One of Norway’s most distinctive musical sounds meets one of Hollywood’s leading film composers as Sigmund Groven brings his signature harmonica sound to the original score of the upcoming Norwegian animated feature ViQueens.
This weekend, the score for ViQueens was recorded with a full symphony orchestra in Glasgow. Yesterday, the final musical piece was put in place as Sigmund Groven recorded his harmonica parts at Rainbow Studio in Oslo.
The original score was composed by acclaimed American composer Christophe Beck, known for films including Frozen, Frozen II and The Hangover. Beck is also a longtime admirer of Groven and wrote two pieces specifically with Groven’s harmonica in mind.
The result brings together two very different musical worlds: Beck’s expansive, symphonic film score and Groven’s unmistakably Norwegian harmonica voice.
From Heddal to Hollywood
Groven’s involvement in ViQueens also has a personal story behind it. Producer and screenwriter Veslemøy Ruud Zwart has known Groven through her family in Telemark for many years. Groven has been a friend of the family and has regularly been part of family gatherings in Heddal, where he has also performed for them over the years.
Director and screenwriter Harald Zwart and Veslemøy have long been admirers of Groven. Just a couple of weeks ago, they attended one of his concerts. After the concert, they asked if he would consider playing on ViQueens. He said yes.
– It actually felt very natural. Sigmund has been part of our family and our connection to Telemark for many years, and Harald and I have always been big fans of his. So when we were sitting there at the concert, we thought: We simply have to ask,” says Veslemøy Ruud Zwart.
A distinctly Norwegian sound
For several decades, Groven has been a central figure in Norwegian folk music and has contributed to numerous Norwegian film and music productions. His harmonica has become a distinctive and instantly recognizable part of Norway’s musical soundscape.
Now, that unmistakable voice takes a prominent place in the score for ViQueens.
The recording process began with a full symphony orchestra in Glasgow this weekend. Groven then recorded his harmonica parts at Rainbow Studio in Oslo.
– There is something quite special about hearing a full symphony orchestra perform the music, and then bringing Sigmund’s harmonica into the mix. It gives the score an identity all of its own, sier Harald Zwart.
A Norwegian Viking Adventure
ViQueens is Harald Zwart and Veslemøy Ruud Zwart’s first feature-length animated film. The story takes audiences back to the Viking kingdom of Lofotr, which has also been an important source of inspiration for the film’s visual style and narrative.
Princess Ingrid and her fearless best friend Hedvig embark on a wild journey to return a stowaway to the Emperor’s palace in China. Their journey opens up a much larger world – and reveals a disturbing truth: their parents are not the heroes they believed them to be, but feared raiders.
When the girls return home, they must confront their uncle Lars, who has seized power. Through ingenuity, invention and new alliances, they set out to reclaim their kingdom.
ViQueens is a warm-hearted, action-packed adventure about courage, friendship and the belief that every generation can create a new beginning.
The Norwegian voice cast includes Dagny, Isalill Kolpus, Kristoffer Hivju, Truls Svendsen, Snorre Monsson and Marit Andreassen. It was previously announced that Erling Braut Haaland also has a role in the film.
In the international version, Ella Purnell and Rita Ora voice Hedvig and Ingrid, respectively, while British comedian Alan Carr provides the voice of the film’s narrator.
Christophe Beck and Sigmund Groven
The collaboration between Beck and Groven reflects the film’s ambition to combine a distinctly Norwegian identity with an international production.
While the story and visual universe draw inspiration from Lofoten and Norwegian Viking history, the music comes from one of Hollywood’s most prominent film composers – with one of Norway’s most distinctive musical voices playing an important role in the soundscape.
From the Viking kingdom of Lofotr and Heddal to Glasgow and Hollywood, ViQueens brings Norwegian folk music and international film scoring together.
