− I was lucky enough to meet the “right” teacher already when I was twelve years old. It turned out that Per Melsæter was to become a very close friend and colleague − and he was even my predecessor in the position I have today in the Oslo Philharmonic. The inspiration he gave me made me determined in my choice of profession, and from the age of fourteen I had a clear goal: I wanted to become an orchestra musician.
Christian Michael Berg
Christian Michael Berg had his first meeting with drums and percussion in his school band when he was ten years old. One of his first teachers was greatly influential in his decision to become a musician:
− I was lucky enough to meet the “right” teacher already when I was twelve years old. It turned out that Per Melsæter was to become a very close friend and colleague − and he was even my predecessor in the position I have today in the Oslo Philharmonic. The inspiration he gave me made me determined in my choice of profession, and from the age of fourteen I had a clear goal: I wanted to become an orchestra musician.
He later had some significant impulses from Per Erik Thorsen, former principal percussionist in the Oslo Philharmonic and teacher at Norges Musikkhøgskole, as well as from American Leigh Howard Stevens, who in the course of several summer schools inspired Christian to specialise in the marimba, one of his most important instruments on the podium today.
− An orchestra of high quality and a strong work ethic
Christian was engaged by the Oslo Philharmonic in 1989, and has since performed as a soloist with the orchestra several times. His most memorable experience so far is the Oslo Philharmonic´s residency in Vienna, where there was a different concert programme every night.
− The things which give me the most pleasure in my work as a musician are the challenges of playing in an orchestra of such high quality and such a strong work ethic, the variety in playing percussion, the mutual support in the percussion group, and the fantastic concert experiences both at home and abroad.
As a listener, he is very fond of Mahler, but also of modern jazz and progressive rock. And thinks the audience will have the best concert experience when all their senses are open and they “let the clock stop ticking”. In addition to music, Christian is very interested in wine and food:
− I import wine from Italy under the business name Olfactus, and supply the Wine Monopoly and several restaurants. In addition, I find spending time in nature with my fishing rod wonderfully relaxing and extremely exciting!