A sagara's List: Orch_NRK

• 3 September at 19.30

   

  Neeme Järvi, conductor

   

  Vadim Gluzman, violin

   

   

   

  Johan Svendsen: Carnival in Paris
   Max Bruch: Concerto for Violin and Orchestra

   

  Johan Halvorsen: Symphony No. 2 «Fatum»

   

  In a star-studded commencement to the 2009-10 season, the eminent Estonian conductor Neeme Järvi pays tribute to the Norwegian romantic symphonists, Svendsen and Halvorsen. Vadim Gluzman charms with the Bruch Violin Concerto in a well-merited return engagement after his dazzling recording with the Bergen Philharmonic of the Tchaikovsky Concerto.

   

  
   10 & 11 September at 19.30

   

  Andrew Litton, conductor

   

  Leif Ove Andsnes, piano

   

   

   

  Peter Tchaikovsky (arr. Stravinsky): Bluebird pas de deux
   Sergei Rachmaninov: Piano Concerto No. 2

   

  Igor Stravinsky: The Firebird (original 1910 version, complete)

   

  Artistic Director Andrew Litton and the peerless Leif Ove Andsnes share the Grieghall stage for a rich evening of Russian classics. An interesting opportunity to experience the entire Firebird ballet music, from which the popular suite was extracted.

   

  
   17 & 18 September at 19.30

   

  Andrew Litton, conductor

   

  Janine Jansen, violin

   

  Lisa Milne, soprano

   

   

   

  Frederic Chopin (arr. Stravinsky): Grande valse brilliante
   Peter Tchaikovsky: Violin Concerto

   

  Gustav Mahler: Symphony No. 4

   

  Two threads which run through this season´s program are represented here: great violin artistry and a wealth of Mahler. Janine Jansen´s provocatively personal interpretations have earned her standing ovations in the world´s great venues, while Litton´s mastery of Mahler is widely acknowledged. Due to the heavenly food imagery sung by the soprano in the finale of the symphony, restaurant reservations for after the concert are highly recommended.
• 24 September at 19.30

   

  John Storgårds, conductor

   

  Håkan Hardenberger, trumpet

   

   

   

  Luca Francesconi: Hard Pace, Concerto for Trumpet and Orchestra (commissioned work)
   Gustav Mahler: Symphony No. 5

   

   «Music heard so deeply That it is not heard at all, but you are the music While the music lasts» - T,S. Eliot

   

  These words could easily be a description of Mahler´s sublime 5^th Symphony, which climaxes this program led by the Helsinki Philharmonic´s new Chief Conductor, John Storgårds. Håkan Hardenberger´s own wunderhorn is heard in a new jazz-inspired piece written for him by Luca Francesconi.

   

  «Hard Pace» is commissioned by the Bergen Philharmonic Orchestra, Accademia Nazionale di Santa Cecilia Roma, MITO SettembreMusica Milano/Torino, NPS Zaterdag Matinee Amsterdam and Gothenburg Symphony Orchestra

   

  
   25 September at 19.30

   

  John Storgårds, conductor

   

  Gunnar Danbolt, introduction

   

  Gustav Mahler: Symphony No. 5

   

  
   26 September at 16.00 Family Concert

   

  Cinderella by Roald Dahl

   

  BIT20 Ensemble

   

  Torodd Wigum, conductor

   

  Vladimir Tarnopolski, composer

   

  Helge Jordal, narrator

   

  Dancers, Childrens Choir and Orchestra

   

  In the hands of Roald Dahl, even a simple story like Cinderella becomes exceedingly interesting to young and old alike. With musical accompaniment by Bergen´s acclaimed contemporary ensemble, BIT 20.
• 1 October at 19.30

   

  Paul McCreesh, conductor

   

   

   

  Joseph Haydn: Symphony No. 100 «Military»
   Sir Peter Maxwell Davies: An Orkney Wedding, with Sunrise

   

  Felix Mendelssohn: Symphony No. 3 «The Scottish»

   

  «Travel broadens the mind.» In this instance it broadened the opus of three great composers. Haydn was inspired by his trips to London (he didn’t really want to go back home to Esterhazy) and Mendelssohn wrote his 3rd Symphony after tours of the Scottish countryside. To complete the travelogue, Maxwell Davies composed a vivid description of an all-night wedding celebration attended in the Orkney Isles.

   

  
   15 October at 1930

   

  Nikolaj Znaider, conductor

   

  Roman Trekel, baritone

   

   

   

  Richard Strauss: Til Eulenspiegels lustige Streiche

   

  Gustav Mahler: Lieder eines fahrenden Gesellen
   Peter Tchaikovsky: Symphony No. 4

   

  This year´s Musician in Residence has a non-stop career, performing widely both as conductor and violin soloist. Tonight Nikolaj Znaider works from the podium in a program showing a considerable breadth of expression: Til´s jeering virtuosity, the ineffable tenderness of Mahler´s songs, on through to the fiery finale of Tchaikovsky´s 4^th Symphony.

   

  
   16 October at 19.30

   

  Nikolaj Znaider, conductor

   

  Peter Tchaikovsky: Symphony No. 4

   

  The Friday audience will hear a repeat performance of Tchaikovsky Symphony no. 4, with introductory remarks.
• 22 October at 19.30

   

  Roberto Minczuk, conductor

   

  Karen Gomyo, violin

   

   

   

  Ludwig van Beethoven: Namensfeier, ouverture
   Samuel Barber: Violin Concerto

   

  Johannes Brahms: Symphony No. 4

   

  Back to basics, with a twist of Barber. Karen Gomyo is an exciting young violinist who has the passionate sound and formidable technique required by the Barber Violin Concerto. Works by the unparalleled masters of the romantic symphony provide a perfect counterbalance, basically.

   

  
   29 October at 19.30 & 31 October at 18.00

   

  Andrew Litton, conductor

   

  Barbara Frittoli, soprano

   

  Joel Prieto, tenor

   

  Bergen Philharmonic Choir

   

  One of the world’s foremost sopranos performs favorites from her all-encompassing repertoire, along with the thrilling young tenor , Joel Prieto. Just don’t wait until it’s too late to get tickets!
• 7 November at 16.00

   

  Family Concert

   

  Torodd Wigum, conductor

   

  Eirik Raude, percussion

   

  Boya Bøckman, videoart

   

  Innovative video designer and scenographer Boya Bøckman has created a performance in which projected animations and drawings interact in real time with music played by percussion soloist Eirick Raude and the orchestra. Good fun for families and techies too!

   

  
   12 November at 19.30

   

  Juanjo Mena, conductor

   

  Katarina Karneus, mezzosoprano

   

   

   

  Olivier Messiaen: Un Sourire
   Gustav Mahler: Fünf Lieder nach Rückert

   

  Ludwig van Beethoven: Symphony No. 6 «Pastorale»

   

  In his first appearance of the season, Principal Guest Conductor Juanjo Mena shows the kinder, gentler side of the repertoire. Messiaen smiles, Mahler´s in love, and even Beethoven is in a good mood once the storm clears.

   

  
   13 November at 19.30

   

  Stavanger Symphony Orchestra

   

  Steven Sloane, conductor

   

  Omar Ebrahim, baritone

   

  David Moss, vocal

   

   

   

  Joseph Haydn: Symphony No. 22 «The Philosopher»
   Frank Zappa; Greggery Peckary

   

  Hector Berlioz: Symphonie Fantastique

   

   The Stavanger Symphony Orchestra presents works by three great groundbreakers: Haydn invented the classical symphony, Berlioz made musical reality out of his fantasies, while in Zappa´s own words, the Greggary Peccary Suite is ¨sort of a march, then a waltz..a tango, a trombone solo, building up to a frenetic conclusion, and then we stop.¨
• 19 November at 19.30

   

  Juanjo Mena, conductor

   

  Kari Kriikku, clarinet

   

   

   

  Edvard Grieg: Bell Ringing
   Magnus Lindberg: Clarinet Concerto

   

  Claude Debussy: Images

   

  Tonight´s distinguished soloist, Kari Kriiku, has been the inspiration for many important additions to the clarinet repertoire, including the LindbergConcerto presented here. Juanjo Mena inspires as well, challenging the orchestra to produce the ethereal sounds and elegant effects of Debussy´s Images.

   

  
   26 November at 19.30

   

  Bramwell Tovey, conductor

   

  Martin Winter, cornet

   

   

   

  Arnold Bax: Tintagel, a Tone Poem
   Ernest Tomlinson: Concerto for Cornet (World premiere of version for orchestra)

   

  Ralph Vaughan-Williams: Symphony No. 2 «London»

   

   An all-British program led by Bramwell Tovey, who has made a highly successful career in Canada and the U.S. Both Bax and Vaughan-Williams developed highly personal styles evocative of the English spirit, while rejecting the atonality employed by many of their 20^th century counterparts. Proof that the highest caliber of soloists can be found in the orchestra´s own ranks, Martin Winter navigates the beautiful but treacherous Tomlinson Cornet Concerto with aplomb. 
• 3 & 4 December at 19.30

   

  Eivind Aadland, conductor

   

  Melina Mandozzi, violin

   

   

   

  Knut Vaage: Kyklop
   Sergej Prokofiev: Violin Concerto No. 1

   

  Antonin Dvorak: Symphony No. 9 «New World»

   

  Perhaps former Bergen Philharmonic concertmaster Eivind Aadland will feel a personal reference while conducting the famous ¨going home¨ theme from the New World Symphony in the Grieghall. This is certainly a showcase of some of Bergen´s finest, from Knut Vaage´s recently premiered Kyklop to the virtuosity of the orchestra´s own prima donna, Melina Mandozzi.

   

  
   9 & 10 December at 19.30

   

  Jesùs Lopez-Cobos, conductor

   

  Victoria Nava, soprano

   

  Kristina Hammarström, mezzosoprano

   

  Robert Murray, tenor

   

  Matthew Rose, bass

   

  Bergen Philharmonic Choir

   

  The Grieg Academy Choir

   

  Håkon Matti Skrede, Choir Master

   

  Ludwig van Beethoven: Symphony No. 9

   

  Maestro López Cobos makes a welcome return visit to direct the ever-inspiring 9^th Symphony of Beethoven. No effort will be spared by the orchestra and chorus in transforming ths concert into an unforgettable event. The all-star soloist roster is headed by Bergen´s exceptional soprano, Victoria Nava.

   

  
   11 December at 19.30

   

  Jesùs Lopez-Cobos, conductor

   

  Victoria Nava, soprano

   

  Kristina Hammarström, mezzosoprano

   

  Robert Murray, tenor

   

  Matthew Rose, bass

   

  Bergen Philharmonic Choir

   

  The Grieg Academy Choir

   

  Håkon Matti Skrede, Choir Master

   

  Gunnar Danbolt, introduction

   

  Ludwig van Beethoven: Symphony No. 9
• 17 & 18 December at 19.00

   

  Kjell Seim, conductor

   

  Young Symphony

   

  Dancers from the Bergen Municipal School of Art

   

  Peter Tchaikovsky: The Nutcracker

   

  
   17 December at 19.30 (Venue: Håkonshallen)

   

  Arvid Engegård, conductor

   

  Steinar Hannevold, oboe

   

  Olli Leppäniemi, clarinet

   

  Per Hannevold, bassoon

   

  Ilene Chanon, horn

   

   

   

  Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart: Adagio and Fugue
   Sinfonia Concertante for Wind

   

  Symphony No. 41 «Jupiter»

   

  The venerable stone walls of Håkonshallen resonate once more to the sound of Mozart in this yuletide concert. Arvid Engegård puts his wealth of chamber music experience to good effect in the intimate setting.
• 6 & 7 January at 19.00 in Grieghallen, 8 January in Førde at 19.30, 9 January in Sogndal at 19.30

   

  New Year’s Concerts

   

  Readers of the Bergens Tidende vote for their favorite pieces to be played at the festive New Year´s concert. Traditionally, audience prizes and up-and-coming talent are hallmarks of the occasion.

   

  
   14 January at 19.30, 16 January at 16.00 (Family Concert)

   

  Frank Strobel, conductor

   

  Chaplin’s: The Gold Rush

   

  Last year´s presentation of Chaplin´s silent classic «The Circus» with orchestral accompaniment received such an enthusiastic response that the only choice is simply to show two more of these fine films! The live music is synchronized to support the action onscreen for a highly satisfying cinematic experience.

   

  
   15 January at 19.30

   

  Frank Strobel, conductor

   

  Chaplin’s: City Lights
• 21 & 22 January at 19.30

   

  Juanjo Mena, conductor

   

  Kun-Woo Paik, piano

   

   

   

  Frederic Chopin: Piano Concerto No. 1
   Anton Bruckner: Symphony No. 6

   

  There are many pianists who can execute the technical difficulties of Chopin’s 1st Concerto, but it takes a mature artist like Kim-Woo Paik to summon forth the style and poetry that can’t be printed in black and white. Bruckner poses his own challenges, but with devotion and attention to detail, maestro Mena creates a sincere interpretation of the powerful, enigmatic 6th Symphony.

   

  
   28 January at 19.30

   

  Robin Ticciati, conductor

   

  Christopher Maltman, baritone

   

   

   

  Richard Strauss: Tod und Verklärung
   Gustav Mahler: Kindertotenlieder

   

  Johannes Brahms: Symphony No. 2

   

  While Strauss and Mahler found ways to express the fear, sorrow and even transformational qualities of death, Brahms chose the joy of life as the theme for his radiant 2nd Symphony.

   

  
   29 January at 19.30

   

  Robin Ticciati, conductor

   

  Gunnar Danbolt, introduction

   

  Johannes Brahms: Symphony No. 2
• 4 February at 19.30

   

  Krzysztof Urbanski, conductor

   

  Nikolaj Znaider, violin

   

   

   

  Robert Schumann: Manfred Ouverture
   Felix Mendelssohn: Violin Concerto

   

  Bela Bartók: Concerto for Orchestra

   

  Bergen’s first look at rising star Krzysztof Urbanski, a prize-winning young conductor who is creating a stir in the European capitols. Musician in Residence Nikolaj Znaider’s rendition of Mendelssohn’s magical Violin Concerto is followed by another concerto- for the whole orchestra. Bartok gives each instrument group a chance to shine before building to a climactic fugal finish.

   

  
   11 February at 19.30

   

  Christian Eggen, conductor

   

  Ellen Ugelvik, piano

   

  Bjørn Sundquist, narrator

   

   

   

  Ludwig van Beethoven: Incidental Music for Goethe’s play «Egmont»
   Helmut Lachenmann: Ausklang

   

  A long-time leader of the German avant-garde, Helmut Lachenmann is satisfied with nothing less than redefining the very nature of music. He finds a kindred spirit in Ellen Ugelvik, who won the Bergens Tidende ‘Årets Kulturnavn’ award in 2006.

   

  
   20 February at 18.00, 22, 24 & 26 February at 19.00

   

  Kasper Bech Holten, Director

   

  Steffen Aarfing, scenography

   

  Marie í Dali, costumes

   

  Jesper Kongshaug, light design

   

  Nicholas Kraemer, musical direction and continuo

   

  James Cresswell, Figaro

   

  Ann-Helen Moen, the Countess

   

  Bengt Ola Morgny, Don Basilio

   

  Guido Paevatalu, Bartolo

   

  Alenka Ponjavic, Marcellina

   

  Vibeke Kristensen, Susanna

   

  Kor Vest

   

  Håkon Matti Skrede, Choir Master

   

  Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart: Le Nozze di Figaro

   

  The basic plot of Figaro- an aristocrat upended by two clever commoners- receives a contemporary, psychologically challenging treatment in this production from the Royal Danish Opera. The musical performance, however, tends toward the authentic style, under the energetic direction of Nicholas Kraemer.
• 11 March at 19.30

   

  Andrew Litton, conductor

   

  Julian Rachlin, violin

   

   

   

  Edvard Grieg: Bell Ringing
   Dmitri Shostakovich: Violin Concerto No. 1

   

  Sergei Prokofiev: Symphony No. 5

   

  Yet another of the world’s great violinists visits the Grieghall. Julian Rachlin joins with the Bergen Philharmonic in preparation for the upcoming tour to Stockholm and the U.K. The great Soviet era composers are represented here, along with Norway’s cultural icon, Edvard Grieg.

   

  
   12 March at 19.30

   

  Andrew Litton, conductor and introduction

   

  Dmitri Shostakovich: Symphony No. 5

   

  
   18 & 19 March at 19.30

   

  Andrew Litton, conductor

   

  Melina Mandozzi, violin

   

  Ilze Klava, viola

   

  Agnese Rugevica, cello

   

  Andrew Litton, piano

   

   

   

  Gustav Mahler: Piano Quartet
   Symphony No. 10 (Clinton Carpenter)

   

  The alpha and omega of Mahler. Andrew Litton and string principals from the orchestra have prepared a rare hearing of one of the composer’s earliest extant scores, to be followed by the unfinished 10th Symphony.
• 9 April at 19.30

   

  Bjarte Engeset, conductor

   

  De Unges Konsert – Young performing artists are soloists with the orchestra

   

  The Bergen Philharmonic and Kavli Philanthropic Fund invest once again in the future for Norway’s young performing artists. Those selected by the expert jury perform as soloists with the orchestra, as well as receiving a prize award to assist with their careers. Tomorrow’s headliners appear tonight in De Unges Konsert.

   

  
   15 & 16 April at 19.30

   

  Lawrence Renes, conductor

   

  Marita Solberg, soprano

   

  Anthony Michaels-Moore, baritone

   

  Bergen Philharmonic Choir

   

  Collegiûm Mûsicûm Choir

   

  Håkon Matti Skrede, Choir Master

   

  
   Arnold Schönberg: Verklärte Nacht

   

  Gabriel Fauré: Requiem

   

  For sheer beauty of sound and color, there are few works to compare with the Faure Requiem.Undoubtedly this is due in part to the composer’s attitude toward the subject matter: ” it is thus that I see death: as a happy deliverance, an aspiration towards happiness above, rather than a painful experience.”

   

  
   17 April at 16.00

   

  Assistant Conductor

   

  Beethoven for children Family Concert

   

  Ludwig van Beethoven: Symphony No. 6

   

  Take the kids for a walk in the woods with Ludwig van Beethoven to discover the source of inspiration for his 6th Symphony.
• 22 April at 19.30

   

  Andrés Orozco-Estrada, conductor

   

  Kroumata Percussion Ensemble

   

   

   

  Gustav Mahler: Blumine 

   

  Sofia Gubaidulina: Glorious Percussion (Commissioned work)
   Gustav Mahler: Symphony No. 1

   

  The brilliant orchestration, the long descriptive episodes, and the experience of psychological odyssey – characteristics of Mahler’s mature work – are already in place from his first symphonic effort. Also included are the symphony’s original 2^nd movement, «Blumine», and Sophia Gubaidulina’s new work for percussion ensemble and orchestra, jointly commissioned by the Bergen Philharmonic and three other orchestras.

   

  «Glorious Percussion» is commissioned by the Bergen Philharmonic Orchestra, Luzerner Sinfonieorchester, Gothenburg Symphony Orchestra, Dresdner Philharmonic and Glorious Percussion Ensemble.

   

  
   29 April at 19.30

   

  Juanjo Mena, conductor

   

  Håvard Gimse, piano

   

   

   

  Richard Wagner: The Flying Dutchman, ouverture
   Edvard Grieg: Piano Concerto in A-minor

   

  Carl Nielsen: Symphony No. 4 «The Inextinguishable»

   

  Bergen gets first hearing of the Italian tour programme as Juanjo Mena takes the orchestra to the international piano festival in Bergamo and Brescia. Success is insured by the combination of the ever-popular Grieg A-minor and piano soloist Håvard Gimse. Carl Nielsen’s 4^th Symphony is a dramatic tribute to the force of life itself.

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