Grieg’s piano

in the heart of the city

For the Festival’s 75th anniversary, the sound of Grieg’s piano will become part of two new works by Koka Nikoladze. 

The sound artist has spent several days working in silence inside Grieg’s villa at Troldhaugen, part of Kode’s museums. There, he has recorded the sound of all 88 keys of Grieg’s Steinway grand piano using several microphones, including ones positioned to capture the perspective of a pianist seated at the instrument, where Grieg himself spent countless hours.

Everything produces sound  

‘This is a binaural head. It captures sound as humans hear it,’ says Nikoladze, demonstrating his method inside the villa. Microphones and cables cover the piano that Nina and Edvard received as a gift for their silver wedding anniversary in 1892. 

He has recorded each individual note at least 15 times, allowing the sound to ring all the way to the end. 

‘It sounds simple, but it's a nightmare of a job to sit there. Only then you realize that nothing is still. Everything produces sound,’ says Nikoladze. 

Rain and birdsong delayed the process, but after several nights of recording, the sound artist had completed his work. 

‘I actually do not want to make it sterile in any way. I want all that machinery to live in the recording and be there in a non-intrusive way. To make sure that it's imperfect in a perfect way,’ says Nikoladze.

An innovative artist and composer  

Koka Nikoladze was born in Georgia and is based in Norway. He has studied classical violin, composition, and music technology. 

Nikoladze’s artistic practice spans a wide range of disciplines. He builds and designs electromechanical artworks, composes music and creates experimental audiovisual works. His intricate instruments are part of renowned art collections in Europe and have attracted considerable international attention, with coverage ranging from Discovery Channel and ARTE to MTV, VICE and WIRED.

Grieg, but in a new way  

Concerts in the Griegs’ living room at Troldhaugen have long been a cherished tradition at the Bergen International Festival. 

For the jubilee, Festival Director Lars Petter Hagen wanted the historic piano strings to resonate further into the city. 

‘The sound of the piano and Grieg’s music hold a very special place in the Festival’s history. Just think of the iconic opening of the Piano Concerto in A minor, or Klokkeklang, which was the Festival’s signature work for many years. Troldhaugen and Grieg’s own grand piano are an invaluable part of our cultural heritage,’ says Hagen.

Grieg’s piano had to remain at Troldhaugen, but the new recordings make it possible to share this part of Western Norway's cultural heritage with the world. 

‘The connection between music and place remains an important part of the Festival’s identity. Grieg’s grand piano is an old and fragile instrument, but fortunately its unique sound has now been preserved through sampling. With the help of new technology and Koka Nikoladze’s artistic vision, the instrument is given a whole new life, while its original sound is preserved for future generations. This is exactly how we want to safeguard Grieg’s legacy: by preserving its history while allowing it to inspire new artworks and experiences for audiences,’ says Hagen.

The sound moves into the city 

An important part of Western Norway’s cultural heritage will become two new sound artworks in 2027.  

Public spaces in the city centre will be filled with sound, with both the audience and the city becoming part of the work. During the Festival, everyone will have the opportunity to experience the sound of Grieg’s grand piano in a new way, completely free of charge and open to all. 

More information about the installations will be announced during the spring of 2027.

Read more about Koka Nikoladze at koka.one.

Photos and video: Bård Gundersen