger-Kristine Riber, and vocalist Reidun Horvei have put Hauge's work to music. The program follows the seasons of the year. Horvei says listeners will hear stories from Hauge's life in poetry and hear recordings of the poet's voice connected to the compositions.

The musical performanceis scheduled for 2:00 p.m., October 22 at the Redlin Art Center in Watertown. Attendance is free.

Lori Walsh is the host and senior producer of In the Moment.
Carl Norquist is a producer and writer for In the Moment. An EMMY-winning producer, Carl previously worked for KTIV News 4 in Sioux City, IA. Carl is a Minnesota native and graduate of Augustana University with majors in Art and English.