Ola Kvernberg

The score for the film Flåklypa – Fra Paris til pyramidene by Ola Kvernberg (b. 1981) is an ambitious and fully realised work that unites orchestral film music, jazz, and genre-transcending expressions within a distinctly personal compositional style. Written for one of Norway’s most iconic cultural narratives and performed by, among others, the Trondheim Symphony Orchestra, the score represents an artistic reinterpretation of the Flåklypa universe – combining respect for tradition with an independent and innovative musical language. 

Drawing on the film’s narrative, Kvernberg creates a rich and coherent sonic universe in which characters, places, and moods emerge through clearly defined musical identities. The music functions not merely as accompaniment, but as a driving force within the dramaturgy itself, constructed through recurring leitmotifs that evolve and transform throughout the course of the film. The result is a musical narrative that encompasses energy, humour, and vulnerability, while adding depth to a well-known world. The score is marked by a broad sonic range and meticulously crafted orchestration, where symphonic textures meet rhythmic momentum and the vitality of improvisation. 

Despite the film’s digital aesthetic, the sound world remains acoustic and organic, centred on live instruments and musical craftsmanship. In the meeting between Kvernberg’s background in jazz and improvisation and the structure and precision of classical film scoring, an expression emerges that is vital, flexible and immediately communicative. 

The music for Fra Paris til pyramidene demonstrates how film music can function as an independent artistic work with its own identity and enduring value. Through its sonic inventiveness, dramaturgical strength and ability to renew a central part of Norwegian cultural heritage, the score stands out as a significant contribution to contemporary Norwegian music – a work that both honours tradition and carries it forwards.