Music Around – ‘London’ is the 2012 theme of Scandinavia’s biggest classical music festival, Music Around, which is celebrating its sixth year. For eleven days, the aim is to enlighten audiences about the magnitude of London as a centre for classical music.
Musicians will delight us with a varied programme ranging from the Renaissance, the Baroque and symphonic classics from the turn of the century, to contemporary music and even premieres.
The organisers – Musik i Syd, Malmö Symphony Orchestra, the Copenhagen Phil and the Helsingborg Symphony Orchestra – have put together a very promising programme, recruiting top performers from all over the Øresund region and beyond. Representing the UK are, among others, the London Sinfonietta, the BBC Singers, the Badke Quartet and Benjamin Grosvenor.
Read on for our selection of the best concerts. But please bear in mind that some concerts are being played on both sides of the Øresund – and that the prices for the same concert vary somewhat depending on the venue and country.
Various venues across Øresund; started Oct 3, ends Oct 14; tickets: 60-370kr, includes several free concerts (particularly for under-26s); www.musicaround.nu/music-and-art-around-eng
TOP PICKS:
Fujita Piano Trio – As accomplished as the Fujita Piano Trio from London are, our decision to choose their Swedish concerts as our other top pick more reflects their exquisite choice for their programme. Mozart’s Piano trio in C-major, KV 548, Dvorak’s Piano Trio No. 4 in E Minor (also known as Dumky) and Ravel’s Pion trio in A-minor are all beautiful pieces that really manage to play with the audience’s imagination. The pieces are performed by the three Japanese Fujita sisters: Arisa (violin), Megumi (piano) and Honoka (cello).
Söderportkyrkan, Tingsryd (SWE); Sat 16:00; Tickets: 130SEK, concessions: 70SEK
Konserthuset, Stora salen, Kristianstad (SWE); Sun 16:00; Tickets: 180SEK, concessions 70-150SEK
Academy of Ancient Music – With a London theme, Händel is unavoidable and that’s the way it should be. The musicians of London’s Academy of Ancient Music strive to play as true to the original intent of the composer as possible – their success would certainly appear to vindicate this dedication. Sit back and enjoy these incredibly talented musicians perform three of Händel’s most acclaimed works: Concerto Grosso no. 2 in F-major, Concerto Groos no. 4 in A-minor and Water music. What more can you wish for?
Palladium, Malmö (SWE); Sat 13 Oct, 18:00; Tickets 240SEK, concessions 150SEK;
Garnisonskirken, Copenhagen; Sun 14 Oct, 16:00; tickets 180kr, concessions 120kr
ALSO RECOMMENDED:
Badke Quartet – This much sought-after British quartet – Emma Parker (violin), Lana Trotovšek (violin), Jon Thorne (viola) and Jonathan Byers (cello) are giving five concerts around the Øresund region. On the programme are the string quartets of Haydn’s op. 76:2 in D-minor, Mendelssohn’s no. 6 in F-minor op. 80, and Britten’s no. 3 op. 94. Attend this concert and appreciate why the Badke Quartet are celebrating their tenth anniversary.
Palladium Malmö (SWE); Sun 15:00; Tickets: 160SEK, concessions 60SEK;
Skissernas Museum, Lund (SWE); Mon 19:00; Tickets: 160SEK;
Dunkers Kulturhus, Helsingborg, (SWE); Tue 19:30; Tickets: 170SEK, concessions 80SEK;
Stadsbiblioteket, hörsalen, Ängelholm (SWE); Wed 19:00; Tickets 140SEK, concessions 120SEK;
Kulturskolans konsertsal, Växjö (SWE), Sun 14 Oct, 16:00; Tickets: 150SEK, concessions 60-130 SEK, under- 26s free adm
Benjamin Grosvenor – With one of classical music’s most sought-after musicians Benjamin Grosvenor taking a seat at the piano, the audience is in good hands. Be warned, the 20-year-old is only playing this one concert – so if you want to hear the pianist who has wowed the classical world with his confidence and lyrical grace, this is the chance. The repertoire includes: Bach, Chopin, Skrjabin, Granados and Schulz-Evler.
Den Sorte Diamant, Cph K; Tue 20:00; tickets: 150kr, concessions 80-120kr
The Classic Buskers – Describing their work as “classical music without the boring bits”, Britain’s Michael Copley (40 different woodwind instruments) and Ian Moore (accordion mainly) have been together since the 1970s, playing the likes of Elgar, Purcell and Holst to much respect and amusement. Included in their repetoire is a tribute to the recent Olympics.
Hässleholm Kulturhus (SWE); Thu 19:00; tickets: 120SEK
Kulturhuset Anders, Höör (SWE); Sun 16:00; tickets: 120SEK, concessions 20-100SEK
Konserthuset Kristianstad (SWE); Tue 17:00; tickets: 180SEK, concessions 20-100SEK
BBC Singers – The BBC singers have an impressive repertoire, playing music from the early Renaissance as well as contemporary material. This concert will treat audiences to works by two British Renaissance composers, Byrd and Tallis, followed by some Takemitsu and the premiere of Jackson’s Choral Symphony.
Konserthuset Kristianstad, Kristianstad (SWE); Mon 19:00; Tickets: 240SEK, concessions 70-200SEK
Helsingborg Konserhus, Helsingborg (SWE); Wed 19:30; Tickets: 240SEK, concessions 120SEK
Pelle Gudmundsen-Holmgren premieres new work – This is the concert to attend if you want to be part of history or at least part of a premiere. The programme includes the debut of four pieces (Prelude, Turn, Song, Play, Sound l-II) composed by Danish composer Pelle Gudmundsen-Holmgren specifically for the London Sinfonietta and the Danish-based Theatre of Voices.
Den Sorte Diamant, Cph K; Sat 17:00. Tickets: 180kr, concessions 80-150kr
