Sibbe Live!: Grieg & Sibelius

Haugtussa is an epic circle of poems written by the Norwegian author Arne Garborg (1851–1924) in nynorsk language. The 1895 work is thought as a staple of Norwegian neo-romanticism and symbolism. The poems tell the story of a young shepherd girl Haugtussa, and her first love and heartaches.

The composer Edvard Grieg (1843–1907) became interested in Garborg’s circle of poems and composed a song cycle for soprano and piano based on the work in 1895 (publ. 1898). Even though Grieg wrote plenty of songs, this is the only song cycle of his oeuvre.

The concert also features Ballade in G minor by Grieg, which is thought to be his most important piano piece.
The composition consists of one theme and 14 variations. The theme is based on a valdresian folk song Den Nordlandske Bondestand.

The programme is completed with a selection of songs by Jean Sibelius.

Thormod Rønning Kvam is establishing himself among great young Scandinavian pianists. Milestones of the last few years include concerts at Wigmore Hall in London, the main stage of Norway National Opera, the Grünewald Hall of Stockholm’s Concert Hall, Harpa in Reykjavik, the new Munch Museum ja Hardanger Music Festival.

Melis Jaatinen, a Finnish-Turkish mezzo-soprano living in Norway, is known as a versatile singer who has established herself in the Nordic concert arenas. In 2022 Melis released her first album "Impression du Nord - Nordic songs" together with pianist Juho Alakärpää. The album contains songs by Nordic composers inspired by French Impressionism.

Tickets 15€/12€, doors 18.30.

NB. Concert tickets cannot be bought with the Museum Card.