The Irish Chamber Orchestra looks to Norway and one of its finest exports. The amazing Violinist and Composer, Henning Kraggerud turns the spotlight on some of his homeland’s finest composers for violin in his ICO debut. The ICO will perform Homelands, A Celebration on Thursday 10 March at The National Concert Hall, Dublin and on Friday 11 March at University Concert Hall, Limerick.
Kraggerud’s versatility, boundless technical ability, and genuine passion for music-making makes him a perfect match for the Irish Chamber Orchestra, renowned for its distinctively energetic and virtuosic performances. Few artists convey a greater sense of communication and discovery when performing, than Henning Kraggerud, a virtuoso famed for his extraordinary reach as a performer, artistic director, composer, arranger, and improviser.
The development of music in Norway owes much to the great violinist Ole Bull. His La Melancholia is a gem for violin and string orchestra as arranged by Henning. Svendsen’s emotive Romance is one of his most popular works. The ICO achieves a perfect blend of energy and lightness in Grieg’s Holberg Suite, a fabulous collection of delightful dances, inspired by playwright, Ludwig Holberg. Sinding’s Suite in A minor, Op. 10, was showcased by the great violinists of the time and Kraggerud performs its emotive Adagio, a real showstopper. The ICO takes a giant step leap into the 21st century performing four extracts from Kraggeruds’s ingenious Suite from Equinox where 24 time zones are moulded into four six-movement concertos Afternoon, Evening, Night and Morning. Finally, savour a delicious folk song Chant de Veslemøy, with a heart- warming tune, from Halvorsen’s Suite Mosaique.
The ICO regularly champions new music and is delighted to showcase Home, a world premiere by composer Siobhan Lamb. “This piece explores what the search for home feels like, viewing the idea of home both as an insider and outsider” says Lamb.
Don’t miss Henning Kraggerud and the ICO as they journey to Norway and back home on Thursday 10 March at National Concert Hall, Dublin and Friday 11 March at University Concert Hall, Limerick.
The Limerick-based Irish Chamber Orchestra is resident at the Irish World Academy of Music and Dance at the University of Limerick and is funded by The Arts Council of Ireland/An Chomhairle Ealaíon.
