2_3_ScanMagazine_Issue_81_Oct-Nov_2015_Scan Magazine 1 15/10/2015 21:37 Page 118
Scan Magazine | Attraction of the Month | Norway
Attraction of the Month, Norway
Bringing arctic music to the world The Arctic Philharmonic, the world’s northernmost orchestra, presents something rather exotic with its arctic origins in northern Norway. In addition to its passion for music, the orchestra takes its role as a cultural beacon seriously – both in northern Norway and globally. Their new opera production this autumn, NORA – too late, epitomises this spirit.
the chamber orchestra and the full philharmonic orchestra. “This flexibility gives us a special edge and allows us to perform various styles of music across the whole region,” Peterson adds.
By Maria Lanza Knudsen | Photos: Norwegian Arctic Philharmonic Orchestra
A cultural beacon in the north Today, the orchestra has become one of northern Norway’s largest and most active cultural institutions. In 2015 alone, the organisation is poised to play 150 concerts in northern Norway and four concerts abroad, at the prestigious concert halls Musikverein in Vienna and Grosses Festspielhaus in Salzburg.
The Arctic Philharmonic was founded in 2009, which makes it the world’s youngest orchestra. Based in the two Norwegian Arctic cities of Bodø and Tromsø, it has the whole northern region as its home, performing frequently in venues from Mosjøen in the south all the way to Longyearbyen on Spitsbergen in the north. “Its rarity lies in its flexible and innovate structure divided between two cities – an unusual and modern approach that does, of course, present some logistical challenges,” explains Aggie Peterson, the Arc-
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tic Philharmonic’s communications manager. The orchestra produces full-scale opera performances and can alternate between different ensemble formats such as small chamber groups, the sinfonietta,
The Arctic Philharmonic’s roots in northern Norway have played a strong role in shaping the orchestra, its passion and mindset. “The Arctic lies at the core of both the visual and the artistic profile of the Arctic Philharmonic,” Peterson explains.