The Arctic Philharmonic Takes Its Music to Europe
The Arctic Philharmonic is bringing the sound of the Arctic to Amsterdam and Papenburg this summer. (Photo: Marthe Mølstre)
The world's northernmost orchestra, the Arctic Philharmonic, is bringing its northern sounds to some of Europe's most prestigious venues this summer. "Going on tour gives us the opportunity to share a piece of the Arctic with a whole new audience," says Director Trud Berg.
The Arctic Philharmonic is based in Bodø and Tromsø, Northern Norway, and is the world's northernmost orchestra. The orchestra plays over 200 shows and concerts in their hometowns and on tour both domestically and abroad.
The Philharmonic also covers the islands of Svalbard, playing in Longyearbyen annually. In addition, their home region is part of Sapmi, the country of the Sami people, and its music draws inspiration from Indigenous culture.
Violinist Eldbjørg Hemsing. (Photo: Gregor Hohenberg)
This year, the sounds of the Arctic can be enjoyed further south on the continent. In August, the orchestra will visit the Concertgebouw in Amsterdam, Musikkfest Bremen, and the Elbphilharmonie in Hamburg, accompanied by soloist Eldbjørg Hemsing.
The audience at these venues will be presented with an award-winning repertoire inspired by the Arctic region.
The orchestra will be performing parts of their signature piece, “The Sound of the Arctic” by Lasse Thoresen, as well as excerpts from the album “Arctic”, a collaboration with Eldbjørg Hemsing released in 2023. The Latter received the prestigious Opus Klassik award, while the former was nominated for a Grammy award upon its release in 2019.
Yet, this is not the orchestra's first time abroad. Despite being formed only recently, in 2009, the Arctic Philharmonic has already toured destinations such as Japan, China, and Vienna's renowned Musikverein.
Our region and identity are very important to us.
Trud Berg, Director of the Arctic Philharmonic. (Photo: Marius Fiskum)
"It is an honor to be playing at these wonderful venues, and we are very excited," says Director Trud Berg.
"Our region and identity are very important to us, and we are proud to be performing music which means so much to us," she adds.
The “Arctic” album features music by Jacob Shea, Henning Sommero, Edvard Grieg, and Einojuhani Rautavaara, amongst others.
The Norwegian composer Frode Fjellheim has also contributed pieces inspired by joik, the traditional song of the Sami people. Eldbjørg Hemsing herself has described the album as a “highly diverse sort of film score for the concert hall”.
Berg highlights the value of bringing the Arctic to new people, showcasing the beauty of the North to the people in the South.
"Going on tour means a lot to us. It gives us the chance to grow and gain valuable experiences. It also gives us the opportunity to share a piece of the Arctic with a whole new audience, and those moments are always precious," she says.
The Arctic Philharmonic will perform at the Concertgebouw in Amsterdam on August 16th and at Musikfest Bremen in Papenburg on August 19th.
