Scan Magazine | Special Theme | Norwegian Festivals Not to Miss in 2018
World-class chamber musicians gather in Oslo With music from the Middle Ages and all the way up until today, Oslo Chamber Music Festival hosts concerts in a range of very different arenas. This year, it welcomes some of the top international musicians, who will perform in 25 different concerts on 17-26 August. By Line Elise Svanevik | Photos: Lars Opstad
“We bring some of the biggest international stars and artists to Oslo and invite people to attend their concerts in unique and intimate venues across the city,” says Kristin Slørdahl, CEO of Oslo Chamber Music Festival. With around 8,000 visitors annually, the festival is attracting an increasing number of people from both Europe and America every year. Initiator Arve Tellefsen – one of Norway’s top musicians – chose to launch the festival back in 1989 to display the diversity of chamber music. Next year, they will be celebrating their 30th anniversary. This year’s line-up includes Norwegian classical violinist Vilde Frang – one of the best young violinists in Europe – who will
bring some great artists with her to the festival. It will kick off on 17 August in the University Aula (the assembly hall) with Frang on violin, Austrian drummer and multi-percussionist Martin Grubinger, Hungarian violinist Barnabás Kelemen and German cellist Nicolas Altstaedt.“ The Norwegian Chamber Orchestra will also be performing, making it a powerful
Norway’s coolest rock festival With big national and international bands in the line-up, Norway Rock Festival has firmly established itself on the Norwegian festival scene. Beautifully located on a field in Kvinesdal with idyllic scenery and an intimate setting, it is easy to see why rock fans and metal heads come back year after year. “While Tons of Rock is the largest rock festival in Norway, we sure are the coolest,” says head promoter and booking manager Kjell Arne Aamodt and smiles. He runs the non-profit festival alongside other music enthusiasts and volunteers. After a trip to Sweden Rock Festival in 2005, Aamodt decided that this was just what was needed in southern Norway. The first festival, then called Kvinesdal Rock Festival, was held later that year and was
Great atmosphere in the crowd. Photo: Svein Erik Nomeland
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an even bigger hit than expected. In 2008, the organisation changed its name to Norway Rock Festival for a fresh start. “We are back stronger with experience from previous years, making sure that the festival is how we always envisioned it to be,” says Aamodt. This year’s line-up includes big names such as Nightwish, Accept, Avatar and In This Moment, the latter playing their first ever gig in Norway. More names will be an-
Accept. Press photo
opening concert,” says Slørdahl. “From then on, the concerts will happen one after the other, with the musicians named above in addition to German pianist Alexander Lonquich. We will also welcome one of the most renowned string quartets in Europe, Hagen Kvartetten.” 26 August will see a trip to Eidsvoll, and this year’s festival is sure to be just as ground-breaking and powerful as the years prior. Web: www.oslokammermusikkfestival.no
By Ingrid Opstad
nounced soon, including the big Saturday headliners. With its different stages, spacious camping area and parking all in the one space, Norway Rock Festival has the perfect atmosphere according to Aamodt. “Several of our greatest artists are amazed when they arrive, seeing the salmon jumping while the sun is shining over the mountains to the sound of rock ‘n’ roll.” Web: www.norwayrocklive.no Facebook: norwayrock Twitter: @NorwayRock Instagram: @norwayrocklive
Nightwish, one of the headliners. Photo: Tim Tronckoe