Holding the position as Artistic Director of the Trondheim Soloists in 2002-2017, Øyvind Gimse developed the orchestra into being one of the most distinguished ensembles in Scandinavia and won international recognition for it’s distinctively open and clear orchestral sound, described by the British music magazine "Classic FM" as “The Trondheim Sound".

His recordings with the Trondheim Soloists have received seven GRAMMY nominations and won three Norwegian Grammys, and he has toured from Japan to South America with the ensemble. As a soloist or orchestral guest leader, Gimse has visited Finland, Italy, the Netherlands and in particular Spain. Gimse is regularly visiting all of the Norwegian chamber music festivals and has performed with musicians such as Leif Ove Andsnes, Anthony Marwood, Nobuko Imai and Bobby McFerrin.

His dedication to contemporary music has allowed him to co-operate with composers like Sofia Gubaidolina, George Crumb and Bent Sorensen. Gimse is also an internationally recognized professor, holding a guest professorship at «Academia Galamian» in Malaga and taking workshops and masterclasses throughout Europe. The development of musical talent and the fostering of an enduring musical environment in Norway constitutes a vital part of his work.

He is a member of the mentor program «Konstknekt», a cooperation between the Berlin Philharmonic orchestra and the chamber music festival «Vinterfestspill» in Røros, where he holds the position as the artistic director. Gimse plays a Francesco Goffriller(1730) owned by the Sparebankstiftelsen/Dextra Musica in Oslo, a magnificent instrument formerly played by the legendary cellist Jacqueline du Pré.