GREAT CHINA TOUR CHAMBER MUSIC Bergen Woodwind Quintet, Norway, 2010 | Bergen Woodwind Quintet, Norway, 2010 |
  Tour Dates
Tour Dates: 1 Oct - 11 Oct, 2010 “Whether the message of the music was wit or more turbulently romantic thoughts, these players caught the music's spirit with effortless grace.” Gro Sandvik - flute The Bergen Woodwind Quintet has for years been a leading Scandinavian chamber music group, performing to great acclaim in the world. Flutist Gro Sandvik enjoys seniority, a permanent ensemble member since 1967. Audiences and critics alike have come under the spell of the BWQ's interpretations, with the ensemble's trademark virtuosity and breath-taking dynamic range always at the service of the music. In 1982 the quintet was awarded the French Senate's special prize for the best performance of a French composition at the international chamber music competition in Colmar, France. Since then, the ensemble has enjoyed increasing popularity, as featured performers at international festivals such as Bodensee Festival, Helsinki Summer Festival, International Chamber Music Festival Stavanger, Bergen International Festival, Flanders Festival and Musikherbst Westmünsterland. In 2004 the group performed Samuel Barber's well-known quintet, "Summer Music" on the notable Chamber Music Society of Detroit concert series, to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the commissioning of the work. The BWQ has performed in many well known concert halls, among them Teatro Mancini in Milan, Beethovenhalle in Bonn, Baird Auditorium and National Gallery of Art in Washington DC., as well as at Carnegie Hall in New York. Extensive broadcast credits include programs for BBC- Radio 3, WDR in Germany, WFMT in Chicago, "Saint Paul Sunday" and "Performance Today" for National Public Radio in the U.S. The BWQ has recorded Carl Nielsen's complete works for winds, all three woodwind quintets by David Maslanka, as well as music of such notable composers as Samuel Barber, Paul Hindemith, Jacques Ibert, André Jolivet, August Klughardt, and Anton Reicha. Harald Sæverud, the Norwegian composer laureate, enjoyed the group's playing so much that he dedicated two new works to them, both of which are available on CD. Members of the BWQ are all very much in demand as soloists. They also serve as Professors at the Grieg Academy of the University of Bergen. The quintet has been named Visiting Guest Artists in residence at the University of Minnesota.
He has served as solo flutist in the Bergen Philharmonic since 1967. Her exceptional versatility is evidence of an intense interest in communication through music at all levels. She has an active career as soloist and chamber music performer, which includes premier performances of many works written especially for her, and the Scandinavian premier of John Corigliano's Concerto for Flute. Her philosophy of flute playing is derived from her private studies with Marcel Moyse. Sandvik holds a professorship in music performance at the Grieg Academy, University of Bergen. Her articles on flute playing in wind bands are widely recognized and she is a sought-after guest lecturer and flute educator. Gro Sandvik is often engaged as adjudicator and holds positions on several committees pertaining to Norwegian musical education and performance. Together with classical guitarist Stein Erik Olsen, she has been principal guest artist at international guitar festivals. She is Visiting Professor of Flute at The University of Iowa, School of Music for the Academic year 2006/2007.
The solo oboist of the Bergen Philharmonic Orchestra since 1977, brings a wealth of experience to his performance with the BWQ. Winning positions with the Oslo Philharmonic and the Stockholm Opera early in his career, he also served as a frequent substitute with the Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra during his studies with Professor Karl Steins. In addition to many solo appearances with the Bergen Philharmonic, including the Norwegian premiere of the Edison Denisow, John Corigliano and John Harbison Oboe Concertos, Hannevold was also a featured soloist at the 1993 Inter-national Double Reed Society Conference in Minneapolis. Equally well known as an instructor, he teaches yearly at the Norwegian National Summer Orchestra Festival.
At the age of 15, made his debut in the Crusell Clarinet Concerto with the Helsingborg Symphony Orchestra, the Swedish Television produced a much-acclaimed documentary about him. He followed this up with an international debut in 1990, playing the Jean Francaix Concerto with the Austrian Radio Orchestra. This work has later become somewhat of a signature work for him in, addition to the John Corigliano's Concerto, which he premiered in Scandinavia. Fredrik Fors joined the Oslo Philharmonic Orchestra under Mariss Jansons in 1995 and has performed as a soloist with a number of orchestras in the Nordic countries and in Istanbul. He has appeared at many chamber music festivals all over Europe. Fredrik Fors studied at the Royal College of Music in Stockholm and later with such leading international clarinetists as Karl Leister, Yehuda Gilad, Anthony Pay and Richard Stoltzman. In 1993 he received the Juventus Prize from the Council of Europe and Foundation Claude-Nicolas Ledoux. The present list of Juventus Laureates counts several of Europe's most interesting young musicians. For Fredrik Fors the prize has also led to an acclaimed recording for Harmonia Mundi, with works by Debussy, Martinu, Alban Berg, Busoni and Poulenc. American Record Guide recently called the recording 'one of the finest recitals of its kind'.
The horn soloist of the Bergen Philharmonic and Assistant Professor at the Grieg Academy of Music, University of Bergen. Originally from Los Angeles, Chanon received her Bachelor of Music Degree from the University of Southern California and her Master of Music Degree and PerformerÝs Certificate from the Eastman School of Music. She first came to Scandinavia in 1992 and has held solo horn positions in the Gothenburg Opera and Malmo Symphony Orchestra. In addition, Chanon served as guest Principal Horn for Opera Australia at the Sydney Opera House in 2002. Also, as a member of the Crown City Brass Quintet from 2002-2003, she performed in California and New York. Prior to moving to Scandinavia, Ms. Chanon held principal horn posts with the Chattanooga Symphony and the Orchestra of Santa Fe. Chanon performed “Beyond Neon,” concerto for horn and orchestra by Olav Anton Thommessen at the Bergen International Festival. She was a Featured Artist and member of the Faculty at the 2008 Lieksa Brass Week in Finland, and a contributing artist at the 25th annual International Horn Society Workshop at Florida State University.
As the principal bassoon of the Bergen Philharmonic Orchestra since 1979, he is a Professor at the Grieg Academy, University of Bergen. In 1995 with the BPO he presented the world premiere of Illuminations, a concerto dedicated to him by Norwegian composer Ruth Bakke. In 2001 he performed John Williams's concerto Five Sacred Trees. In 1999 he was a juror for the twenty-fourth Concour International d'Instruments à Vent in Toulon, France; he also performed in Taiwan and in a Lincoln Center concert featuring principal players from leading orchestras honoring the 50th Anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. During 2001 he toured Lithuania as soloist and presented master classes in Kaunas. He has presented master classes and served as a juror at the bassoon competition in Uusikaupunki, Finland. Mr. Hannevold, has been a faculty member of the Aspen Music Festival and School since 1993. He and bassoonist John Miller run annual symposiums in the U.S. and Bergen. He studied with Arnulf Brachel in Oslo and Knut Sønstevold in Stockholm. Grants enabled study in the U.S. with Harold Goltzer and Louis Skinner. He has studied conducting with Aldo Ceccato and Sergiu Celibidache.
Reviews
“The Bergen quintet is superb. They play with a seamless ensemble blend, carefully modulated dynamics and a keen grasp of each composer's sound world. "Summer Music” also brought forth an expert balance of energetic solo playing and disciplined cohesiveness.” “On Samuel Barber's Summer Music:
"These Norwegian players give a lively and characterful account of it, as indeed they do all the pieces on this record.” “Whether the message of the music was wit or more turbulently romantic thoughts, these players caught the music's spirit with effortless grace.” “The Bergen Quintet has dazzling technique and a fine sense of ensemble.” “Bergen Woodwind Quintet is still the best buy!” “Quintet's first number was music at its finest.” “The work has a driving intensity that was fully realized in Bergen Wind Quintet's performance. The group is made up of first class individual musicians who come together to create a homogenous ensemble and a stellar interpretation.” “Their high musical stature was in evidence from the first to the final note of a program that revealed their astonishing virtuosity coupled with superb ensemble musicianship.” “Fantastic sense of ensemble!” “Technical skill, togetherness and not least an ability to reproduce complicated musical passages in a vivid and epic way.” “Among the best in this genre in a long time.”
For booking inquiry please contact: Mr. Ma Ran
Chamber Music Oct 2010 - Bergen Woodwind Quintet 1 Chamber Music Oct 2010 - Bergen Woodwind Ouintet 2 Chamber Music Oct 2010 - Bergen Woodwind Quintet 3 Chamber Music Oct 2010 - Bergen Woodwind Quintet 4 Chamber Music Oct 2010 - Bergen Woodwind Quintet 5 Chamber Music Oct 2010 - Bergen Woodwind Quintet 6 |
“This music certainly demands the utmost in professional virtuosity, and these pieces are definitely serious and major contributions to the wind literature. Their challenges are met here with dizzying aplomb by this astonishing group, and you owe it to yourself to check this release out.”