2_9_ScanMag_72_Jan_2015_Text_Q10_Scan Magazine 1 09/01/2015 22:45 Page 41
Scan Magazine | Special Theme | Festivals in Norway
RISØR CHAMBER MUSIC FESTIVAL When: 23 – 28 June 2015 Where: Risør (240 km southwest of Oslo), Norway Artists 2015: Leif Ove Andsnes, Joshua Bell, Martin Fröst, Johannes Moser, Jostein Gaarder, Marianne Schirinyan, Vilde Frang, Alessio Bax, Tora Augestad, Golda Schultz, Norwegian Chamber Orchestra Artistic directors: Henning Kraggerud, Lars Anders Tomter Closest airports: Kristiansand/Kjevik (110 km), Sandefjord/Torp (132 km) Stay: Risør Hotel, Det lille Hotel, Lyngør bokhotell, Kragerø Resort Combine a picturesque Norwegian city, organisers in the know and personally evolving musical dialogue, and you get Risør Chamber Music Festival.
profile would not be complete without the inclusion of local and younger talents. As much as the festival has become famous for inviting the world of chamber music to little Risør, it has been commended for offering aspiring musicians a chance to mingle with the professionals and make music together with them. “Most music festivals would never do this. Here we mix young Norwegian music talents with international stars, and they make up their own ensembles here on the spot. It’s a conscious and very appreciated initiative; it creates closeness and intimacy among musicians, and it’s also attractive for them as a practising method.” Chiming harmonies and young talent Kise Larsen explains that the inclusive musical atmosphere makes the whole of Risør chime with harmonies – musical works that can even be appreciated while walking down the streets. This, he says, is a formidable way of also including the audience in the music-making. “Audience members are truly and most definitely part of making Risør Chamber Music Festival what it is. In the greater scheme of things we have been determined in not limiting this notion to the duration of the
festival, offering young locals the opportunity to engage in music through their schools and special workshops throughout the year.” He adds: “It’s important for us to inspire young people to use music actively in their lives – making them aware of their talents and motivating them to create.”
tional – it’s a memory to treasure for a lifetime. Add a picturesque Norwegian city, organisers in the know and personally evolving musical dialogue, and you’ll find it difficult not to come back. For more information, please visit: www.kammermusikkfest.no
Yet another way the festival has done this is through the risørUNG initiative. This festival-within-a-festival aims to unveil and promote classical music to a younger audience, and it always attracts a high level of musicians. “Young people today have a constantly developing set of expectations when it comes to music,” explains Kise Larsen. “Through this mini festival we attract young people between the ages of 18 and 25, and we create a programme that aims to challenge these expectations and broaden their musical horizons.” All in all, Risør Chamber Music Festival offers a comprehensive and exceptional experience of some of the world’s best music. Getting close to the best of the best, so close that you can feel the music vibrating through you, is not only excep-
Issue 72 | January 2015 | 41