Meet the musicians: Gabriel Boezi Gjerpe
interview
L
Live Klassisk22. January 2024
Welcome to our interview relay with musicians from the classical music scene! Today we have the pleasure of presenting Gabriel Boezi Gjerpe, who was nominated by Jesper Kramer-Johansen in the previous round. He is a trombonist and currently works in the DR Symphony Orchestra in Copenhagen. Here he shares his thoughts on classical music and recommends upcoming concerts for both new and experienced concertgoers!
Name, instrument and profession (or place of work or study)
My name is Gabriel Boezi Gjerpe and I play bass trombone in the Copenhagen Radio Orchestra.
What are you doing at the moment?
This week we've been playing Hindemith's Mathis der Maler symphony. It's a piece I didn't know before, but I really liked it. I'm also preparing for next week's program.
Most overrated composer or piece?
I find this difficult to answer. I'll have to think about it!
And at the opposite end... what music should everyone really get to experience?
I am very fond of Schubert's lieder. I recommend everyone to listen to Winterreise.
Your last big concert experience - what made it so special?
Last fall, violinist Augustin Hadelich was the soloist in Prokofiev's second violin concerto here at Danmarks Radio. He had a very special, calm presence on stage which, together with fantastic technique and sound, made it a very special experience.
Which living composer inspires you the most and why?
Daniel Schnyder is a composer who has written a lot of great music for bass trombone - concertos, solo pieces and chamber music. Since there isn't much original music written for the bass trombone, I think it's incredibly cool that such a great guy has chosen to write so much for my instrument.
Can you remember a single event or experience that made you want to become a musician?
I remember very well a playing lesson when I was in secondary school. Lise, who was my teacher, had a serious talk with me and said that I had the potential to become a musician, but that in that case I had to start practicing properly. I remember it as very motivating, and without a teacher like her, it would never have been a career!
How did your journey towards becoming a musician start?
We had a good band environment at Steinern in Oslo. There was a group of slightly older boys who went from classroom to classroom playing Soul Bossa Nova for brass quintet to recruit to the band. It was really cool and everyone wanted to join! Eventually, Robert and Lise Solberg Nilsen took over the band, and it became a really good level in addition to the great environment. Alongside the music school at Foss, I started at Young Talents at Barratt Due, and it was Sverre Riise who really prepared me for my studies and a professional career.
Do you have any role models? Is there anyone who has been particularly motivating or inspiring for you?
I have many role models, but the first one I think of is Jakob Florea Nøstvik. He was a few years older than me in the school band and was my biggest role model in all the years we played together there.
Do you have any advice for "new listeners" who are curious about classical music and don't go to concerts very often?
Don't be scared off if you get a bit bored at the first few concerts you go to, that's perfectly normal. Give it a few more chances and explore different venues, you won't regret it!
Any upcoming concerts you would recommend?
I recommend a trip to Copenhagen and the concert hall to hear Bruckner's Seventh Symphony on March 1 or 3. If that's a bit too far south, you can come to Vinterfestuka in Narvik and hear the Nordic Brass Ensemble in week 11.
Finally, who would you challenge to take over the baton?
Johannes Sciacco Schantz