Together at last: Víkingur Ólafsson finally plays Grieg in Bergen

By Mark Pullinger, 06 February 2021

Loading, please wait...

See full listing

“a thought-provoking reading of this evergreen concerto”

Reviewed at Grieg Hall (Grieghallen), Bergen on 5 February 2021

Bartók, 3 Hungarian Folksongs from Csík

Ligeti, Melodien

Bartók, Divertimento for Strings, Sz 113

Grieg, Lyric Pieces: Melody, Op.47 no.3

Stravinsky, Four Norwegian Moods

Grieg, Piano Concerto in A minor, Op.16

Traditional, Þegar ég smáu fræi í fold (Where Life and Death May Dwell) (trans. Snorri Sigfús Birgisson)

Víkingur Ólafsson, Piano

Bergen Philharmonic Orchestra

Edward Gardner, Conductor

Echo of a silent scream: Asle and Alida premieres in Bergen

Christopher Woodley, 29th March

Jon Fosse's bleak tale of alienation is graced with fine performances from a strong cast and excellent playing by the Bergen Philharmonic Orchestra under Johannes Gustavsson.

***11

Rachmaninov to remember from the Bergen Philharmonic in Antwerp

Marc Haegeman, 16th February

Víkingur Ólafsson's appearance may have been most anticipated, but it is Rachmaninov's Symphonic Dances that impresses most as the Bergen Philharmonic Orchestra and Edward Gardner make a welcome return to Antwerp.

***11

Salome stoked to red heat by Byström and the Bergen Philharmonic

David Smythe, 14th August

Returning to the Edinburgh International Festival after their astonishing Peter Grimes, the Bergen Philharmonic and Edward Gardner bring another opera, Richard Strauss' murderous Salome.

*****

Edward Gardner conducts a sharp La clemenza di Tito live from Bergen

Mark Valencia, 15th March

Mary Miller bows out after ten years at the helm of Bergen National Opera with a defiant account of Mozart’s final opera.

****1

Bergen Philharmonic’s Close up – at a distance ends on an upbeat note

David Smythe, 26th June

Christian Ihle Hadland’s piano sparkled in Ravel sandwiched by lively and joyful Rameau and Mozart.

****1

Inspired by Elizabethan music: Gardner and the Bergen Phil

David Karlin, 18th June

The Bergen Phil and the Edvard Grieg Choir trace music from Elizabethan themes to 20th century works on them, culminating in Pärt's Cantus in Memory of Benjamin Britten.

***11

More reviews...

Mark Pullinger

Mark has been a Bachtrack editor since 2014. He is also an experienced critic, writing hundreds of reviews for the site, as well as a freelancer writing for other magazines and newspapers. He also writes programme notes and blogs on Substack. Mark has a particular passion for the operas of Verdi as well as Russian and French repertoire. Outside the concert hall and opera house, Mark enjoys cooking and travel and is probably at his happiest let loose in a French patisserie or a Viennese coffee house.