Nordic Wind Orchestra

with Eldbjørg Hemsing

Festival Academy of Bergen

In the Nordic Wind Orchestra, leading wind players from across the Nordic region come together with a shared desire to explore new concert formats. Their programme in Bergen’s university auditorium introduces four composers who have all contributed to this spirit of discovery. 

Conductor Andreas Hanson leads young wind players from across the North in a journey that stretches from the 1920s to the present day. The opening work, Octandre – literally 'a flower with eight stamens' – was written for eight musicians by Edgar Varèse in his pursuit of a new world of sound. 

Stravinsky’s Octet, said to have been inspired by a dream, is scored for the unusual combination of four woodwinds and four brass. Among its many delights is a tribute to Bach that, at times, hints at Latin American dances. Memoria is written by the Festival’s Artist in Residence, Esa-Pekka Salonen. The composer describes the quintet as 'serious, sometimes sad,' permeated with memories of times past and flashes of joy. 

The concert closes with Kurt Weill’s bold idea: to do something not previously attempted – to balance a violin solo against the full weight of a wind ensemble. Rising to the challenge is Eldbjørg Hemsing, who also appears elsewhere in the Festival with her Colors of Bach concert in Håkonshallen.

Top image: Nordic Wind Orchestra with conductor. Photo: Sveinung Hoel Bjorå

Supported by

Contributors

• Nordic Wind Orchestra

• Andreas Hanson conductor

• Eldbjørg Hemsing violin

Works

• Edgard Varèse (1883–1965)
  Octandre
  1. Assez lent
  2. Très vif et nerveux
  3. Grave – Animé et jubilatoire

• Igor Stravinsky (1882–1971)
  Octet, K041
  1. Sinfonia (Lento – Allegro moderato)
  2. Tema con variazioni (Andantino)
  3. Finale (Allegro moderato – ma poco meno mosso – Tempo primo)

• Esa-Pekka Salonen (1958–)
  Memoria

• Kurt Weill (1900–1950)
  Concerto for Violin and Wind Orchestra, op. 12
  1. Andante con moto
  2. a) Notturno – b) Cadenza – c) Serenata
  3. Allegro molto, un poco agitato

A collaboration between

Bergen International Festival and The Savings Bank Foundation DNB