The
Norwegian Seamen’s Church in New York proudly present
The youth chamber orchestra
of Bergen
in
concert
Sunday, April 22, 2007 at 1 p.m.
Bergen
Unge Kammerorkester BUKO (the youth chamber orchestra
of Bergen) was founded in 2001. Initiating this orchestra
was Bergen's own young musicians as there was no other alternative
for them where they could play classical chamber music with
fellow youths in the Bergen area. The orchestra is lead
by Tone M. Birkeland, violinist in the Bergen philharmonic
orchestra, and consists of 12 violins, 2 violas, 4 cellos
and 1 double bass. The musicians age from 16 to 26 and have
their rehearsals in Mariakirken, the oldest church in Bergen
dating back to the 12th century. This church has been the
orchestra's main arena for concerts played in Bergen.
The
orchestra's main goal is to give inspiration to young musicians
and to create an environment where youths have an opportunity
to play classical music on a high and challenging level
with other youths. The orchestra cooperates with the Bergen
Philharmonic Orchestra which has been a supportive resource
and an inspiration to the young musicians. Admission to
the chamber orchestra is permitted through auditions. This
is to maintain a high level of the members. Concerts are
held regularly both intercity and in the district to reach
out to different audiences and hopefully inspire other youths
and musicians.
Since
their debut concert in 2001, the orchestra has played roughly
50 concerts and in 2003 it participated in recording a CD
with a well known Norwegian singer, Marianne Juvik Sæbø,
on the album "Ord og Draum".
So
far the biggest project for the orchestra has been the recording
of their own CD, "Cantabile", in 2004. This recoding
was a great challenge for the young musicians and gladly
the end result came with good reviews from various cultural
channels. This became a confirmation that the orchestra
holds a high musical level, and it also inspired the musicians
to keep up the hard and good work they had been doing up
till then.
In
spring 2005 the orchestra travelled to Berlin where they
attended a Master Class with Tomasz Tomaszewski, the 1st
violinist and Concertmaster of the Berlin Opera. Tomaszewski
also featured as a soloist in the concert held by the orchestra
in Nordischen Gemeinschaftshaus. Spring 2006 Tomaszewski
came to Bergen to visit the orchestra and play another concert
with them.
Transcending
new territory, fall 2006 the orchestra held a concert with
Tangos from all over the world. Through this project the
orchestra was lucky enough to be instructed by one of Norway's
leading tango violinists, Atle Sponheim. The concert also
featured Jostein Stalheim on the accordion.
In
December BUKO held its annual Christmas concert in Mariakirken
where the American solo trumpeter of the Bergen Philharmonics,
Gary Peterson, featured as a soloist.
Now,
the preparations for the upcoming US tour have started,
and the program put together for this tour is meant as a
tribute to Edvard Grieg, one of Norway's greatest composers.
This program will be performed in Norway as well as in New
York. In New York the orchestra will get instructions from
Susan Deaver who is currently conducting several youth orchestras
in N.Y.
The
spring semester's last concert for the orchestra will be
in the end of June when the orchestra will be part of Hardingetonar,
a music festival located between the magnificent mountains
and fjords of Norway.
Where:
The Norwegian Seamen’s Church
317 East 52nd Street (between 1st and 2nd avenue)
When: Sunday, April 22, 2007 at 1 p.m.
Free admission
If
you want to receive information on upcoming events - click
here to register online.
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