Grieghallen, Edvard Griegs plass 1, 5015 Bergen

Thursday, September 26 at 19.30

Six choirs and a large orchestra celebrate spring, love and good food and drink in Orff's Carmina Burana, and Dag Jensen, one of the world's leading bassoonists, premieres Olav Berg's Bassoon Concerto.

"O Fortuna!" opens Carl Orff's spectacular masterpiece Carmina Burana, probably the most performed choral work of modern times. The musical expression of the work alternates between choral sections with powerful, primitive rhythms and simple harmonies to sections characterized by Gregorian church music and German folk music. The lyrics celebrate spring, youth, love, eroticism and praise good food and drink.

Tonight's soloist, Dag Jensen, is one of the world's leading bassoonists, and was engaged as contrabassoonist in the Bergen Philharmonic Orchestra at the age of 16. After a short time, he was promoted to alternate solo bassoonist. He then moved to Germany where he has been solo bassoonist in several orchestras. Jensen has recorded several CDs and is active as a soloist and chamber musician as well as a teacher. He has had a particularly fruitful collaboration with the composer Olav Berg, and has performed several of his works.

"A textbook example of bassoon virtuosity that spreads good vibes. Absolutely recommended!", writes German Klassik.Heute about Jensen's recording of Berg's concert.
Aziz Shokhakimov opens the evening's concert with perhaps the most famous movement from Berlioz's Romeo and Juliet, the Fairy Queen Mab's scherzo. The entire dramatic symphony will be performed under the baton of Sir Mark Elder in April 2025.

Aziz Shokakimov - conductor

Sarah Aristidou - soprano

Lawrence Zazzo - countertenor

Andrei Bondarenko - baritone

Dag Jensen - bassoon

Bergen Philharmonic Choir

Edvard Grieg Choir

Edvard Grieg Youth Choir

Edvard Grieg Girls' Choir

Edvard Grieg Boys Choir

Choir from Bergen Private Gymnas

Håkon Matti Skrede - choirmaster

Bergen Philharmonic Orchestra

PROGRAM:

Hector Berlioz - Queen Mab's scherzo, from Romeo and Juliet

Olav Berg - Bassoon concerto (world premiere)

Carl Orff - Carmina Burana