Meet the Musicians: Gabriel Boezi Gjerpe
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Live Klassisk3 min read|22. 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 DR Symfoniorkester 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 radio orchestra in Copenhagen.
What are you working on at the moment?
This week we have played Hindemith's Mathis der Maler symphony. A piece I did not know before, but which I liked very much. In addition I am preparing for next week's programme.
Most overrated composer or piece?
I find this difficult to answer.. I will think a bit further!
And at the other end... which music should everyone really get to experience?
I am very fond of Schubert's lieder. I recommend that everyone listens to Winterreise.
Your most recent great concert experience - what made it so special?
This autumn the violinist Augustin Hadelich was soloist in Prokofiev's Second Violin Concerto here at Danmarks Radio. He had a completely distinctive, calm presence on stage which, together with fantastic technique and tone, made it a truly special experience.
Which living composer inspires you most, and why
Daniel Schnyder is a composer who has written a lot of lovely music for bass trombone - concertos, solo pieces and chamber music. Since there is not all that much originally written for bass trombone, I think it is incredibly cool that such a skilled guy has chosen to write so much for precisely my instrument.
Can you remember a single event or experience that made you want to become a musician?
I remember very well a lesson when I was at lower 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 would have to start practising properly. I remember it as very motivating, and without a teacher like her there would never have been a career!
How did your journey towards becoming a musician begin?
We had a good brass band community 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 for the band. It was insanely cool and everyone wanted to join! Eventually Robert and Lise Solberg Nilsen took over the band, and the level became really good in addition to the lovely community. Alongside the music programme at Foss I began at Unge talenter 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? Has anyone been especially 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 greatest 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 do not go to concerts very often?
Do not be scared off if you get a little bored at the first concerts you go to, that is completely normal. Give it a few more chances and explore different venues, you will not regret it!
Any upcoming concerts you would like to recommend?
I recommend a trip to Copenhagen and the concert hall to hear Bruckner's Seventh Symphony on 1 or 3 March. If that is a little too far south, you can come to Vinterfestuka in Narvik and hear Nordisk Brassensemble in week 11.
Finally - who would you like to challenge to take over the baton?
Johannes Sciacco Schantz