History
Susanna and the Magical Orchestra
Formation and Early Releases
Susanna (born Susanna Wallumrød in 1979) co-founded the duo Susanna and the Magical Orchestra with keyboardist Morten Qvenild in 2000. The project released its debut album, List of Lights and Buoys, in 2004, followed by Melody Mountain in 2006 and 3 in 2009. All early releases were produced by Deathprod and initially issued on the Norwegian label Rune Grammofon.
Solo Work and Collaborations
Under her own name, Susanna has released several albums, including Sonata Mix Dwarf Cosmos (2007), Flower of Evil (2008), and Wild Dog (2012). She also explored different artistic avenues with the album Jeg vil hjem til menneskene (2011), featuring poetry by Gunvor Hofmo set to her music, released on Grappa Musikkforlag. In 2011, she collaborated with Giovanna Pessi on the album If Grief Could Wait for the German label ECM Records.
SusannaSonata Label and Commissions
In 2011, Susanna established her own record label, SusannaSonata. Initially intended to manage her back catalog, the label evolved into a platform for her own projects and a curated selection of other artists. Susanna also co-composed 'Meshes of Voice' with Jenny Hval, a piece performed at Ladyfest and Oslo Jazzfestival in 2009, and later released on SusannaSonata in 2014.
Ensemble Work and Recognition
Susanna initiated a collaboration with Ensemble neoN, where composers Jan Martin Smørdal and Julian Skar arranged her music for the ensemble and Susanna herself, featuring her piano and vocals. This project, performed at Oslo Kammermusikk Festival in 2010, resulted in the 2013 album The Forester, which received the Norwegian Grammy Award (Spellemannprisen) in the Open Category.
Touring and Shared Releases
Susanna has toured internationally with the American artist Bonnie 'Prince' Billy. Their collaboration yielded a tour single in 2009 featuring two duets, "Forever" and "In Spite of Ourselves." Bonnie 'Prince' Billy also released two of Susanna's songs on a 7-inch single titled "Stay."
