Spanish Undertones

20. April 2023 at 19:30

Péter Eötvös is the season's Composer-in-Residence and a brilliant conductor. Eötvös presents two works this evening, followed by Debussy.

Thursday 20. April 2023 at 19:30

Fartein Valen, Stavanger konserthus

Program

Péter Eötvös: Sirens’ Song (commissioned work by SSO) – Scandinavian Premiere
Péter Eötvös: Alhambra Concerto for Violin – Norwegian Premiere
Claude Debussy: Nocturnes
Claude Debussy: Images, Iberia

Contributors

Peter Eötvös, conductor (Composer-in-Residence)
Kristof Barati, violin
Stavanger Symfonikor

Peter Eötvös

Composer

Peter Eötvös is one of the best known interpreters of 20/21st century music.

As a composer, conductor and teacher he combines all three functions in one very high-profile significant career. Born in Transylvania in 1944, he has long been considered one of the most significant and influential personalities on the music scene as both an internationally recognized conductor and a composer of successful operas, orchestral works and concertos, written for well-known artists from all over the world. His music is featured frequently in the programmes of orchestras, contemporary music ensembles and festivals worldwide, and as composer and conductor he has led projects focusing on his work in cities across the globe. He is regularly re-invited as guest conductor by the most important orchestras and opera houses.

Eötvös attaches great importance to passing on his extensive knowledge and experience to others. He taught at the music college in Cologne and Karlsruhe and gives regular masterclasses and seminars throughout the world. He established his “International Eötvös Institute” in 1991 and the “Peter Eötvös Contemporary Music Foundation” in 2004 in Budapest for young composers and conductors.

He lives and works in Budapest, Hungary.
Kristof Barati

Soloist

Hungarian violinist Kristóf Baráti is recognised increasingly across the globe as a musician of extraordinary quality with a vast expressive range and impeccable technique. Applauded repeatedly for the poetry and eloquence that he brings to his playing, he has been described as “a true tonal aesthete of the highest order”.

In recent seasons, Baráti has performed at the Hollywood Bowl with the Los Angeles Philharmonic, at London’s Royal Festival Hall with the London Philharmonic Orchestra and in 2019 he was the featured soloist in the opening concert of the the Verbier Festival. Baráti has played with orchestras such as Zurich Tonhalle, Oslo Philharmonic, Orchestre National de France, ORF Vienna Radio Symphony, Orchestre Symphonique de Montreal, BBC Scottish Symphony, BBC Philharmonic and Hague Philharmonic orchestras.

Baráti has an extensive discography which includes the five Mozart concerti, the complete Beethoven and Brahms sonatas with Klára Würtz, and Ysaÿe solo sonatas for Brilliant Classics, and Bach Sonatas and Partitas for Solo violin on the Berlin Classics label.

Baráti plays the 1703 “Lady Harmsworth” Stradivarius, by kind arrangement with the Stradivarius Society of Chicago.
Stavanger Symfonikor

Medvirkende
Valen vokalensemble

Medvirkende

Valen Vokalensemble is a professional ensemble made up of some of Norway’s leading ensemble singers. The ensemble’s eight permanent singers are all based in Rogaland and have experience from ensembles including Det Norske Solistkor, Kilden Vokalensemble, Trondheim Vokalensemble, Tabula Rasa, Den Norske Operas kor, and Trio Mediæval. The ensemble is based at Stavanger Concert Hall and works closely with Stavanger Symphony Orchestra.

The ensemble’s Artistic Director is Oddgeir Kjetilstad. He served as Cathedral Cantor at Stavanger Cathedral from 2011 to 2023 and is currently Acting Cathedral Cantor at Oslo Cathedral. Kjetilstad has also held the position of Acting Cathedral Cantor at Nidaros Cathedral. He studied at the University of Stavanger, Faculty of Arts and Education, and at the Norwegian Academy of Music, where he earned a Bachelor’s degree in Voice, a Master’s degree in Conducting, and qualifications in Church Music.

The vocal ensemble has performed at the Bergen International Festival and the Stavanger Chamber Music Festival. In November 2022, the ensemble released its first recording, Jeg synger julekvad, recorded at Utstein Monastery.