Solistenes inntogsmarsj

The 2018–2019 season will be Nathalie Stutzmann’s first as chief conductor of the Kristiansand Symphony Orchestra. She has also invited world-renowned soloists to join her on stage. Here are some of the highlights.

Mark your calendar for August 30. That’s when the Kristiansand Symphony Orchestra’s newly appointed chief conductor, Nathalie Stutzmann, takes the podium, and it will be a festive evening with Wagner, Tchaikovsky, and Brahms on the program. Henning Kraggerud, who will become Kilden’s new Artist in Residence, will perform as soloist in Tchaikovsky’s Violin Concerto, one of the world’s most famous works. A work so difficult and physically demanding that two violinists had to withdraw ahead of the premiere in 1878. Kraggerud takes on the challenge with ease. He will perform four concerts throughout the season, including his own work, Equinox, on April 4, which will be a journey through keys and time zones.

In demand

“We’ve been looking forward to the opening night with Nathalie Stutzmann for a long time,” says program director Hans Bodin. He emphasizes what an asset it is for Kilden an arts center, for the symphony orchestra, and for the region that such a sought-after artist as Stutzmann has set her sights on Kristiansand.

“She is a highly sought-after conductor and opera singer all over the world. It is a great honor, and a testament to the orchestra’s merit, that she has chosen to take over as chief conductor here in Kristiansand,” says Bodin.

“The fact that there was instant chemistry between her and our young orchestra is a dream come true. Her own words, ‘I love this orchestra,’ still echo through the halls here from her last visit,” the program director emphasizes.

Geir Rebbestad, the new director of the Kristiansand Symphony Orchestra, agrees with Bodin’s observations. Like her, I am very impressed by the high standard the orchestra maintains. We will continue to work on finding the orchestra’s own signature sound in the time ahead. Among other things, we offer something truly unique through Kilden , a tool that can bring the orchestra to the whole world, says Rebbestad.

– As a contrast to all the wonderful, classical music we have in store, I’d like to mention *The Christmas Gospel*, a collaboration with Kilden featuring Thom Hell and Kim Rysstad. The director believes this could serve as an excellent introduction for anyone unfamiliar with the format and inspire them to delve deeper into the symphonic offerings of the coming year.

“The chemistry between me and the orchestra has been there from the very first moment.”

Nathalie Stutzmann, Principal Conductor of the Kristiansand Symphony Orchestra

Wide repertoire

– Throughout my first season as chief conductor, I have sought to present a wide range of my favorite repertoire, from Haydn, Mozart, Beethoven, Brahms, and Strauss, through Wagner, Tchaikovsky, and Dvořák, to the French composers Bizet and Ravel. “To further develop the chemistry I have with my musicians in the best possible way, we explore different styles together. Furthermore, we want to communicate with our audience in an open and diverse manner,” says Nathalie Stutzmann.

“I’ve selected famous works that have never been performed in Kristiansand before, and I’m really looking forward to the opening concert in August. Not to mention how exciting it will be to see Henning Kraggerud begin his permanent engagement,” she says.

World-class soloists and Principal Guest Conductor

The next concert where you can see Stutzmann is already on September 27. The program opens with Beethoven’s Piano Concerto No. 5, featuring none other than Swiss pianist Francesco Piemontesi, an award-winning soloist whose resume includes performances with the Cleveland Orchestra and the London Philharmonic Orchestra. The evening continues with contemporary composer Guillaume Connesson’s *Flammenschrift*. The concert concludes fittingly with Beethoven’s Symphony No. 5.

Stutzmann returns on February 7, and oboist Ramon Ortega Quero will also be performing in Kristiansand. Starting with the 2018–19 season, Ortega is the principal oboist of the Los Angeles Philharmonic Orchestra, a position for which very few Europeans have ever been considered.

“When soloists of Ortega’s caliber agree to perform Strauss in Kristiansand, that’s a good sign,” Bodin believes. “She attracts the world’s top stars; they want to play with her.”

The following week, on February 14, Stutzmann and Kraggerud return with a Valentine’s Day special, featuring Mozart’s Violin Concerto No. 5, Dvořák’s Romance, and Tchaikovsky’s Romeo and Juliet as highlights of this romantic program. Lithuanian violinist Julian Rachlin will treat us to Mozart at his finest on November 29. Starting with the 2018/19 season, Rachlin will take on the role of Principal Guest Conductor of the Kristiansand Symphony Orchestra.

Burned his own work

The program is packed with highlights throughout the season, and one worth mentioning is Johan Halvorsen’s Violin Concerto on November 8. It is said that the composer himself burned this piece, though for reasons unknown.

“He might not have liked it himself. Who knows. But what is certain is that a Canadian female soloist took it home with her, and it was found among her personal effects after her death. Once again, Kraggerud will be conducting the performance, and the evening will conclude with a celebration of a 175-year-old: Edvard Grieg. “And what could be more fitting than getting to know Peer Gynt better,” says Bodin. In addition, the famous piano concerto will be performed on November 15.

As it happens, there is another 175th anniversary to celebrate this season: An evening dedicated to Rimsky-Korsakov (b. 1844) is scheduled for March 28.

Rachlin is back to conduct the New Year’s concerts, which this season will be largely inspired by the televised concerts from Vienna. “With a Russian twist,” Bodin emphasizes. The concerts are titled “Vienna Greets Russia,” and in addition to the inevitable Strauss, we’ll be treated to gems by Tchaikovsky and virtuoso pieces by the eternally romantic Fritz Kreisler, with Julian Rachlin as soloist.

Jazz in konsertsalen Concert Hall

October 11 brings us closer to the blues, with an entire evening dedicated to jazz. Egil Kapstad’s *Empty Street* opens the program, followed by Ravel’s jazz-influenced *Piano Concerto in G*. After intermission, we’ll hear the rich chords of Gershwin’s *Variations on I Got Rhythm* and *Catfish Row*, the suite from *Porgy and Bess*.

“After the concert, the party continues with a jazz trio in the lobby,” Bodin reveals. “No need to go home early.”

– And that’s not all: on February 28, the seasoned jazz quartet Come Shine will spice up the evening with jazz alongside the symphony orchestra—a concert that’s also included in the subscription series. In other words, yet another good reason to get a concert subscription.

Spring 2019 – by Stutzmann

The season’s final two gala evenings, curated by Nathalie Stutzmann, are of course also worth noting right now. On May 9, the dramatic and emotional tones of Mozart’s Symphony No. 25 will fill the air, followed by two works by Brahms: the Tragic Overture and his brilliantly multifaceted Symphony No. 4.

For the closing concert on June 6, Nathalie has chosen Bizet’s two suites from *L’Arlésienne*, the music originally composed for the 1872 play *The Girl from Arles*. In this play, the girl from Arles does not appear on stage at all—only her suitors. The play flopped, possibly for that reason, after just 21 performances.

“But the music has stood the test of time. Well, not just stood the test of time, but become a classic,” explains Bodin.

Midway through, there’s a detour to the Czech Republic with Dvořák’s Slavonic Dances Nos. 1, 2, and 8, before the program returns to France, Nathalie’s homeland, and one of her favorite composers, Maurice Ravel, with his Menuet Antique—a tribute to Emmanuel Chabrier, who helped launch Ravel’s career in its early days. Then we’ll hear “Un Barque sur l’Ocean” and, finally, “La Valse.” With Ravel’s dark, signature piece ringing in our ears, we’ll all likely head into the June night with a hope for a speedy reunion.

"The program is packed with gems throughout the season."

Hans Bodin, Program Director, Kristiansand Symphony Orchestra

Text Amund Hestsveen