Two of Norway’s finest ensembles; Ensemble Allegria and Oslo Kammerakademi unite in a superb orchestral collaboration, performing Mendelssohn’s 4th symphony in November.
The wind ensemble Oslo Kammerakademi and the string orchestra Ensemble Allegria have both specialized in playing without conductors for years. Their outstanding artistic leaders, oboist David Friedemann Strunck and violinist Maria Angelika Carlsen enable their fellow musicians to play chamber music in a grand format: They create an environment where every single musician is really important, like participants in a great conversation, shifting between leading and following each other.
The two ensembles started their journey together in 2021, performing Brahms’ magnificent Serenade no. 1. This year, they dive into another master piece: Felix Mendelssohn’s fourth symphony in A major, also known as ‘the italian’. It is among Mendelssohn’s most popular pieces, and he started composing this when he was on a trip to Italia. From his letter home to his father, we can clearly see his excitement, which is very much present in this vital piece of music:
This is Italy! And now has begun what I have always thought ... to be the supreme joy in life. And I am loving it. Today was so rich that now, in the evening, I must collect myself a little, and so I am writing to you to thank you, dear parents, for having given me all this happiness.
In February he wrote from Rome to his sister Fanny:
The Italian symphony is making great progress. It will be the jolliest piece I have ever done, especially the last movement.
American composer Caroline Shaw (b. 1982) wrote her piece Entr’ Acte after hearing Joseph Haydn’s string quartet Op. 77 no. 2. She was so mezmerised by the transtition from the menuet to the trio that she wrote a whole piece based on that specific moment. This piece will be performed in a version for string orchestra by Ensemble Allegria.
In the Oslo concert, november 19th, Oslo Kammerakademi will give the first perfomance of the brand new piece ‘Errante’ by Henrik Hellstenius. This piece is heavily inspired by Richard Strauss’ ‘Metamorphosen’
Program
Ludwig van Beethoven (1770-1827): Rondino i Ess-dur (only November 18th)
Henrik Hellstenius (f. 1963): Errante (2023) for wind octet and double bass (world premiere november 19th)
Caroline Shaw (f. 1982): Entr'acte (2011) for strykeorkester
Felix Mendelssohn (1809—1847): Symfoni nr. 4, op. 90 i A-dur "Den italienske"
Tickets 18.11
Tickets will be sold by the entrance of Ski nye kirke.
NOK 200, children under 16: free entrance