These are Maja's main pages. You may choose from the main menu above. The "selected"-archives show personal priorities of recordings, works etc. The complete lists show the full production.




To the right is a column for news.




Below is the selected list of recordings with some useful links.

selected recordings
River Mouth Echoes
	by Maja S. K. Ratkje (2008) released on Tzadik Tzadik: "Maja Ratkje is a remarkable vocalist and composer based in Norway. Her work ranges from orchestral and chamber works to electronics, improvisation and creative combinations of all of the above. This special collection of Maja’s work showcases several aspects of this composer’s unique and intense approach to sound and features two of her most personal chamber works along with electronic and electro-acoustic works for voice, saxophone and more." Performed by POING, Oslo Sinfonietta, Fretwork, Rolf-Erik Nystrøm, Torben Snekkestad and Maja S. K. Ratkje. visit record/group web site
purchase	buy online from Tzadik | purchase online
read more	Wintergarden (2005)
read more	ØX (2005)
read more	River Mouth Echoes (2001)
read more	essential extensions (1999)
read more	Waves IIb (1997 – 1998)
read more	Sinus Seduction (moods two) (1997)
Travel Now Journey Infinitely
	by Trinacria (2008) released on Indie Recordings "Trinacria was originally a composition by Ivar Bjørnson (Enslaved), Maja S. K. Ratkje and Hils Sofie Tafjord (both from Fe-mail), commissioned by Rikskonsertene for a concert series. The line-up was completed by Grutle Kjellson, Ice Dale (both from Enslaved), Iver Sandøy (Emmerhoff) and Espen Lien. In short: after working together briefly, the composition turned into a vital project which, after touring, became a fully welded band." visit record/group web site
purchase	contact your local metal store! | purchase online
read more	Travel Now Journey Infinitely (2007 – 2008)
Passing Images
	by Frode Haltli (2007) released on ECM "Frode Haltli is acknowledged as one of the most outstanding accordion soloists in contemporary music and is also an exceptional improviser and an authority on folk music. 'Passing Images' looks at traditional music, but in a very fresh and non-traditional way, through the knowledge acquired over the years and bringing together a unique cast of musicians. Repertoire includes a psalm from the western fjords, a lyrical waltz from Haltli's home village near the Swedish border, a Roma traveller tune that suggests Albert Ayler's sound-world and much more. A kaleidoscopic view of traditional music, continually recast by four highly-gifted musicians. Personnel: Frode Haltli - accordion, Arve Henriksen - trumpet, Garth Knox - viola, Maja Solveig Kjelstrup Ratkje - voice" visit record/group web site
purchase	contact amazon.co.uk | purchase online
read more	passing images (2003)
teip
	by maja s. k. ratkje (2007) released on Ambolthue Records This is the content of Maja's analogue dictaphone that's been with her on concerts, around the world and with her in the studio for the last years. "Here you'll find short extracts from various concerts, solo performances and recording sessions. You'll hear SPUNK in studio, noise concerts, joking around, rehearsals with POING, material from the dance performance Adventura Anatomica, fieldrecordings from various places and things. Randomly recorded in two different speeds and chronologically copied from the original micro cassette for this release. Some records where this tape was used are: Adventura Anatomica, Blixter Toad, Stalker, Northern Stains, En Aldeles Forferdelig Sykdom, Post-Human Identities, Erwarung, Ventemesteren and probably some more (good luck finding them!)." Limited in 80 copies, 3CDR. visit record/group web site
purchase	contact Ambolthue Records | purchase online
read more	teip (2007)
Adventura Anatomica
	by maja ratkje (2006) released on semishigure The complete music for the dance performance with the same title, performed by the composer. Semishigure: "With the help of modern electronica and the most agile vocal cords of the western world Ratkje manages to create her own magical domain. In that sense, she is consciously following in the footsteps of such female vocal pioneers as Meredith Monk, Diamanda Galas and Laurie Anderson, constantly searching for cross-fertilisation between voice improvisation, musical drama and technological innovation."
purchase	contact label for pre-order information | purchase online
read more	Adventura Anatomica (2005)
blixter toad
	by fe-mail (2006) released on asphodel "Fe-mail, MAJA RATKJE and HILD SOFIE TAFJORD, have crafted a site-specific survey of the chaparrals of noise music. As half of the Scandinavian female improv quartet, SPUNK, they began to adapt their mediums of french horn and voice to multiple formats for musical arrangements. In working for film, installation, studio, and performance they began to evolve their musical process to a compulsive physical act, opposing their standards. Exposure to distorted live sampling and field recordings allowed MAJA and HILD to grab the limit and make it their instrument. Through synched communication and developed improvisation, their project further evolved into their newest release for Asphodel, Blixter Toad. This two disc set is best described as the taxonomic designation of feminine conviction through gadgetry and acoustic archaeology. Two embryonic visual studies (videos) by MASAKO TANAKA are included, featuring shot surveillance from the live sessions for the recording of Blixter Toad. The chromatic genus of the species call is best known by its vocal sac that blows up like a balloon and bellows "scheweeeeeeeee" riffs. Their cut up crescendos of piercing frequencies appear like rattle snakes you find under the rocks, as you search for a jewel-encrusted music box, unsure if they'll poison you or cure you. A voice screams like an effected guitar in the distance, reminding you to come home from the thicket before the animals become more aggressive. Blixter Toad's final track coalesces into the Sunday morning dew collecting on the surface of FE-MAIL'S electro-acoustic lily-pads." visit record/group web site
purchase	contact asphodel | purchase online
read more	blixter toad (2004 – 2005)
stalker
	by maja ratkje (2006) released on important records a picture vinyl, limited to 500 copies. voice, noise and a story about a drowned girl. visit record/group web site
purchase	contact important records | purchase online
read more	stalker (2005)
ballads
	by john hegre & maja ratkje (2006) released on dekorder A quiet album by John Hegre and Maja Ratkje. Concréte. Close up. Blues etc.
purchase	contact dekorder | purchase online
read more	ballads (2004 – 2005)
Voluptuous Vultures (cd)
	by Fe-mail (2006) released on PsychForm Records PsychForm: "The new release on PsychForm Records is a rolling thunder of mayhem that combines all of these elements with the spazmaticly beautiful vocal stylings of Maja Ratkje. The 1st track, «Valkyrie Procession» sneaks up on you with a heartbeat like drone of noise that progresses into what seems to be an electronic orchestra tuning up for the blitzkrieg ahead. Soon, Maja bursts onto the field with a verbal assault and the madness overwhelms. The 2nd attack, «Artbeak», begins with a glitch approach that is backed again by the thunderous heartbeat. Lightning bolts of Maja’s voice are thrown together with a power electronics smorgasbord that will leave your pets hiding in a dark corner of the bathroom. When the storm settles, the girls delicate whispers gently sooth you back to reality. The 3rd track, «Dunlin Dance», is a wild and nutty romp through an insane circus of electronic blips and beeps that leaves the listener feeling a bit whimsical yet refreshed. An the final track, Voluptuous Vultures–well it ties the whole shebang together with exactly that–SHEBANG!" visit record/group web site
purchase	For order info contact psychform (at) hotmail (dot) com.
read more	Voluptuous Vultures (2002 – 2004)
illegal parking
	by maja ratkje & lotta melin (2006) released on kning disk Improvised duets and solos, all just with theremin and a crappy microphone. visit record/group web site
purchase	contact kning disk | purchase online
read more	illegal parking (2006)
Northern Stains
	by fe-mail & carlos giffoni (2006) released on important records important records: "Northern Stains is the result of a collaboration between experimental phenomenon Carlos Giffoni and Spunk/Fe-Mail members Maja Ratkje & Hild Tafjord. This trio finally met when Giffoni booked Fe-Mail to headline the sunday night of his genere defining Brooklyn based 3 day No Fun Festival in 2005. Early in 2006 Giffoni boarded a flight to Norway and Northern Stains was born in Spunk's Oslo studio. Individualy and together, Carlos Giffoni and Fe-Mail make records that are rich, detailed, dense and complex, constantly straddling the line between improvised noise and modern composition. It's this attention to detail and warmth that make Fe-Mail & Carlos Giffoni such celebrated artists and kindred collaborators. Northern Stains is often absurd combination of live sounds, feedback, hilarious sampling with a genuine sentimental touch, which nods towards both the northern glaciers and the beauty and brutality of nature. Tomorrow's music today. The album was recorded live in SPUNK studio in Oslo." visit record/group web site
purchase	contact important records | purchase online
read more	northern stains (2006)
Planet POING
	by POING (2006) released on jazzaway records POING started playing together in 1999, and has since then been one of the most interesting ensembles for contemporary music in Scandinavia, with more then 40 first performances by European and Asian composers. This cd contains new music by Maja Solveig Kjelstrup Ratkje, Sachiyo Tsurumi, Lars Petter Hagen, Áki Ásgeirsson and Jezper Holmen. visit record/group web site
purchase	contact musiconline.no | purchase online
read more	Rondo - Bastard - Overture - Explosion (2004)
read more	No Title Tango and Milonga (2003)
en aldeles forferdelig sykdom
	by SPUNK (2005) released on rune grammofon rune grammofon: "Their third studio album marks the 10th anniversary of this all female quartet. Free collective improvising is one of the most demanding ways of making music: the pitfalls are many – self-absorption, incoherence, certain standardized «gestures» of free jazz, lack of dynamics, humourlessness – but SPUNK are alert to the dangers. Bold, sometimes witty, always alert, they make engaging music, and keep the sound of surprise alive. They have no fear of bringing the music to the brink of anarchy - they are interested in extremes as well as subtleties - but their instincts as composers-in-action also serve them well. «En Aldeles Forferdelig Sykdom» («An Absolutely Terrible Disease») is produced by Jørgen Træen (Sir Dupermann, Magnet, Jaga Jazzist). SPUNK is Maja Ratkje, Hild Sofie Tafjord, Kristin Andersen and Lene Grenager." visit record/group web site
purchase	contact rune grammofon | purchase online
read more	en aldeles forferdelig sykdom (2005)
post-human identities
	by maja ratkje and jaap blonk (2005) released on Kontrans Maja Ratkje and Jaap Blonk have been performing and recording together since 2001. Their first release was a cd of acoustic voice duets (MAJAAP, also released on Kontrans). Here they go electronic with their voices still as their primary sound source. visit record/group web site
purchase	order from ToonDist | purchase online
read more	post-human identities (2004)
Wintergarden
	by daria martin and others (2005) released on film and video umbrella This is a film by Californian film maker Daria Martin. It is shot at the beautiful De La Warr Pavilion in Bexhill, England. "Loosely structured around the compelling myth of Persephone's abduction by Hades into the Underworld, Daria Martin has created a stylised, and visually stunning performance in this, her most ambitious film to date." The music for the film is performed (in the movie as well) and composed by Maja S. K. Ratkje. visit record/group web site
purchase	contact film and video umbrella | purchase online
MAJAAP
	by maja ratkje and jaap blonk (2004) released on Kontrans Acoustic vocal improvisation, recorded in Amsterdam, Oslo and Arnhem 2001-2002. visit record/group web site
purchase	order from ToonDist | purchase online
read more	MAJAAP (2001 – 2002)
music for faking
	by maja s.k. ratkje & lasse marhaug (2004) released on C3R Third release in the series 'music for...' Featured on a fresh and nasty, new Canadian label. More hysterical than ever! visit record/group web site
purchase	contact C3R | purchase online
read more	music for faking (2004)
music for loving
	by maja s.k. ratkje & lasse marhaug (2004) released on bottrop-boy "Second collaboration between Norwegian masters of noise Maja Ratkje (Spunk, Fe-Mail) and Lasse Marhaug (Jazzkammer, Del) after their 2002 vinyl-only album Music For Shopping on Synesthetic Records. Music For Loving is wild, frantic, nervous, loud, delirious and scattered all over the place. The perfect music to listen to with your loved one." visit record/group web site
purchase	Bottrop-Boy releases are distributed by: A-Musik (Germany), Forced Exposure (USA), Staalplaat (Benelux), Metamkine (France), Digital Narcis (Japan), Synaesthesia (Australia) and others... | purchase online
read more	music for loving (2003)
Nor Noise
	by various (2004) released on [ohm] Records / Pastiche Films CD and DVD double pack. Nor Noise is a documentary about Noise music – perhaps the most exiting and innovative form of music to evolve in the last years. The film maker Tom Hovinbøle has since the project started in 2001, interviewed some of the most central artists, both internationally and in Norway. The artists speaks about their relationship to tis music: What is it? Where does it come from? How do you work with pure sounds? Which possibilitys opens up with the new sound processing oportunities? Noise is also put into an historical context spanning from the Futurists and Luigi Russolo befor the First World War, through the first experiments with electronical music in the fifthies, the avang-gard in the sixties, the Industy and Punk movements in the seventies, before Noise establishes it self as a music in its own right in Japan during the seventies. The film also contains a lot of rare concert footage with the artists: Tore H. Bøe, David Cotner, Masami Akita, Lasse Marhaug, Tashimaru Nakamura, Arm, Asbjørn Flø, Maja S. K. Ratkje, Kjell Runar Jensen, Francisco López, Helge Sten and Otomo Yoshihide. The CD is a compilation of all new material by Norwegian artists Duo Kanel, Domestic Purpose, Jazzkammer, Ryfylke, Fe-mail, Tore Honoré Bøe, Crazy River, Kobi, Anders Gjerde, O.Melby, The Golden Serenades and Norwegian Noise Orchestra.
read more	Englesang (2002)
Syklubb fra Hælvete (cd)
	by fe-mail (2004) released on important records DustedMagazine.com: "Last year, a pink piece of vinyl sent a message to the noise community. In a limited edition of 500, it made a ripple, but quickly sold out before more had a chance to hear it. This year, Fe-mail’s debut record arrives again – on CD this time and with two additional tracks – as sexy, mischievous and terrifying as it was the first time." visit record/group web site
purchase	order from important records | purchase online
read more	Syklubb fra Hælvete (2002 – 2004)
Giants of Jazz
	by POING (2003) released on the legendary Royal Records POING is Rolf-Erik Nystrøm on saxophones, Frode Haltli on accordion and Håkon Thelin on double bass. This is the debut album of the charming and virtuoso trio often described as the 'enfant terribles' of Norwegian music. POING works with composers from all over the world, but "Giants of Jazz " features Norwegian composers at their own age, all in their twenties; Maja Solveig Kjelstrup Ratkje, Øyvind Torvund, Eivind Buene and Knut Olaf Sunde. The CD also includes a video with music by the Polish composer Nora Wjeck. visit record/group web site
purchase	buy from Zailor or contact POING | purchase online
music for shopping
	by maja s.k. ratkje & lasse marhaug (2003) released on synesthetic recordings LP · Limited edition of 300 copies on black 220 g vinyl. Maja S.K. Ratkje: theremin, voice, analogue effects, minidisc. Lasse Marhaug: computer, samples, cover, mastering. Special shopping edition - only available directly from Synesthetic Recordings' mailorder service! The first 30 copies of the LP (10 of each vinyl color) come in shopping bags, each containing a t-shirt and a button with Music For Shopping design by Lasse Marhaug, as well as an exclusive bonus disc. visit record/group web site
purchase	Apartment Records, Brugata 3A, 0186 Oslo, Norway. E-mail: mailorder@apartmentrecords.com, Phone: +47 91 15 59 01, Fax: +47 22 87 00 68 | purchase online
read more	music for shopping (2000)
Ventemesteren
	by øystein stene and maja ratkje (2003) released on lydbokforlaget A recorded novel (Norwegian only) on CD. Read by Mads Ousdal. Music composed and performed by Maja Ratkje. visit record/group web site
purchase	contact lydbokforlaget: Pb. 135, 7223 melhus, telephone +47 72 85 60 70 /+47 22 99 51 60 | purchase online
read more	Ventemesteren (2003)
voice
	by maja ratkje and jazzkammer (2002) released on rune grammofon rune grammofon: "The debut solo album from SPUNK member Maja Ratkje will secure her a place among the finest experimental singers. From the weird and furious to the enchanting and beautiful, this is an album rich in atmosphere, colour and creative madness."
purchase	contact rune grammofon | purchase online
read more	voice (2000 – 2002)
looking on darkness
	by frode haltli and vertavo string quartet (2002) released on ECM records ECM: "This is the solo recording debut of accordionist Frode Haltli, a major talent from Norway, destined to make his mark on several genres. He was last heard on ECM in the company of Trygve Seim and friends, but his primary commitment is to the performance contemporary composition and this album features Nordic new music - from Norway, Sweden, Denmark and Finland - written for the accordion. Four of the five pieces are premiere recordings, with three written especially for Halti. They add up to a fascinating landscape of new music from the north, music which casts its inspirational net wide. Features compositions by Bent Sørensen, Asbjørn Schaathun, Magnus Lindberg, PerMagnus Lindborg, and Maja Solveig Kjelstrup Ratkje. Halti is joined by the Vertavo Quartet for Ratkje's "Gagaku Variations"." Frode Haltli received the Norwegian Grammy for this album!
purchase	contact ECM | purchase online
read more	gagaku variations (2001)
den øverste toppen på en blåmalt flaggstang
	by SPUNK (2002) released on rune grammofon rune grammofon: "The new studio album from this increasingly exciting and colourful quartet boasts yet another Pippi Longstocking related title. This free spirited and anti authoritarian character is one of the most loved and wellknown from the late, great Swedish author of childrens books, Astrid Lindgren. It translates "The very top of a bluepainted flagpole" and on reflection it gets clearer and clearer why the four young women in SPUNK so easily will identify with this character, going their own pathways and relentlessly breaking most rules in the book. In many ways both more accesible, varied and distinct than their debut from 1999." visit record/group web site
purchase	contact rune grammofon | purchase online
read more	den øverste toppen på en blåmalt flaggstang (2000 – 2002)
sinus seduction
	by norwegian composers of electronic music (2002) released on aurora Electronic music by Cecilie Ore, Natasha Barrett, Risto Holopainen, Anders Vinjar, Terje Winther, Maja S. K. Ratkje and Rolf Wallin. Released with support from the Norwegian Society of Composers. visit record/group web site
purchase	use musiconline.no | purchase online
faces
	by oslo sinfonietta (2000) released on albedo A compilation of music by young, Norwegian composers conducted by Christian Eggen. Lars Petter Hagen, Trond Reinholdtsen, Bendik Hagerup, Maja S. K. Ratkje and Eivind Buene have all made their mark as new voices in scandinavian contemporary music. Born between 1972 and 1976 they represent different views on music, in comparison with earlier generations of Norwegian composers. visit record/group web site
purchase	contact ny musikk (norwegian section of the ISCM): tollbugt. 28, 0157 oslo, telephone +47 22 33 70 90, fax + 47 22 33 70 95 | purchase online
det eneste jeg vet er at det ikke er en støvsuger
	by SPUNK (1999) released on rune grammofon rune grammofon: "Improvisation from four young female musicians with backgrounds from jazz, classical, contemporary, rock and country. Weird, wonderful and completely beyond categorisation, the quartet was formed in 1995. This is their debut recording." -Isn't this the most colorful freely improvised music? It drives me nuts, makes me laugh, makes me listen. It is truly unique. Alternate Music Press, US -A bold, unsettling and beautifully presented disk. Rubberneck, UK -Provocative and touching, advanced and reflective. Dagens Næringsliv, NO -Like an icily austere No-Neck Blues Band re-recording Spontaneous Music Ensemble's "One, Two, Albert Ayler". The Wire, UK -A massive document, from soundblock improv to Twin Peaks lounge. Gold Soundz, NO. visit record/group web site
purchase	contact rune grammofon | purchase online

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