Wednesday 23 May 2018

Wednesday 23 May at 18:45
Thursday 24 May at 19:30

Berlioz's grandiose requiem masterfully alternates between the dramatic and the intimate.

Hector Berlioz struck the bass drum when writing his Mass in memory of France's fallen during the Revolution of 1930. The composer increased the number of timpani players from one to ten, and added four groups of brass players placed around the room. The work requires three choirs and several reinforced instrument groups, and with enormous orchestral power it breaks the boundaries of both requiem and church music.

The composer's ideas flowed so quickly that he had to find a new and faster way of notating. Berlioz uses the apocalypse's violent drama and powerful soundscape to emphasize the quieter parts. A solitary tenor soloist symbolizes the individual's soul.

The Bergen Philharmonic Orchestra and the Eikanger-Bjørsvik Music Team are led by Edward Gardner during the Festival's opening concert. "Conducting Berlioz's Requiem is a feat, and Gardner gave the performance of a lifetime with a tour de force," wrote classical website Bachtrack in the summer of 2016.

The choral forces in this co-production with Musikkselskapet Harmonien and Bergen National Opera consist of Edvard Grieg Choir, Bergen Philharmonic Choir, Collegiûm Mûsicûm's choir and orchestra and RNCM – Royal Northern College of Music Choir, led by Håkon Matti Skrede. The young tenor Brother Magnus Tødenes has been very successful at the Festivals in the past, and has already won several awards.

The opening concert will be released on disc.

"If I were threatened with the destruction of all but one of my works, I would ask for mercy for Requiem." – HECTOR BERLIOZ

Bergen Philharmonic Orchestra
Eikanger-Bjørsvik Music Band
Edward Gardner – Conductor
Brother Magnus Tødenes – tenor

Edvard Grieg Choir
Bergen Philharmonic Choir
Collegiûm Mûsicûm Choir
Royal Northern College of Music Choir
Håkon Matti Skrede – choirmaster

HECTOR BERLIOZ (1803–1869)

Grande messe des morts, op. 5
1. Requiem and Kyrie
2. Dies irae; Tuba Mirum
3. Quid sum miser
4. Rex tremendae
5. Quaerens me
6. Lacrymosa
7. Offertory
8. Hostias
9. Sanctus
10. Agnus Dei

The concert is played without a break.
Sung in Latin and lyrics in Norwegian.
Berlioz: Grande messe des morts is presented by Festspillene i Bergen, Musikkselskapet Harmonien and Bergen National Opera.