Egil Hovland-festivalen
Solistkoret and Alvilde Riiser
The Norwegian Soloists' Choir conducted by the future’s talented conductors
Once again the Soloists’ choir will work with a young, talented conductor!
This autumn Alvilde Riiser will conduct Solistkoret as part of her final exam concert at the Norwegian Academy of Music. The concert will be held at the Egil Hovland festival in Fredrikstad.
The main piece this evening is Francis Poulenc's (1899-1963) Mass in G Major, one of the composer's most central works. Poulenc lived in a time of transition and developed a distinctive and deeply serious tonal language. Mass in G major is considered to be one of the most important choral works composed in the last century. It was completed in August 1937 and is dedicated to Poulenc's father who died in 1917.
The program also includes Egil Hovland's powerful ‘Saul’, based on the story of the apostle Paul's Christ's revelation and conversion. The drama of the story is conveyed in a strong way through Hovland's use of recitation and composition for choir and organ.
Johann Sebastian Bach's motets were mainly sung at funerals. ‘Der Geist hilft unsrer Schwachheit auf’ was composed in 1729, on the occasion of the funeral of Johann Heinrich Ernest, an older principal at St. Thomas' Church in Leipzig who was close to Bach. The Norwegian Soloists' Choir's recording of the motet can be heard on the award-winning album Bach – The motets.
Program:
Francis Poulenc: Messe i G-dur
Egil Hovland: Saul
Johann Sebastian Bach: Der Geist hilft unser Schwachheit auf
Featuring
Alvilde Riiser
Alvilde Riiser has been the conductor of Sofienbergkoret since 2018. She is a member of the choir at Oslo Cathedral, and sings regularly with the professional vocal ensemble at the Norwegian Academy of Music. In addition to choral conducting, Alvilde has studied music education at the University of Agder, church musician and cantor studies at the Norwegian Academy of Music. Alvilde is a widely used conductor in the choirs of Oslo Cathedral and regularly collaborates with established musicians such as Per Kristian Amundrød, Sidsel Walstad, Marcus André Berg and Kåre Nordstoga.
The Norwegian Soloists' Choir
The Norwegian Soloists' Choir is an innovative young ensemble, steeped in a rich history. As one of Europe's leading chamber choirs, they perform spectacular concerts in Norway and abroad, in concert halls and churches, in caravans and in abandoned factory venues. The Norwegian Soloists' Choir consists of 26 hand-picked, professional singers who have a tremendous ability to blend their voices, resulting in a highly distinctive choral expression. Along with its celebrated artistic leader Grete Pedersen, the choir achieves ambitious artistic goals through constant development.