Media Release 20 July 2015

World-Class Bergen Philharmonic Orchestra to Open the ‘15/’16 Season at The National Concert Hall

One of the world’s oldest orchestras, the Bergen Philharmonic Orchestra, will perform the opening concert in the National Concert Hall’s 15/16 International Concert Series, Friday 28 August 2015.

Fresh from their BBC Proms 2015 performance, the Bergen Philharmonic will be led on stage by the American Music Director Andrew Litton to perform Stravinsky’s spell-binding Rite of Spring, Svendsen’s Carnival in Paris and one of the most be-loved violin concertos of all time; Mendelssohn’s Violin Concerto in E minor with guest violinist Alina Ibragimova.
The Guardian describes her as “one of the most richly talented and expressive of violinists”.

The 250-year-old Orchestra based in Bergen, Norway is the first of 5 great orchestras to perform as part of the National Concert Hall’s '15/'16 season with its largely Scandinavian theme.

Highlights of the '15/'16 season also include the first visit to Ireland by the Helsinki Philharmonic Orchestra in an all-Sibelius programme (celebrating the 150th anniversary of the birth of the Finnish composer); a performance by the Winner of the 2015 Sibelius Violin Competition; a performance by Danish violinist Nikolaj Znaider making his NCH debut, a return visit by Norwegian pianist Leif Ove Andsnes; a performance by the Swedish Chamber Orchestra with Danish Principal Conductor Thomas Dausgaard and Norwegian pianist Christian Ihle Hadland; an eagerly awaited return by world-renowned soprano Angela Gheorghiu to perform popular operatic arias accompanied by the RTÉ Concert Orchestra; a performance of Monteverdi Vespers by The Sixteen in St. Patrick’s Cathedral; a debut performance at the National Concert Hall by Bach Collegium of Japan of Bach’s Mass in B minor with director Masaaki Suzuki and the first appearance by the Basel Symphony Orchestra, with Music Director Dennis Russell Davies and pianist Alice Sara Ott amongst others.
 

“This season reflects the National Concert Hall’s position as the home of classical music in Ireland and a venue of international standing. We are particularly delighted to welcome the outstanding Bergen Philharmonic to perform fresh from their BBC Proms appearance and to open a season that will see a stellar cast of fine ensembles, orchestras, soloists and choral groups from around the world performing on an Irish stage, for Irish audiences”.

The Bergen Philharmonic Orchestra has been building its reputation for over 250 years. Since the appointment of Andrew Litton as Chief Conductor in 2003 (now Music Director until October 2015), the Orchestra has increased its profile on the concert circuit with extensive international tours as well as recordings and international commissions. Under Litton's leadership they have included a debut at Amsterdam’s Concertgebouw, as well as appearances at Vienna’s Musikverein, Berlin’s Philharmonie, and New York’s Carnegie Hall.

Guest violinist Alina Ibragimova has earned her acclaim for performances as both soloist and with orchestras such as the London Symphony Orchestra and all BBC Orchestras. She has been the recipient of awards including the Royal Philharmonic Society Young Artist Award 2010, the Borletti-Buitoni Trust Award 2008, and the Classical BRIT Young Performer of the Year Award 2009.

The National Concert Hall’s International Concert Series 2015/2016 is supported by The Irish Times, as print media partner.