about nordic concerts
The idea behind Nordic Concerts was born in 2007 out of a desire to bring an international concert series to the Nordic region. Nothing like it had existed previously, and although the region could boast fine orchestras of its own, it was felt that a completely fresh look involving participation by some of the greatest orchestras of the world would have an inspiring and revitalising effect upon the culture of the countries concerned and stimulate their audiences in a new and unique way.
Since 2008, thirty-one concerts have been given in Copenhagen, Oslo, Gothenburg, Stockholm and Hamburg by world famous orchestras from Paris, Amsterdam, Dresden, Budapest and London. This imaginative project can now be seen to have successfully filled a considerable gap within the classical music scene in the Nordic region; not only has it brought top-quality music-making to existing audiences as well as securing new ones, the full houses it has attracted everywhere have broadened horizons and acted as a stimulus for the resident orchestras in the various areas.
In view of this proven success to its original initiative Nordic Concerts is now to expand the scheme by inviting more countries to participate. In 2010 a partnership was formed of the leading concert halls in Sweden, Denmark, Finland, Norway and Iceland, together with Hamburg and the three Baltic states Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia with the intention of presenting three tours annually involving leading orchestras not only from Europe but even further afield.
The expanded scheme will commence operations in the season 2011/12 when the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra, the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra and the famed Gustav Mahler Youth Orchestra are expected to participate. The initial period of the new scheme is designed to run until 2016 but the ultimate aim is to make it a permanent feature of Northern Europe’s musical life.
As in the original concept, Copenhagen Artists A/S will continue to be the main driving force in charge of all administration and detailed planning.
The new enlarged group of ten participating concert halls and presenting organisations will have stronger negotiating powers with the soloists, conductors and orchestras it wishes to attract to the scheme as invitations can be issued direct, thus avoiding the necessity to work through agents. In the same way the group will also have a stronger voice in choosing the tour programmes, so that the visiting orchestras’ concerts can be smoothly and successfully integrated into the local orchestras’ seasons. The concerts will be recorded and offered to the European Broadcasting Union, bringing the music-making to an even bigger audience and promoting the feeling among listeners of being part of strong artistic cooperation.
As an important adjunct, Nordic Concerts intends to identify and encourage new young talent by offering concert opportunities in its Halls that will involve being heard by audiences numbering 15,000-20,000, and millions more through broadcast transmissions.
The international music world has already expressed considerable enthusiasm about the concept of Nordic Concerts. The tours completed to date have shown that it is not just a wish from the Nordic and Baltic audiences and the music press in those countries but that there is a strong and sustained demand for such activity.
The scheme’s planned expansion is now being viewed as a development that will have a further inspiring, challenging and revitalising effect upon the culture of the countries concerned, enabling more music lovers than ever to have the opportunity to enjoy classical music, to understand where classical music is going, and to develop a unified feeling of being part of the European classical music world.
An Advisory Board is connected to Nordic Concerts - please click on a name to the right, for personal information on the members of the Nordic Concerts Advisory Board.
