Stavanger Symphony Orchestra (SSO) has gained an international reputation for its quality and interesting profile in addition to its creative programming. The combination of a commitment to early and contemporary music, together with unusual cross-over projects and an extensive programme of CD-recordings of Norwegian 20th century music, has contributed to the orchestra’s development and reputation. A spectacular series of orchestra photos for PR and marketing supports this development.

Steven Sloane, Chief Conductor

The orchestra has been in the forefront in renewing the goals, vision and profile for symphonic orchestras in the 21st century. The SSO is adopting a satellite model for its operations, i.e. promoting concerts with smaller ensembles alongside series of symphonic concerts.

The orchestra played an important role as Stavanger held its position as European Capital of Culture in 2008. In three years it will move into a brand new concert hall in Stavanger, specially designed for acoustic, symphonic music. The SSO appointed the American conductor Steven Sloane as Chief Conductor to lead the orchestra through these events and to further develop the orchestra’s artistic standard and international reputation. Simultaneously, the Italian violinist and conductor Fabio Biondi will be responsible for the orchestras specializing in early music interpretation.

By, in 1990, sharing the repertoire between two different artistic leaders, the SSO was at the forefront of establishing what was then a new model for artistic leadership. Conductors such as Frans Brüggen and Alexander Dmitriev in the 90s, followed by Philippe Herreweghe and Susanna Mälkki, raised the standard to an international level. With the appointment of Steven Sloane as Chief Conductor from the 2007/08 season onwards, together with that of Fabio Biondi from the 2006/2007 season, the artistic leadership of the orchestra will be further developed. Their broad international experience and reputation will strengthen the orchestra’s position in European musical life.

The orchestra tours regularly within Norway. Internationally the orchestra has performed in Scandinavia, The Baltic states, Spain, The Netherlands, Belgium, UK, Germany, Ireland, Czech Republic, Slovakia and Poland. It has participated at the Edinburgh Festival, Schleswig-Holstein Festival and the Prague Autumn Festival. In November 2005 the orchestra made its first tour to Japan.

Apart from the regular subscription concerts in the Stavanger Concert Hall, the SSO has developed extensive educational programmes to give schools’ concerts at various levels. New audiences have been exposed to classical music by choosing pop and rock groups as partners for certain projects. SSO has also since 1994 been a regular participant at the Stavanger MaiJazz Festival and performed with such artists as Herbie Hancock, Joe Zawinul and Maria Joao. The orchestras’ activities include 80-90 concerts per year. In addition, groups from the orchestra are involved in a series of chamber music concerts.

The orchestra has released over 30 recordings the last 20 years, receiving excellent reviews in international music magazines. Complete series of the orchestral music of Norwegian 20th century composers Harald Sæverud, Geirr Tveitt and Fartein Valen have been released on the highly profiled Swedish company, BIS Records.

The Norwegian Oil Company Statoil (Now: StatoilHydro) ASA has been the SSO’s main sponsor since 1990.
Stavanger Symphony Orchestra is under the Royal Patronage of HRH Crown Prince Haakon.

March 2009



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