Torstein Aagaard-Nilsen (b. 1964, Norway) is a composer, arranger, brass tutor, conductor and teacher.
Aagaard-Nilsen has gained an international reputation for his music for Brass- and Wind Bands and Ensembles. The contact with some of the best brass players in Europe has, among other works, resulted in several concertos for brass instruments.
However, his “Official List of Works” contains many chamber works and works for larger ensembles.
The broad spectre of musical activity, the versitality in his production and his interest in working with amateurs and young musicians, can be explained by the fact that Aagaard-Nilsen sees composition as a kind social activity. “The composers (and artists in general) play a an important role in the society as a guide to experiences”.
His contact with the contemporary music scene in Bergen resulted in commissions from the Norwegian section of ISCM, the BIT 20 Ensemble and festivals like Borealis (Bergen International Contemporary Music Festival) and the International Festival of Bergen (Festspillene).
From the work «The Fourth Angel» (for Trumpet and Sinfonietta), which he commenced in 1992 (finished in 2001), a line of development goes though the 90s, in which the form endeavours to express both a narrative and a visual aspect in an attempt to reach a music with an impulsive and communicative appearance.
From 1998 (Crossing Lines) the music tends to get more complex and multi-layered as you can explore in works like “Aubade” (2002/03), “Cantilena III” (2006), “Blue Phrases” (2007) and “The Season of Blue Lights” (2008/09.
He has been conducting brass- and wind bands since the 80´s. In 2009 he made his first contribution as an orchestral conductor, when he conducted an Opera gala in Svolvær, Lofoten.