Winner of the Critics' Award for Music

Image of a symphony orchestra and choir on a stage.

Kristiansand Symphony Orchestra, together with composer Rolf Gupta and conductor Peter Szilvay, has won the Critics' Prize for the work The Song of the Earth.

This was revealed in the live broadcast from the House of Literature in Oslo, Thursday, September 17.

- This is fantastic news and it is a great honor for the orchestra to win this award together with Rolf and Peter. It makes me extra proud that this was a local collaboration. The nomination says something about the quality that exists in the local community here," says Director of KSO, Geir Rebbestad.

In addition to a large orchestra, the work involved the Free Church Chamber Choir, Kilden Vocal Ensemble, the Cathedral Boys' Choir, the Kristiansand Opera Choir and soloists Lydia Mahnkopf and Florian Almedal Sillitoe.

This is the first time the Kristiansand Symphony Orchestra has won the Critics' Award. Rolf Gupta won in 2006, for his performance of Beethoven's Eroica Symphony with the Norwegian Radio Orchestra.

An exemplary example

Magnus Andersson, music critic at Klassekampen, gave the speech during the award ceremony. He said, among other things:

- The commissioning of The Song of the Earth is an exemplary example of how it is possible to facilitate the renewal of symphonic art, and with a work that struck a chord with the audience, who responded with a standing ovation.

Read the full speech from the award ceremony

Voted by the country's critics

Each year, the Norwegian Critics' Association's Section for Theatre, Music and Dance awards one critics' prize for theatre, one for music and one for dance. Each award honors an outstanding, vibrant artistic presentation, chosen by the country's critics.

More about Earth's song: