Anja Lechner & Sissel Vera Pettersen Duo // Jazzfest 2026

Premiering new music by Jon Balke and Meredith Monk at K-U-K.

When two of Europe's most distinctive and innovative musicians meet, something unique is created. Cellist Anja Lechner and vocalist/saxophonist Sissel Vera Pettersen immediately found a rare musicalchemistry when they were invited to perform an improvised duo concert during the Trondheim Chamber Music Festival in 2024. Since then, the collaboration has grown into an artistic partnership characterized by deep trust, curiosity and a shared desire to explore the borderland between improvisation and contemporary music.

They will premiere brand new music by Jon Balke, one of the Norway’s most prominent composers and pianists, and selected works by Meredith Monk that have been adapted especially for the duo.

Anja Lechner had an international breakthrough with the Rosamunde Quartet in the 90s, and has since been a leading figure in contemporary and early music. She has collaborated closely with composers such as Arvo Pärt, Tigran Mansurian and Valentin Silvestrov, and regularly tours in Anouar Brahem's Quartet with Django Bates and Dave Holland. She is an outstanding improviser who has also collaborated with Nils Petter Molvær, Ketil Bjørnstad and Jakob Bro, and can be found on countless releases for the ECM record label, including her own solo album Bach Abel Hume from 2024.

Sissel Vera Pettersen is a multifaceted artist based in Trondheim, who is constantly expanding the range of what the voice and saxophone can be. With a striking voice control with live electronic processing, shehas created an unique sound. Sissel Vera tours extensively at major international jazz festivals and stages, and has participated in over 50 international album releases. She was the artistic director of the renownedTrondheim Voices for a number of years, and has collaborated closely with Marilyn Mazur, Lionel Loueke, John Hollenbeck, Django Bates and the Trondheim Jazz Orchestra with Chick Corea, to name a few.

Anja Lechner – cello
Sissel Vera Pettersen – vocals, live electronics

INFO
Sitting

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TILGJENGELIGHET
https://www.jazzfest.no/nb/arena/k-u-k