Uno Alexander Vesje (b. 1989) is a Norwegian harpist and composer with a distinctive musical voice. Fusing artistic curiosity with a rich sonic palette, he creates music that resonates emotionally and sparks reflection — challenging conventions and inviting deeper listening.
“What every harpist wants to do with their strings. The effects are stunning, the resolution is a breath of fresh air.” – Alison Young, Harp Column Magazine (US).
His performances have taken him across the globe — from Carnegie Hall in New York City to Het Concertgebouw in Amsterdam and Musée d’Orsay in Paris, as well as festivals and concert halls throughout Scandinavia, the UK, and Asia. He has received international recognition in both performance and composition, including first prizes at the World Harp Competition (Netherlands) and the USA International Harp Composition Contest.
Described by the World Harp Competition jury as “a sensitive artist with a mission, and more than just a harpist,” Uno was recognized for his ability to infuse music with powerful social commentary. This moment marked a defining shift in his artistic path, as he began to use the harp not only as a musical instrument, but as a voice for dialogue, awareness, and change. His commissioned works have been presented by institutions such as the Oslo Philharmonic’s chamber music series, Helsinki Harp Festival, and the World Harp Congress.
A strong example of this engagement is the concert film 736 Million Women — a powerful work for harp and women’s choir based on UN reports and testimonies from survivors of violence. Created in collaboration with the Norwegian choir Vokal Vivo and ConcertLab (Netherlands), the film premiered at Vega Scene in Oslo in 2024 and addresses a global reality affecting one in three women.
In Forbidden Love (2023), premiered at Musiikkitalo in Helsinki, Uno delves into the complex inner worlds of queer Muslim immigrants — often torn between identity, faith, and the longing to belong. This chamber music work is another example of Uno’s commitment to amplifying silenced voices and exploring deeply human experiences through sound.
With support from two Norwegian State Artist Grants and ArtEx – Talent Norway’s interdisciplinary mentoring program for leading performers in their fields – Uno has been able to deepen his practice and explore new directions as a composer and performer.
Uno has released two critically acclaimed solo albums of original compositions and contributed to numerous other recordings, as well as television and radio productions. As a soloist, he has performed with leading Norwegian orchestras such as the Bergen Philharmonic Orchestra, Trondheim Symphony Orchestra & Opera, the Arctic Philharmonic Sinfonietta, and the Norwegian Wind Ensemble. He regularly works as a freelance harpist with Norwegian orchestras including the Oslo Philharmonic, the Norwegian Radio Orchestra, and the Norwegian Chamber Orchestra.
Through his art, Uno Vesje continues to inspire, provoke, and make space for urgent and deeply human stories.
Frontside Chamber Music Association has existed since 2019 and is largely driven by volunteer efforts, but we are highly dependent on additional financial sponsors and fundings. All contributions are used to engage fantastic musicians, rents of venues and all other things that make the festival a magical experience.
If you are interested in chamber music that goes beyond the ordinary, you should become a member! As a member, you are invited to the association’s annual meeting and participate in electing the board. You can also suggest activities for the association, thereby influencing future festivals and other events we organize. You also have the opportunity to volunteer during the festival, allowing you to enjoy wonderful chamber music without paying an entrance fee.
How do I become a member and support Frontside? Submit your information in the form below and pay the membership fee, and we will register you as a member immediately. Please also indicate which chamber music you love the most. Together with your personal information, this helps us better understand who our members are. How we handle your information can be read under the GDPR section.
You renew your membership every fall term – we’ll remind you! Alternatively, you can purchase a lifetime membership and thus become a permanent member with a one-time fee.
If you join as a new member in the spring, your payment also covers the following year’s membership.
How do I do it and what does it cost? You can pay the membership fee to Bankgiro 5318-7969 or via Swish 123 356 63 95. Always include your name and, if paying via bankgiro, your mobile number.
Welcome as a member!
For requests, feedback, and additional information, fill in your message in the form at the bottom or send an email to info@frontside-festival.se
The General Data Protection Regulation, GDPR, came into force within the EU on May 25, 2018.
How does Frontside handle its membership register? In our membership register, we store your name, address details, email address, phone number, and birth year. If you leave the association, we will retain your information for a maximum of seven (7) years before deleting it.
Who has access to my information? We register your details digitally in our membership register. Only you (first party) and individuals with trusted roles in the association (second party) have access to your information. No information is shared with third parties.
You can request to see what information we have collected about you at any time.
Validity? By becoming a member of the association, you enter into an agreement regarding which information about you can be stored with us and who has access to this information, as described above. This agreement is valid indefinitely, as long as you are a member of the Frontside Chamber Music Association.
Do I have the right to have my information deleted? According to GDPR, you have the right to have your information deleted, but you will also lose your membership in the association. To request this, send an email to info@frontside-festival.se and ask for your stored information to be deleted.
