Multi-international project commissioned by Global Oslo Music.

Evelina Petrova (Russia) – accordion, vocals, composition

Eirik Hoel Sandvik (Norway) – flutes

Mirsaeed Hosseiny Panah (Iran) – santur

Roberto Dani (Italy) – percussion

Jai Shankar – (India/Norway) tabla, percussion

Every country and culture has it’s own fairytales. For the work “Fairytales told by music”, Evelina Petrova has chosen fairytales from the musicians homelands whom she has engaged in her performances. The work is based on traditions in Eastern classical music and folk music in particular. Petrova’s fondness for Russian folklore and connection to this heritage; the songs, dances, rituals and adventures play a key role. In the work of writing music for the silent film «The Adventures of Prince Achmed», directed by Lotte Reiniger (1926) a few years back, Petrova first met Jai Shankar (tablas) who gave her the idea to write voices for specific musicians and which was to become the starting point for Fairy Tales told by music. The performers she has invited all have the ability to immerse themselves in various folk music traditions as well as delve into Eastern poetry and fairy tales, which are central elements in the work. In addition, she wanted to write for vocals and her own instrument, the accordion.