Crescendo: Octets with Jansen, Weilerstein, Biss & Young Soloists
A star-studded octet celebration in Troldsalen.

Janine Jansen, violin, Jonathan Biss, piano and Alisa Weilerstein, cello are joined by young Norwegian musicians on the cusp of their careers to perform some of the finest works in the classical repertoire – a rare occurrence in an intimate concert venue such as Troldsalen!

Mendelssohn was only sixteen years old when he composed his string octet. 'Its youthful verve, brilliance and perfection make it one of the miracles of nineteenth-century music. […] Not even Mozart at the age of 16 produced anything to rival its chutzpah', wrote music critic Conrad Wilson.

The octet finds musical company in Schumann's Piano Quartet, which contains one of his most heart-rendingly romantic melodies, and Shostakovich's two pieces for string octet, of which the composer claimed the Scherzo '… is the very best thing I have written.'

Janine Jansen violin
Guro Kleven Hagen violin
Edvard Erdal violin
Ludvig Gudim violin
Eivind Holtsmark Ringstad viola
Michael Grolid viola
Alisa Weilerstein cello
Kian Soltani cello
Jonathan Biss piano

ROBERT SCHUMANN (1910–1856)
Piano Quartet in E flat major, op. 47

FELIX MENDELSSOHN (1809–1847)
String Octet in E flat major, op. 20

DIMITRI SHOSTAKOVICH (1906–1975)
Two Pieces for Strings Octet, op. 11

Return transport included: 
Departure from Strandkaien (Tourist information/Food Hall) at 12:00
Return from Troldhaugen kl 14:30

Supported by the Savings Bank Foundation DNB – Dextra Musica and Anders Sveaas' Charitable Foundation.

Crescendo is a mentoring programme for young classical musicians and a joint venture by the Bergen International Festival, Barratt Due Institute of Music and Oslo Philharmonic Orchestra. The project is supported by Trond Mohn, Bettina Ford Jebsen, Hans Peter Jebsen, The DNB Savings Bank Foundation, Dextra Musica and Talent Norway.