Alexander Rybak was born in Minsk, Belarus, but he grew up in Norway. He started playing the violin and the guitar at the age of five and he also began singing and writing his own songs. He hit the stage soon and performed with famous artists like Morten Harket of a-ha (Eurovision Song Contest 1996 host), Hanne Krogh (Norway 1971, 1985, 1991) and Arve Tellefsen.
Having already taken part in Norwegian Pop Idol in 2005, Alexander took part in the second edition of the talent search Kjempesjansen, a Norwegian TV show that is looking for young talents in music and dance, in 2006. He could win this show with his own composition Foolin’. He later won the Anders Jahres award and became a conductor for Norway’s most famous orchestra of young musicians. In 2007, he starred as fiddler in the Jerry Bock/Sheldon Harnick musical Fiddler on the roof in Oslo.
In 2009, Alexander took part in MGP 2009, the Norwegian national final for the Eurovision Song Contest. He qualified from the semi final and could win the national final by a landslide. At that time, Fairytale was already the number one in the Norwegian charts and it was therefore the first MGP entry ever to top the charts before the final was held. To date, the single has sold to multiple platinum and after its victory in Moscow, it became a hit all over Europe.
This is his very special christmas album for 2012:
Ever since midsummer there has been a Christmas mood in a studio in Gjerdrum. Alexander Rybak has been working on his Christmas album, and the result is a warm, organic and humorous album.
The theme is American Christmas Carrols and Alexander has picked his absolute favorites, and added his own style to it. He has rearranged all of the songs and he plays all the strings.
Alexander has worked closely with the producer of his previous album Visa vid vindens ängar (2011), and Knut Bjørnar Asphol has contributed with a good ear for rich details and he has invited a fantastic vocal- and wind instrument orchestra which richly colors the album.
Having already taken part in Norwegian Pop Idol in 2005, Alexander took part in the second edition of the talent search Kjempesjansen, a Norwegian TV show that is looking for young talents in music and dance, in 2006. He could win this show with his own composition Foolin’. He later won the Anders Jahres award and became a conductor for Norway’s most famous orchestra of young musicians. In 2007, he starred as fiddler in the Jerry Bock/Sheldon Harnick musical Fiddler on the roof in Oslo.
In 2009, Alexander took part in MGP 2009, the Norwegian national final for the Eurovision Song Contest. He qualified from the semi final and could win the national final by a landslide. At that time, Fairytale was already the number one in the Norwegian charts and it was therefore the first MGP entry ever to top the charts before the final was held. To date, the single has sold to multiple platinum and after its victory in Moscow, it became a hit all over Europe.
This is his very special christmas album for 2012:
Ever since midsummer there has been a Christmas mood in a studio in Gjerdrum. Alexander Rybak has been working on his Christmas album, and the result is a warm, organic and humorous album.
The theme is American Christmas Carrols and Alexander has picked his absolute favorites, and added his own style to it. He has rearranged all of the songs and he plays all the strings.
Alexander has worked closely with the producer of his previous album Visa vid vindens ängar (2011), and Knut Bjørnar Asphol has contributed with a good ear for rich details and he has invited a fantastic vocal- and wind instrument orchestra which richly colors the album.
Personnel:
Annsofi Pettersen (vocals)
Alexander Rybak /vocals, violin)
Alexander Rybak /vocals, violin)
Ane Carmen Roggen (vocals)
Didrik Solli-Tangen (vocals)
Staffan William-Olsson (guitar)
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a bunch of unknown studio musicians conducted by Knut Bjørnar Asphol
Tracklist:
01. The Christmas Song (Tormé/Wells) 3.59
02. Winter Wonderland (Bernard/Smith) 3.38
03. Let It Snow (Styne/Cahn) 2.16
04. Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas (Blane/Martin) 3.47
05. Tell Me When (Rybak) 4.29
06. Santa Claus Is Coming To Town (Gillespie/Coots) 2.39
07. Baby It´s Cold Outside (Loesser) 2.58
08. Rudolph The Red-nosed Reindeer (Marks) 2.48
09. Presents (Rybak) 3.45
10. Silver Bells (Livingston/Evans) 3.29
11. I´ll Be Home For Christmas (Kent/Gannon/Ram) 4.52
12. Silent Night (Gruber/Mohr/Young) 4.11
+
a bunch of unknown studio musicians conducted by Knut Bjørnar Asphol
Tracklist:
01. The Christmas Song (Tormé/Wells) 3.59
02. Winter Wonderland (Bernard/Smith) 3.38
03. Let It Snow (Styne/Cahn) 2.16
04. Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas (Blane/Martin) 3.47
05. Tell Me When (Rybak) 4.29
06. Santa Claus Is Coming To Town (Gillespie/Coots) 2.39
07. Baby It´s Cold Outside (Loesser) 2.58
08. Rudolph The Red-nosed Reindeer (Marks) 2.48
09. Presents (Rybak) 3.45
10. Silver Bells (Livingston/Evans) 3.29
11. I´ll Be Home For Christmas (Kent/Gannon/Ram) 4.52
12. Silent Night (Gruber/Mohr/Young) 4.11