Music
Podcast; Jean Sibelius – Finland’s musical genius
This is a Nordic Horizons podcast with a difference. It isn’t about policy, politics, climate change or kindergarten – it’s about culture. And the enduring cultural impact of a very exceptional Finn. Some clues. Which famous composer heard different musical notes when he glimpsed different colours? Which composer was at the heart of his country’s successful bid for independence but grew reluctant to have his early work performed to avoid being dismissed as ‘just a romantic nationalist’? And which composer inspired the creation of Finland’s largest wooden concert hall and the world’s first orchestral live-stream? The answer is Jean Sibelius, 1865-1957. This special podcast was recorded and produced by Nordic Horizons Director Lesley Riddoch on...Read More
Nordic Horizons guide to Celtic Connections 2020
So many fabulous Nordic performers are appearing at Celtic Connections in January 2020, it seemed a good idea to list them. Each year, Scotland’s largest traditional music festival presents a “showcase Scotland” partnership with a different nation. This year’s it’s Finland … so there are loads of performances featuring Finnish artists playing with top stars of the Scottish Trad Music scene. Get booking folks. Norway Jan 19th 7.30pm Mitchell Theatre Scots fiddler Sarah-Jane Summers is based in Norway, and is reprising Owerset, her New Voices commission that’s themed around Scots and Gaelic words originating in Old Norse. It features a six-piece ensemble on fiddles, trumpet, accordion, guitars and double bass. Sarah-Jane is playing with the fabulous Scots pianist, flautist and composer Hamis...Read More
Nordic at the Edinburgh Festivals
Here is some information about distinctly ‘Nordic’ performers appearing here in Edinburgh over the festival period. Leif Ove Andsnes (Norwegian) Norwegian pianist Leif Ove Andsnes is returning to the Edinburgh International Festival on 16 August only with music by two of the composers most dear to him. Norwegian pianist Leif Ove Andsnes is one of the most gifted musicians of his generation, his immaculate performances establishing a rapturous atmosphere with their clear-headed, penetrating interpretations. Thursday 16 August, 11am The Queen’s Hall Tickets: £8 – £29 p> Kåre Conradi Peer Gynt (Norwegian) Conradi brings his one man adaptation of Ibsen’s classic tale to the Edinburgh Fringe in 2012. Kåre stars in a one man exploration of ‘Peer Gynt’, a...Read More