Tag: Dmitry Shostokovich

DEBUT ALBUM ENTERING GERMAN TOP 20 CHARTS

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Borgström violin concerto and Shostakovich violin concerto no. 1

With her solo debut recording Eldbjørg Hemsing entered the Top 20 of the German Classic Charts of May 2018, representing the timeframe from April 13 until May 10, 2018. The album which has been released as high-resolution (SA)CD on the acclaimed Swedish label BIS is featuring violin concertos by Hjalmar Borgström and Dmitri Shostakovich, recorded with the Vienna Symphony Orchestra and Olari Elts.

  1. Ludovico Einaudi – Elements
  2. Katja Riemann, Lucas & Arthur Jussen – Saint-Saëns: Der Karneval der Tiere
  3. Riccardo Muti & Wiener Philharmoniker – Neujahrskonzert 2018
  4. Tōnu Kaljuste & NFM Wrocław Philharmonic – Arvo Pärt: The Symphonies
  5. Ludovico Einaudi – Islands | Essential Einaudi
  6. Gautier Capuçon – Intuition
  7. Daniel Hope & Zürcher Kammerorchester – Handel Arias
  8. Menahem Pressler – Clair De Lune
  9. Midori Seiler & Concerto Köln – Vivaldi: La Venezia di Anna Maria
  10. Alexandre Riabko, Hamburg Ballet & John Neumeier – Nijinsky: A Ballet By John Neumeier
  11. Jonas Kaufmann – L’Opéra
  12. Nuria Rial & Maurice Steger – Baroque Twitter
  13. Cecilia Bartoli & Sol Gabetta – Dolce Duello
  14. Jonas Kaufmann – Dolce Vita
  15. Jóhann Jóhannsson – Englabörn & Variations
  16. Nils Mönkemeyer – Baroque
  17. Bjarte Engeset – Grieg: Complete Orchestral Works
  18. Diego Fasolis, Julia Lezhneva & I Barocchisti – Vivaldi: Gloria
  19. Eldbjørg Hemsing – Borgström & Schostakowitsch: Violinkonzerte
  20. The King’s Singers – Gold

> Weblink to German Classic Charts of May 2018 at “Concerti”

DEBUT CD REVIEW IN RONDO

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“…with her supreme violinistic ease, sprightly personality and wonderfully clear and pure lyrical tone (2nd movement), the violinist Eldbjørg Hemsing transforms this repertoire rarity into a worthwhile rediscovery or new discovery. Hemsing’s mastery of the entire Shostakovich spectrum, from gloomy bitterness to grotesquely-virtuosic agility, is then demonstrated in her collaboration with the highly committed Wiener Symphoniker.“

Rondo | Guido Fischer | 3 Mar 2018:

Der Name Hjalmar Borgström war bis vor kurzem noch dieser typische Fall von „Kenne ich nicht“. Auf dem Cover der Solo-Debüt-CD der aufstrebenden norwegischen Geigerin Eldbjørg Hemsing steht er immerhin über dem von Dmitri Schostakowitsch. Was sofort die Vermutung nährt, dass es sich bei dem No-Name um einen skandinavischen Zeitgenossen des Russen handeln könnte – wenn nicht vielleicht gar um einen wahrscheinlich zu unrecht nie so richtig zum Zug gekommenen Neue Musik-Komponisten. Was die Lebenslinien von Borgström und Schostakowitsch angeht, gab es immerhin Berührungspunkte. Als der Norweger 1925 im Alter von gerade 61 Jahren verstarb, war der russische Kollege mit seinen 19 Jahren schon auf dem Karrieresprung. Ein Mann der zu dieser Zeit bereits mächtig an den Grundfesten rüttelnden Moderne war Borgström aber so gar nicht. Zu diesem Schluss bringt einen sein dreisätziges Violinkonzert G-Dur op. 25, das Hemsing zusammen mit dem 1. Violinkonzert von Schostakowitsch aufgenommen hat.

Das 1914 anlässlich der 100-Jahr-Feier der norwegischen Verfassung entstandene Konzert ist pure Hoch- bis Spätromantik, die ihre Wurzeln nicht etwa in der nordischen Volksmusik hat, sondern in der Tradition Mendelssohns, Schumanns und Brahms‘. Der Grund: Borgström hatte ab 1887 während seines Studiums das Musikleben in Leipzig in vollen Zügen genossen. Dementsprechend begegnet man in seinem Violinkonzert vielen alten Bekannten, zahlreichen Einflüssen und geläufigen Trivialitäten. Doch überraschender Weise kommt dabei keine Sekunde Langeweile auf! Nicht nur, weil sich Borgström hier als fantasievoller Handwerker entpuppt, der die musikalisch scheinbar aus der Zeit gefallenen Ingredienzien äußerst reizvoll recycelt. Auch die Geigerin Eldbjørg Hemsing kann mit ihrer geigerischen Souveränität, ihrem anspringenden Temperament und einem wunderbar klaren und schlackenfreien Kantilenenton (2. Satz) diese Repertoire-Rarität in eine lohnenswerte Wieder- bzw. Neuentdeckung verwandeln. Dass Hemsing aber eben auch das gesamte Schostakowitsch-Spektrum von düsterer Bitternis bis grotesk-virtuoser Gelenkigkeit grandios beherrscht, stellt sie anschließend gemeinsam mit den höchst engagierten Wiener Symphonikern unter Beweis.

ELDBJØRG HEMSING STORMEN ARTIST IN RESIDENCE

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Eldbjørg Hemsing named 2018 ‘Artist in Residence’ at Stormen Konserthus

Violinist Eldbjørg Hemsing is the ‘2018 Artist in Residence’ at Stormen Konserthus Bodø Norway, where she will perform in concert and recital on several occasions throughout the year. The iconic concert hall, which is situated in Bodø in the far North of Norway, was unveiled in 2014 and has been praised for both its world-class acoustics and initiative in presenting musical excellence. In her first appearance at Stormen Eldbjørg Hemsing will perform Massenet’s Thaïs: Méditation at the New Year’s Gala Concert (5 January 2018), together with the Nordnorsk Opera og Symfoniorkester – Arctic Philharmonic and conductor Henrik Schaefer. She returns in spring to perform Hjalmar Borgström’s Violin Concerto in G major, op. 25 (9 March) with the Nordnorsk Opera og Symfoniorkester – Arctic Philharmonic and Eva Ollikainen – Conductor, with an additional performance at KulturHuset i Tromsø. Also featured in the Residency are performances of Dvořák ́s Mazurek and Halvorsen’s Norwegian Dances for Violin and Orchestra at the NOSO ́s outdoor concert at Nordland Musikkfestuke, whilst her final appearance will be a specially programmed recital with the acclaimed Macedonian pianist Simon Trpčeski. “I am honoured to be appointed Stormen’s ‘2018 Artist in Residence” commented Eldbjørg Hemsing. “I can’t wait to get up to the North again where I have such fond memories of previous performances and where the wild and powerful nature gives a different dimension of musical inspiration. I am particularly proud to be performing Borgström’s violin concerto which is a piece that I have become passionate about and which deserves much more attention than it currently receives. He is a Norwegian composer who was famous at the beginning of the 20th century but whose name has completely dropped from programmes both at home and abroad.”

About Stormen Konserthus Bodø / Stormen Concert Hall Bodø

Stormen Konserthus Bodø / Stormen Concert Hall Bodø’s world-class acoustics ensure optimal conditions for classical masterpieces as well as the performances of pop/rock shows, theatre, dance and conferences.The large hall seats 900 people and offers some of the worlds best acoustics for classical music. Variable acoustic panels and a full size flytower and orchestra pit makes this hall equally suitable for opera, ballet, pop, jazz, rock and theatre. Our Steinway grand piano was carefully selected by Leif Ove Andsnes. The small hall seats 240, the chamber hall around 80. The foyers are well suitable for concerts and receptions, and legendary club venue Sinus (460 capacity) has the perfect atmosphere for jazz and rock. “We are very proud to appoint Eldbjørg Hemsing as the ‘2018 Artist in Residence’. She has truly established herself as a top international artist and we look forward to the variety of her virtuoso performances at our concert hall.” Rolf-Cato Raade, director Stormen.

ELDBJØRG HEMSING ON WDR3 TONART

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Eldbjørg Hemsing meets das junge orchester NRW

WDR 3 “Tonart” | ARD German-public broadcasting institutions | 6 October 2017

On the occasion of the concert of Eldbjørg Hemsing, performing Violin Concerto No. 1 D minor, Op. 31 from Henri Vieuxtemps (1820-1881) with das junge orchester NRW under Ingo Ernst Reihl at Historic City Hall Wuppertal on 8th October 2017, the internationally upstriving Norwegian artist was interviewed and featured by German broadcasting station WDR 3 in “Tonart”.

Audio stream (7min6sec):

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