From workshop to concert production
NordSync Lab – Østfold is an interdisciplinary workshop format developed as part of NordSync Forum – Østfold, where professional musicians from Norway, Sweden and Finland collaborate to develop new artistic productions.
The Lab functions as a practical platform where ideas are tested, refined and transformed into complete performances through intensive rehearsal processes, discussions and artistic exchange.
A central goal of the Lab is to explore how collaboration between professional artists and voluntary cultural organisations can lead to innovative formats, stronger audience engagement and sustainable artistic development.
The Lab process
During NordSync Forum – Østfold, the Lab took place as a full-day workshop session, bringing together international performers to work on a shared production.
The process included:
– Artistic development and rehearsal
– Interdisciplinary exploration
– Exchange of working methods and ideas
– Preparation for public performances
The Lab is closely integrated with concerts, seminars and networking activities, forming a complete cycle from idea to stage.
Production: Den manglende satsen
The central artistic result of NordSync Lab – Østfold was the production:
“Den manglende satsen” – Mahler’s piano quartet completed
The project is based on Gustav Mahler’s unfinished piano quartet in A minor, expanded into a full three-movement work:
– 1st movement: Gustav Mahler (1876)
– 2nd movement: Alfred Schnittke (1988)
– 3rd movement: August Næss Jørgensen (2025)
This creates a unique dialogue across time, combining historical material with contemporary composition.
Participants
Emma Alrikson – viola (Sweden)
Emma Alrikson holds a Master’s degree from the Royal College of Music in Stockholm and is an active concert musician in Sweden, performing both as a violinist and violist. She recently appeared as soloist in Beethoven’s Violin Concerto with the Växjö Symphony Orchestra. Emma plays a viola made by Sweden’s most renowned instrument maker, Peter Westerlund.
Viktor Pellia – piano (Finland)
Pianist Viktor Pellia has lived in Finland since 2011. He has won numerous prizes in international competitions and has performed as a soloist and chamber musician in Finland, Norway, France, Germany, and Russia. As a soloist, he has appeared with orchestras such as the Karelian State Philharmonic Symphony Orchestra, Kuopio City Orchestra, Oulu City Orchestra, and Savonlinna Camerata. In addition to an active concert career, he works as an accompanist and is currently affiliated with the Tampere Conservatory of Music.
Maria Serafin – cello (Norway)
Maria Serafin grew up in a musical family on Nesodden, Norway, and began playing the cello at the age of ten at Barratt Due Institute of Music. She studied with Hans Josef Groh before continuing her education in Austria, first in Salzburg with Prof. Heidi Litschauer, and later in Graz, where she completed both bachelor’s and master’s degrees in performance and chamber music at the University of Music and Performing Arts Graz.
Maria has been a principal cellist at the Theatre in Graz and performed with ensembles such as Grazer Kammerorchester, Con fuoco, Wiener Bachsolisten, and Grazer Philharmonisches Orchester. After ten years in Austria, she has returned to Norway and now works as a freelance musician and pedagogue in Eastern Norway.
Stepan Frolov- violin (Norway)
Stepan holds a master’s degree from the Norwegian Academy of Music, where he studied with Professor Elise Båtnes. He has participated in numerous festivals as both a soloist and chamber musician. Stepan has had the honor of performing on a violin over 300 years old, on loan from the Royal Swedish Academy of Music in Stockholm.
August Næss Jørgensen – composer (Norway)
August Næss Jørgensen is a musician and composer from Nesna on the Helgeland coast of Norway. He has worked extensively as a performing musician and, in recent years, as a composer for theatre and film/video. After completing his academic degree in music, he developed a strong interest in film music. His work is inspired by composers such as Ramin Djawadi, Hans Zimmer, and Ludwig Göransson, and is characterised by organic sound colours combined with electronic elements and minimalist melodic structures.
From Lab to stage
The Lab culminated in a series of public concerts in Østfold:
These performances demonstrated how the Lab format connects artistic development directly with audience presentation, making the creative process visible and relevant.
The final concert also included participation from young musicians, creating a connection between professional artists and the next generation.
A collaborative model
NordSync Lab – Østfold is built on collaboration between:
– Professional musicians
– Cultural organisations and orchestras
– Educators and mentors
– Young musicians and local communities
The Lab format supports knowledge exchange, artistic innovation and the development of new networks across borders and disciplines.
Part of NordSync Forum
NordSync Lab is an integral part of NordSync Forum – Østfold, contributing to:
– Development of new productions
– Strengthening Nordic collaboration
– Building bridges between amateur and professional fields
– Creating sustainable cultural structures
The Lab demonstrates how interdisciplinary work and collaboration can be realised in practice.
Towards future Labs
NordSync Lab – Østfold lays the foundation for future productions and collaborations. The format will continue to be developed as a core tool for:
– Creating new repertoire
– Strengthening international networks
– Engaging both professionals and young musicians
– Building long-term cultural cooperation in the region
NordSync Project 