Dvorak-Evening
-The melodic soul of romantisism-
The experience:
This concert is the first of the autumn's program at Børsen. On the program is music by Antonin Dvorak featuring his Piano Quintet in A major, Op. 81, as the evening's main piece. The Piano Quintet in A major is an excellent example of his ability to blend his Czech heritage with the romantic style, and it continues to captivate the audience with its beauty and depth. Whether you are an experienced classical music enthusiast or a beginner in the genre, Dvořák's Piano Quintet in A major promises an unforgettable musical journey.
The quintet consists of four movements; the first movement, Allegro ma non troppo, is energetic, rhythmic, and vital. The 2nd movement, Dumka: Andante con moto; 'Dumka' refers to a type of Slavic folk ballad, and this movement truly reflects folk influences. It moves through various emotions, from longing to moments of drama and intensity, creating a tapestry of feelings that captures the listener's attention. Next is the Scherzo (Furiant): Molto vivace: This movement is a playful and energetic scherzo in the form of a traditional Czech dance. The music dances and sparkles with rhythmic flair and lively melodies. It's a whirlwind of emotions, demonstrating Dvořák's talent for blending folk elements into his compositions while maintaining his romantic style.
Finale: Allegro: The final movement is a triumphant conclusion to the quintet. It starts with a lively theme that develops into a series of variations. The movement is characterized by dynamic contrasts and liveliness.
But that's not all; the concert also opens with Dvorak's "Three Pieces for Violin and Piano." The pieces include the 'Gypsy Song,' Slavic Dance, and Romantic Piece. They are beautiful, melancholic, virtuosic, and heartfelt...
So, dear music enthusiasts, mark your calendars and join us for an evening of pure musical enchantment."
Where:
"The Børsen building is located at Bragernes Square and was inaugurated in 1871. The Stock Exchange Hall is a very beautiful hall and provides the finest surroundings to experience acoustic music. Børsen has been at the center of royal visits and significant official receptions in Drammen. Both King Haakon, King Olav, and King Harald have been guests in the venue.
The setting fort he Børsen concerts is atmospheric, and in addition to experiencing music, it's possible to purchase drinks before the concert and during the intermission. The doors to the hall open approximately 15 minutes before the concert begins."
The performers:
Jorunn Marie Bratlie, piano. Since her debut concert at the age of 15, Jorunn Marie Bratlie has enjoyed a nearly 50-year-long career as a performing pianist, with extensive activities as a soloist, accompanist, and chamber musician. In addition to concerts all over Norway, she has performed in the USA, Germany, England, Spain, Romania, Sweden, the Faroe Islands, China, and more. She has been a soloist with our largest symphony orchestras in key works from the piano repertoire and has performed as a soloist in premieres with the Oslo Philharmonic Orchestra and at the Bergen International Festival with the Bergen Philharmonic Orchestra.
She has been involved in numerous festivals in Norway and abroad, and at one point, she was the youngest soloist in Grieg's Piano Concerto during the Bergen International Festival. She has been part of many major productions for radio and TV and has participated in around twenty recording projects. Over the years, she has delved into Norwegian music from various eras. This has resulted in her own CD featuring music by Norwegian female composers, a triple CD of Norwegian neoclassical music, music for two pianos, and many recordings in collaboration with violinists, singers, and pianists. She is employed as a professor of piano and accompaniment at the Norwegian Academy of Music.
Catherine Bullock
She is a solo violist in the Oslo Philharmonic Orchestra and the Norwegian Chamber Orchestra. She has previously held solo positions in the London Philharmonic Orchestra, the Scottish Chamber Orchestra, and Camerata Nordica. Additionally, she has been a soloist with several orchestras including the Kristiansand Symphony Orchestra, the Norwegian Chamber Orchestra, and the Oslo Philharmonic Orchestra, under conductors such as André Previn, Marin Alsop, and Herbert Blomstedt. In 2013, she was a soloist at the Proms. She has recorded multiple CDs for Simax. Catherine plays a Guadagnini viola from Dextra Music.
Patrycja Blaszak-Bienkunska, violin. Born and raised in Poland, in 2016 she completed her studies with distinction in Poland, and in 2019, she earned a master's degree in performance violin from the Norwegian Academy of Music under the guidance of Detlef Hahn. She is an active chamber and orchestral musician. Patrycja distinguished herself as a prize winner and finalist in several violin and chamber music competitions in Europe. During her studies in Norway, Patrycja was a scholarship holder in the Oslo Philharmonic Orchestra and at NYU Strings Across the Atlantic in New York City. In recent years, Patrycja has performed as a soloist and chamber musician at events like the Classix Festival in Romania, the 9 Hills Festival in Poland, and the European Chamber Music Academy in Austria. In 2022, along with the Encore Piano Trio, Patrycja initiated her own concert series called ENCORE. In her daily work, she is a freelance musician with ensembles such as the Oslo Philharmonic, the Telemark Chamber Orchestra, Ensemble Allegria, and the Norwegian National Opera.
Birgitte Stærnes, violin. "In recent years, she has given numerous concerts in Norway, Svalbard, France, Spain, Denmark, Estonia, the Canary Islands, Italy, Czech Republic, and Russia. She has participated in various festivals, including the Bergen International Festival, the Northern Lights Festival, the Vestfold Festival, the Celloarte Festival, and Classica & Dintorni. Her concert at the Brighton Festival was hailed by critics as 'the most exciting music on the festival.' In 1997, she formed the duo A Corda with guitarist Martin Haug. The duo has since performed numerous concerts both nationally and internationally, recording four CDs with repertoire ranging from Spanish and Latin American to classical chamber music, performing across the world in places like Europe, China, Brazil, and Uruguay.
Birgitte Stærnes has graced prestigious venues such as Rudolfinum in Prague, Rachmaninov Hall in Moscow, Salle Cortot in Paris, Wigmore Hall, and Purcell Room in London. In 1998, Birgitte released her debut CD featuring works by Christian Sinding alongside pianist Jorunn Marie Bratlie. In 2002, she released a CD featuring two new pieces composed for her by Terje Rypdal. Her CD featuring works by Johan Halvorsen was released in the spring of 2012 and received excellent reviews, including from 'The Strad' and other international magazines. She won the 1st prize at the Rotterdam International Violin Competition in 1989. Her debut concert at the University Aula in Oslo took place in 1991. Birgitte Stærnes has been honored with the Yamaha Prize for string players (1992), the Ticon Prize (1997), and in 1998, she received the Norwegian State's one-year working grant for young artists. In 2015, she received the Norwegian State's three-year working grant. She started playing the violin at the age of 6 and performed as a soloist with an orchestra for the first time when she was 12 years old. Birgitte Stærnes is the artistic director of the Johan Halvorsen Music Festival. She plays a violin made by Lorenzo e Tomasso Carcassi, Florence 1748. In June 2023, she became theArtist of Viken 2023.
Marek Bienkunski holds bachelor's and master's degrees in cello from the Nowowiejski Music Academy, where he studied under Andrzej Bauer and Bartosz Koziak, earning distinction. Concurrently, he completed his master's degree at the Norwegian Academy of Music in Oslo under the guidance of Aage Kvalbein and Audun Sandvik. Marek has won several awards in international and national competitions. He is an active soloist and chamber musician, participating in numerous festivals, including Ultima Festival, Nordland Music Festival, Oslo Quartet Series (with Quatuor Mosaïques), Aurora Festival (Sweden), "Łańcuch" X (grant from Witold Lutosławski Society), 9 Hills Festival (Poland), ClassiX Festival (Romania), and others.
He regularly collaborates with ensembles such as the Oslo Philharmonic Orchestra, the Norwegian Radio Orchestra, the Oslo Opera Orchestra, the Bergen Philharmonic Orchestra, the Göteborg Opera, the Trondheim Symphony Orchestra, Ensemble Allegria, the Folketeateret ensemble, the Telemark Chamber Orchestra, and more."
This concert is the first of the autumn's program at Børsen. On the program is music by Antonin Dvorak featuring his Piano Quintet in A major, Op. 81, as the evening's main piece. The Piano Quintet in A major is an excellent example of his ability to blend his Czech heritage with the romantic style, and it continues to captivate the audience with its beauty and depth. Whether you are an experienced classical music enthusiast or a beginner in the genre, Dvořák's Piano Quintet in A major promises an unforgettable musical journey.
The quintet consists of four movements; the first movement, Allegro ma non troppo, is energetic, rhythmic, and vital. The 2nd movement, Dumka: Andante con moto; 'Dumka' refers to a type of Slavic folk ballad, and this movement truly reflects folk influences. It moves through various emotions, from longing to moments of drama and intensity, creating a tapestry of feelings that captures the listener's attention. Next is the Scherzo (Furiant): Molto vivace: This movement is a playful and energetic scherzo in the form of a traditional Czech dance. The music dances and sparkles with rhythmic flair and lively melodies. It's a whirlwind of emotions, demonstrating Dvořák's talent for blending folk elements into his compositions while maintaining his romantic style.
Finale: Allegro: The final movement is a triumphant conclusion to the quintet. It starts with a lively theme that develops into a series of variations. The movement is characterized by dynamic contrasts and liveliness.
But that's not all; the concert also opens with Dvorak's "Three Pieces for Violin and Piano." The pieces include the 'Gypsy Song,' Slavic Dance, and Romantic Piece. They are beautiful, melancholic, virtuosic, and heartfelt...
So, dear music enthusiasts, mark your calendars and join us for an evening of pure musical enchantment."
Where:
"The Børsen building is located at Bragernes Square and was inaugurated in 1871. The Stock Exchange Hall is a very beautiful hall and provides the finest surroundings to experience acoustic music. Børsen has been at the center of royal visits and significant official receptions in Drammen. Both King Haakon, King Olav, and King Harald have been guests in the venue.
The setting fort he Børsen concerts is atmospheric, and in addition to experiencing music, it's possible to purchase drinks before the concert and during the intermission. The doors to the hall open approximately 15 minutes before the concert begins."
The performers:
Jorunn Marie Bratlie, piano. Since her debut concert at the age of 15, Jorunn Marie Bratlie has enjoyed a nearly 50-year-long career as a performing pianist, with extensive activities as a soloist, accompanist, and chamber musician. In addition to concerts all over Norway, she has performed in the USA, Germany, England, Spain, Romania, Sweden, the Faroe Islands, China, and more. She has been a soloist with our largest symphony orchestras in key works from the piano repertoire and has performed as a soloist in premieres with the Oslo Philharmonic Orchestra and at the Bergen International Festival with the Bergen Philharmonic Orchestra.
She has been involved in numerous festivals in Norway and abroad, and at one point, she was the youngest soloist in Grieg's Piano Concerto during the Bergen International Festival. She has been part of many major productions for radio and TV and has participated in around twenty recording projects. Over the years, she has delved into Norwegian music from various eras. This has resulted in her own CD featuring music by Norwegian female composers, a triple CD of Norwegian neoclassical music, music for two pianos, and many recordings in collaboration with violinists, singers, and pianists. She is employed as a professor of piano and accompaniment at the Norwegian Academy of Music.
Catherine Bullock
She is a solo violist in the Oslo Philharmonic Orchestra and the Norwegian Chamber Orchestra. She has previously held solo positions in the London Philharmonic Orchestra, the Scottish Chamber Orchestra, and Camerata Nordica. Additionally, she has been a soloist with several orchestras including the Kristiansand Symphony Orchestra, the Norwegian Chamber Orchestra, and the Oslo Philharmonic Orchestra, under conductors such as André Previn, Marin Alsop, and Herbert Blomstedt. In 2013, she was a soloist at the Proms. She has recorded multiple CDs for Simax. Catherine plays a Guadagnini viola from Dextra Music.
Patrycja Blaszak-Bienkunska, violin. Born and raised in Poland, in 2016 she completed her studies with distinction in Poland, and in 2019, she earned a master's degree in performance violin from the Norwegian Academy of Music under the guidance of Detlef Hahn. She is an active chamber and orchestral musician. Patrycja distinguished herself as a prize winner and finalist in several violin and chamber music competitions in Europe. During her studies in Norway, Patrycja was a scholarship holder in the Oslo Philharmonic Orchestra and at NYU Strings Across the Atlantic in New York City. In recent years, Patrycja has performed as a soloist and chamber musician at events like the Classix Festival in Romania, the 9 Hills Festival in Poland, and the European Chamber Music Academy in Austria. In 2022, along with the Encore Piano Trio, Patrycja initiated her own concert series called ENCORE. In her daily work, she is a freelance musician with ensembles such as the Oslo Philharmonic, the Telemark Chamber Orchestra, Ensemble Allegria, and the Norwegian National Opera.
Birgitte Stærnes, violin. "In recent years, she has given numerous concerts in Norway, Svalbard, France, Spain, Denmark, Estonia, the Canary Islands, Italy, Czech Republic, and Russia. She has participated in various festivals, including the Bergen International Festival, the Northern Lights Festival, the Vestfold Festival, the Celloarte Festival, and Classica & Dintorni. Her concert at the Brighton Festival was hailed by critics as 'the most exciting music on the festival.' In 1997, she formed the duo A Corda with guitarist Martin Haug. The duo has since performed numerous concerts both nationally and internationally, recording four CDs with repertoire ranging from Spanish and Latin American to classical chamber music, performing across the world in places like Europe, China, Brazil, and Uruguay.
Birgitte Stærnes has graced prestigious venues such as Rudolfinum in Prague, Rachmaninov Hall in Moscow, Salle Cortot in Paris, Wigmore Hall, and Purcell Room in London. In 1998, Birgitte released her debut CD featuring works by Christian Sinding alongside pianist Jorunn Marie Bratlie. In 2002, she released a CD featuring two new pieces composed for her by Terje Rypdal. Her CD featuring works by Johan Halvorsen was released in the spring of 2012 and received excellent reviews, including from 'The Strad' and other international magazines. She won the 1st prize at the Rotterdam International Violin Competition in 1989. Her debut concert at the University Aula in Oslo took place in 1991. Birgitte Stærnes has been honored with the Yamaha Prize for string players (1992), the Ticon Prize (1997), and in 1998, she received the Norwegian State's one-year working grant for young artists. In 2015, she received the Norwegian State's three-year working grant. She started playing the violin at the age of 6 and performed as a soloist with an orchestra for the first time when she was 12 years old. Birgitte Stærnes is the artistic director of the Johan Halvorsen Music Festival. She plays a violin made by Lorenzo e Tomasso Carcassi, Florence 1748. In June 2023, she became theArtist of Viken 2023.
Marek Bienkunski holds bachelor's and master's degrees in cello from the Nowowiejski Music Academy, where he studied under Andrzej Bauer and Bartosz Koziak, earning distinction. Concurrently, he completed his master's degree at the Norwegian Academy of Music in Oslo under the guidance of Aage Kvalbein and Audun Sandvik. Marek has won several awards in international and national competitions. He is an active soloist and chamber musician, participating in numerous festivals, including Ultima Festival, Nordland Music Festival, Oslo Quartet Series (with Quatuor Mosaïques), Aurora Festival (Sweden), "Łańcuch" X (grant from Witold Lutosławski Society), 9 Hills Festival (Poland), ClassiX Festival (Romania), and others.
He regularly collaborates with ensembles such as the Oslo Philharmonic Orchestra, the Norwegian Radio Orchestra, the Oslo Opera Orchestra, the Bergen Philharmonic Orchestra, the Göteborg Opera, the Trondheim Symphony Orchestra, Ensemble Allegria, the Folketeateret ensemble, the Telemark Chamber Orchestra, and more."
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E-mail: birgitte@johanhalvorsen.no
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Adresse: Kaspara Larsens vei 11,
3027 Drammen |
Tlf: 92466375/ 92648860
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