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Experience Kristine Tjøgersens new piece inspired by the scent after rain at this years Ultima Festival in Oslo - We invite you to a mini concert at Sentralen on Friday September 12th!

Kristine Tjøgersen. Foto: Anna-Julia Granberg // Blunderbuss

NB! THIS IS A MINI CONCERT OF APPROX. 30 MINUTES, FOLLOWED BY AN AFTER TALK OF APPROX 30 MINUTES.

THIS IS PART OF THE OFFICIAL PROGRAM FOR ULTIMA MUSIC FESTIVAL. WE STRONGLY RECOMMEND TO COMBINE THIS CONCERT WITH OTHER EXPERIENCES DURING THE FESTIVAL - SEE THE FULL PROGRAM ON THEIR WEBSITE:

Kristine Tjøgersen is one of the most interesting Norwegian composers of our time, and the only Norwegian recipient of the very prestigous Ernst von Siemens Music Award, which she received in May this year. Among former recipients we find great names like Benjamin Britten, Olivier Messiaen, Karlheinz Stockhausen and Leonard Bernstein.

Her new piece for strings is strongly inspired by scent, and in particular the scent that fills the air after a rainfall: Petrichor. The human senses are especialy sensible to this specific scent, which to most of us is easily recognized. In the same way, the musical landscape of the piece will give us recognizable patterns, built on a strong inspiration from nature.

‘Petrichor’ is written for Ensemble Allegria, and the piece was premiered during Bergen International Festival in May 2025.

‘Petrichor’ will be conducted by Rasmus Hella Mikkelsen, one of Norway’s most promising young conductors. Rasmus is participating in Talent Norway’s elite program for conductors, and from the 2025-2026 season he will be the assistant conductor ofgBergen Philharmonic Orchestra, as well as giving debut concerts with both the Norwegian Radio Orchestra and Kristiansand Symphony Orchestra.

Rasmus Hella Mikkelsen. Foto: Nikolaj Lund