Sigmund Groven

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Sigmund Groven is one of the world's leading classical harmonica players. He plays with a large number of the world's leading musicians and orchestras, and he has made about 20 recordings yet. His repertoire ranges from popular and folk music to his own compositions, from Bach to contemporary music.

The latest additions to his discography are two recordings with the Norwegian Radio Orchestra. The first is an album featuring works for harmonica and orchestra by Sir George Martin, as well as his arrangements of Lennon/McCartney songs and other shorter pieces. The second isis followed by PhilHarmonica, a CD of serious original works by Darius Milhaud, Heitor Villa-Lobos and Scandinavian contemporary composers.

In 2002 Groven became the first harmonica player to appear as soloist with the the Mozarteum Orchestra in Salzburg, giving the world premiere of Siegfried Steinkogler’s Harmonica Concerto.

Composers who have dedicated works to Groven include Oddvar S. Kvam, Johan Kvandal, James Moody, Terje Rypdal, Øistein Sommerfeldt, Siegfried Steinkogler, John Surman, Lars Tilling, and Fried Walter.

He grew up in Telemark, Norway, in a family with lots of different musicians. At age 14, he started to have lessons with Tommy Reilly.

Sigmund plays a custom-made Polle silver concert harmonica.