The First Norwegian String Quartets

The Brief

There exists a forgotten string quartet repertoire by composers who lived in Norway in the late 18th and early 19th centuries, and most of this music has never been heard today - until now! Early-music specialists the Christiania String Quartet are now on tour to bring this delightful repertoire into the light and out to the public. Professor emeritus Harald Herresthal is one of the leading experts on musical life in Norway during this period, and between the pieces he shares his extensive knowledge and entertaining anecdotes about this fascinating era in Norwegian music history. In this program, the “Norwegian” composers Hans Hagerup Falbe, Christian Blom, and Carl Arnold are placed side by side with the father of the Viennese classical string quartet, Joseph Haydn. And all indications are that this will be the first time the quartets by Falbe and Blom are performed in modern times, at least on original instruments. The Christiania String Quartet is led by Kati Debretzeni, originally from Transylvania and currently concertmaster for several London-based orchestras - including for John Eliot Gardiner. The quartet also includes violinist Daniel Lyngstad, violist Mari Giske, and cellist Gunnar Hauge. Good to know: * Hall: Forstanderskapssalen at Sentralen