The Bergen Philharmonic Orchestra ( Norwegian: Bergen filharmoniske orkester) is a Norwegian

orchestra An orchestra (; ) is a large instrumental ensemble typical of classical music, which combines instruments from different families. There are typically four main sections of instruments: * String instruments, such as the violin, viola, cello, ...

based in

Bergen Bergen (, ) is a city and municipalities of Norway, municipality in Vestland county on the Western Norway, west coast of Norway. Bergen is the list of towns and cities in Norway, second-largest city in Norway after the capital Oslo. By May 20 ...

. Its principal concert venue is the

Grieg Hall Grieg Hall () is a 1,500 seat concert hall located on Edvard Griegs' square in Bergen, Norway. Grieghallen was named in honor of Bergen-born composer Edvard Grieg, who served as music director of the Bergen Philharmonic Orchestra from 1880 until ...

History

Established in

1765 Events January–March * January 23 – Prince Joseph of Austria marries Princess Maria Josepha of Bavaria in Vienna. * January 29 – One week before his death, Mir Jafar, who had been enthroned as the Nawab of Bengal and ...

under the name ''Det Musicalske Selskab'' (The Musical Society), it later changed its name to ''Musikselskabet Harmonien''. Bergen citizens often refer to the ensemble as "Harmonien" (the Harmony). After World War I, there was strong interest in the major Norwegian cities of Bergen and

Kristiania Oslo ( or ; ) is the capital and most populous city of Norway. It constitutes both a county and a municipality. The municipality of Oslo had a population of in 2022, while the city's greater urban area had a population of 1,064,235 in 2022, an ...

(later

Oslo Oslo ( or ; ) is the capital and most populous city of Norway. It constitutes both a county and a municipality. The municipality of Oslo had a population of in 2022, while the city's greater urban area had a population of 1,064,235 in 2022 ...

) in having larger orchestras. In 1919, the orchestra in Bergen was reorganized to employ 40 professional full-time musicians. As of 2015, the orchestra has 101 musicians. The orchestra has had a long tradition of playing contemporary music.

Ludwig van Beethoven Ludwig van Beethoven (baptised 17 December 177026 March 1827) was a German composer and pianist. He is one of the most revered figures in the history of Western music; his works rank among the most performed of the classical music repertoire ...

's second symphony was performed in Bergen in the year it was published,

1804 Events January–March * January 1 – Haiti gains independence from France, and becomes the first black republic. * February 4 – The Sokoto Caliphate is founded in West Africa. * February 14 – The First Serbian uprising begins th ...

, even before it was performed in Berlin. Bergen-born

composer A composer is a person who writes music. The term is especially used to indicate composers of Western classical music, or those who are composers by occupation. Many composers are, or were, also skilled performers of music. Etymology and def ...

Edvard Grieg Edvard Hagerup Grieg ( , ; 15 June 18434 September 1907) was a Norwegian composer and pianist. He is widely considered one of the leading Romantic music, Romantic era composers, and his music is part of the standard classical repertoire worldwid ...

had close ties with the orchestra, and was artistic director from 1880 to 1882. He also bequeathed a portion of his estate to a fund which continues to provide financial support for the orchestra. Other composers have served as principal conductor of the orchestra, including Arvid Fladmoe,

Johan Halvorsen Johan Halvorsen (15 March 1864 – 4 December 1935) was a Norwegian composer, conductor and violinist. Life Born in Drammen, he was an accomplished violinist from a very early age and became a prominent figure in Norwegian musical life. He r ...

Iver Holter Iver Paul Fredrik Holter (13 December 1850 – 27 January 1941) was a Norwegian composer. He was conductor and music director of the Oslo Philharmonic for a quarter century. Biography Iver Paul Fredrik Holter was born in Gausdal, Oppland, N ...

Richard Henneberg Karl Vilhelm Albert Richard Henneberg (5 August 1853 – 19 October 1925) was a German composer and conductor, who later lived in Sweden. Biography His mother was named Augusta Boltman, and his father, Albert Henneberg, was an opera singer. ...

Olav Kielland Olav Løchen Kielland (16 August 1901 – 5 August 1985) was a Norwegian composer and conductor. Early life and education Olav Løchen Kielland was born in Trondheim, the son of Gabriel Kielland (1871–1960) and Margit Løchen (1875–1951). ...

and

Per Winge Per Carl Winge (27 August 1858 – 7 September 1935) was a Norwegian conductor, pianist and composer, known primarily for his vocal music.

. Composer

Harald Sæverud Harald Sigurd Johan Sæverud (17 April 1897 – 27 March 1992) was a Norwegian composer. He is most known for his music to Henrik Ibsen's ''Peer Gynt'', '' Rondo Amoroso'', and the ''Ballad of Revolt'' (). Sæverud wrote nine symphonie ...

was frequently invited to conduct his own works, and the orchestra continues to commission and perform new compositions on a regular basis. Other composers who have conducted their own works with the orchestra include

Aaron Copland Aaron Copland (, ; November 14, 1900December 2, 1990) was an American composer, critic, writer, teacher, pianist, and conductor of his own and other American music. Copland was referred to by his peers and critics as the "Dean of American Compos ...

, Karl Nielsen,

Jean Sibelius Jean Sibelius (; ; born Johan Julius Christian Sibelius; 8 December 186520 September 1957) was a Finnish composer of the late Romantic music, Romantic and 20th-century classical music, early modern periods. He is widely regarded as his countr ...

Witold Lutosławski Witold Roman Lutosławski (; 25 January 1913 – 7 February 1994) was a Polish composer and conductor. Among the major composers of 20th-century classical music, he is "generally regarded as the most significant Polish composer since Szymanow ...

Lukas Foss Lukas Foss (August 15, 1922 – February 1, 2009) was a German-American composer, pianist, and conductor. Career Born Lukas Fuchs in Berlin, Germany in 1922, Foss was soon recognized as a child prodigy. He began piano and theory lessons with J ...

, and

Krzysztof Penderecki Krzysztof Eugeniusz Penderecki (; 23 November 1933 – 29 March 2020) was a Polish composer and conductor. His best-known works include '' Threnody to the Victims of Hiroshima'', Symphony No. 3, his '' St Luke Passion'', '' Polish Requiem'', '' ...

. In 1953, the ''Festspillene i Bergen'' was started and

Leopold Stokowski Leopold Anthony Stokowski (18 April 1882 – 13 September 1977) was a British-born American conductor. One of the leading conductors of the early and mid-20th century, he is best known for his long association with the Philadelphia Orchestra. H ...

was contracted to conduct the orchestra. Other conductors at the Bergen Festival have included

Eugene Ormandy Eugene Ormandy (born Jenő Blau; November 18, 1899 – March 12, 1985) was a Hungarian-born American conductor and violinist, best known for his association with the Philadelphia Orchestra, as its music director. His 44-year association with ...

and

Sir Thomas Beecham Sir Thomas Beecham, 2nd Baronet, (29 April 18798 March 1961) was an English conductor and impresario best known for his association with the London Philharmonic Orchestra, London Philharmonic and the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, Royal Philh ...

Andrew Litton Andrew Litton (born May 16, 1959, New York City) is an American orchestral conductor. Litton is a graduate of The Fieldston School. Biography He studied piano with Nadia Reisenberg and conducting with Sixten Ehrling at the Juilliard Schoo ...

became principal conductor in 2003 and artistic director in 2005. In 2002, the orchestra began to record the complete orchestral works of Edvard Grieg, the first Norwegian orchestra to do so. Norwegian conductor

Ole Kristian Ruud Ole Kristian Ruud (born 2 October 1958) is a Norwegian conductor. Ruud was born in Lillestrøm. He studied clarinet with Richard Kjelstrup at the Norwegian Academy of Music. He studied conducting at the Sibelius Academy and made his debut in Os ...

and the orchestra recorded the final of the 7 CDs for BIS, in 2005. Litton now has the title of conductor laureate with the orchestra. The orchestra's most recent chief conductor was

Edward Gardner Edward Gardner may refer to: * Edward W. Gardner (1867–1932), American balkline and straight rail billiards champion * Edward Joseph Gardner (1898–1950), U.S. Representative from Ohio * Ed Gardner (1901–1963), American actor, director and wr ...

, beginning in 2015. In January 2017. the orchestra announced the extension of Gardner's contract in Bergen through 2021. In September 2019, the orchestra further extended Gardner's contract through 2023. In June 2021, the orchestra announced a 1-year extension of Gardner's contract through July 2024. In November 2021, the orchestra announced the appointment of Sir

Mark Elder Sir Mark Philip Elder (born 2 June 1947) is a British conductor. Life and career Elder was born in Hexham, Northumberland, the son of a dentist. He played the bassoon when in primary school, at Bryanston School, Dorset, and in the National ...

as its next principal guest conductor, effective 1 August 2022, with an initial contract of three years through 31 July 2025. Gardner concluded his tenure as chief conductor at the close of the 2023–2024 season, at which time the orchestra named him its ''æresdirigent'' (honorary conductor). Many members of the orchestra teach at the Grieg Academy of Music, which is a music conservatory within the

University of Bergen The University of Bergen () is a public university, public research university in Bergen, Norway. As of 2021, the university had over 4,000 employees and 19,000 students. It was established by an act of parliament in 1946 consolidating several sci ...

Chief conductors

* Samuel Lind (1765–1769) * Benjamin Ohle (1769–1770) * Niels Haslund (1770–1785) * Ole Pedersen Rødder (1785–1805) * J. Hindrich Paulsen (1805–1806, 1809–1820) * Mathias Lundholm (1820–1827) * Ferdinand Giovanni Schediwy (1827–1844) * Ferdinand August Rojahn (1856–1859) * Otto Lübert (1855–1856) * Ferdinand A. Rojahn (1856–1859) * August Fries (1859–1862, 1864–1873) * Amadeus Wolfgang Maczewsky (1862–1864) * Richard Henneberg (1873–1875) * Adolf Blomberg (1875–1878) *

Hermann Levi Hermann Levi (7 November 1839 – 13 May 1900) was a History of the Jews in Germany, German Jewish orchestral conductor. Levi was born in Giessen, Germany, the son of a rabbi. He was educated at Giessen and Mannheim, and came to Vinzenz Lach ...

(1879–1880) *

(1880–1882) *

(1882–1886) *

Per Winge Per Carl Winge (27 August 1858 – 7 September 1935) was a Norwegian conductor, pianist and composer, known primarily for his vocal music.

(1886–1888) * Georg Washington Magnus (1892–1893) *

(1893–1898) * Christian Danning (1899–1901, 1902–1905) *

Harald Heide Harald Heide (March 8, 1876 – January 27, 1956) was a Norwegian violinist, conductor, and composer. Heide was born in Fredrikstad, the son of the violin-maker Johan Albert Heide (1847–1925). He studied music theory and violin at the Oslo Con ...

(1907–1948) *

(1948–1952) * Carl von Garaguly (1952–1958) * Arvid Fladmoe (1958–1961) *

Karsten Andersen Karsten Anker Andersen (16 February 192015 December 1997) was a Norwegian conductor. Life Karsten Andersen was born in Fredrikstad. He graduated from the Oslo Music Conservatory (1938–39) and Accademia Musicale Chigiana (1947). He made his ...

(1964–1985) *

Aldo Ceccato Aldo Ceccato (born 18 February 1934) is an Italian conductor. Biography Ceccato was born in Milan. He worked as assistant to Sergiu Celibidache and was music director of the Detroit Symphony Orchestra from 1973 until 1977. From 1976 until 198 ...

(1985–1990) *

Dmitri Kitajenko Dmitri Georgievich Kitayenko (also spelled Dmitrij Kitajenko; ; born 18 August 1940) is a Soviet and Russian conductor. He was bestowed the title People's Artist of the USSR (1984). He was born in Leningrad, Soviet Union. He studied at Glinka C ...

(1990–1998) *

Simone Young Simone Margaret Young AM (born 2 March 1961) is an Australian conductor and academic teacher. She is currently chief conductor of the Sydney Symphony Orchestra. Biography and career Young was born in Sydney, of Irish ancestry on her father' ...

(1998–2002) *

(2003–2015) *

(2015–2024)

Bergen Philharmonic Orchestra timeline

*1765 – ''Det Musicalske Selskab'' (The Musical Society) established *1769 – Society renamed ''Det Harmoniske Selskab'' (The Harmonic Society) *1770 – Society has over 30 members, one-third are singers. Thursday set as concert day. *1771 – Fire destroys concert locale. *1773 – Society rents ''Altona'' as concert locale (until 1807). *1774 – Society has 20 instrumentalists, mirroring

Joseph Haydn Franz Joseph Haydn ( ; ; 31 March 173231 May 1809) was an Austrian composer of the Classical period (music), Classical period. He was instrumental in the development of chamber music such as the string quartet and piano trio. His contributions ...

's Esterhazy orchestra of 1766 to 1790 *1783 – Society engages Ole Rødder as a paid violinist. *1785 – Society's orchestra has 25 members. *1799 – Johan Henrich Poulson, student of

Giovanni Battista Viotti Giovanni Battista Viotti (12 May 1755 – 3 March 1824) was an Italian violinist whose virtuosity was famed and whose work as a composer featured a prominent violin and an appealing lyrical tunefulness. He was also a director of French and Italia ...

leads orchestra. *1811 – Society buys its own building on King Oscar's street. Orchestra has c. 30 members. *1812 – Society's members give free instruction to young musicians, some of whom play in the orchestra. *1818 – violinist

Ole Bull Ole Bornemann Bull (; 5 February 181017 August 1880) was a Norwegian virtuoso violinist and composer. According to Robert Schumann, he was on a level with Niccolò Paganini for the speed and clarity of his playing. Biography Background Bull was ...

begins playing in the orchestra at age 8. *1819 – violinist Ole Bull performs

Ignaz Pleyel Ignaz (Ignace) Joseph Pleyel (; ; 18 June 1757 – 14 November 1831) was an Austrian composer, music publisher and piano builder of the Classical period. He grew up in Austria (then part of the Holy Roman Empire), and was educated there; in his ...

concerto with orchestra. *1820 – Swede Mathias Lundholm becomes orchestra's conductor. *1827 – Prague-born Ferdinand Giovanni Schediwy named conductor. Haydn, Mozart and Beethoven dominate orchestra's repertoire. *1839 – As a promotion, the society advertises that each man can bring two women to concerts. *1855 – Otto Lübbert becomes musical leader. *1856 – Society renamed ''Musikselskabet Harmonien''. Ferdinand A. Rojahn named orchestra leader. First part of Haydn's "Creation" performed after over 100 rehearsals. *1859 – August Fries named conductor. *1862 – Musicians from ''Harmonien'' assist the 18-year-old

with his first concert in his home city of Bergen after his studies in

Leipzig Leipzig (, ; ; Upper Saxon: ; ) is the most populous city in the States of Germany, German state of Saxony. The city has a population of 628,718 inhabitants as of 2023. It is the List of cities in Germany by population, eighth-largest city in Ge ...

. Amadeus Wolfgang Maczewsky becomes orchestra leader. *1863 – Edvard Grieg performs a

Beethoven Ludwig van Beethoven (baptised 17 December 177026 March 1827) was a German composer and pianist. He is one of the most revered figures in the history of Western music; his works rank among the most performed of the classical music repertoire ...

sonata with Maczewsky on a Society concert. *1865 – August Fries leads Grieg's ''Symphony in C Minor''. *1866 –

Felix Mendelssohn Jakob Ludwig Felix Mendelssohn Bartholdy (3 February 18094 November 1847), widely known as Felix Mendelssohn, was a German composer, pianist, organist and conductor of the early Romantic music, Romantic period. Mendelssohn's compositions inc ...

's ''Elijah'' performed with Nina Hagerup as a soloist. *1870 – Orchestra has 41 permanent members *1871 –

Johan Svendsen Johan Severin Svendsen (30 September 184014 June 1911) was a Norwegian composer, conductor and violinist. Born in Christiania (now Oslo), Norway, he lived most of his life in Copenhagen, Denmark. Svendsen's output includes two symphonies, a vi ...

's Symphony in D Major is played for the first time in Bergen. *1873 –

hired as conductor. *1875 – German Adolf Blomberg becomes Kapellmeister. *1879 –

hired as conductor after Grieg declines offer. *1880 – Edvard Grieg becomes artistic director. *1881 – Orchestra performs Grieg's A minor Piano Concerto with Alice Lindberg as soloist. *1882 – Composer Iver Holter becomes conductor. *1883 – Orchestra premieres Grieg's ''Landkjenning'' *1885 –

hired as concertmaster *1886 –

Per Winge Per Carl Winge (27 August 1858 – 7 September 1935) was a Norwegian conductor, pianist and composer, known primarily for his vocal music.

named conductor. *1889 – No concerts. *1893 – Johan Halvorsen becomes conductor. During his six seasons as conductor, he introduces music of Glinka, Delibes, Dvořák,

Humperdinck Humperdinck or Humperdink is a surname. Notable people with the surname include: * Engelbert Humperdinck (composer) (1854–1921), German composer * Adelheid Wette née Humperdinck (1858–1916), German author, composer, and folklorist; librettist o ...

and

Sibelius Jean Sibelius (; ; born Johan Julius Christian Sibelius; 8 December 186520 September 1957) was a Finnish composer of the late Romantic and early modern periods. He is widely regarded as his country's greatest composer, and his music is often ...

to Bergensers. *1907 – Death of

. *1908 –

becomes principal conductor. "Edvard Grieg's Fund" established. *1915 – Orchestra celebrates 150th season. First concert in ''Koncert-Palæet''. *1919 – Orchestra reorganized and employs 40 full-time musicians. *1920–21 –

conducts his own works: '' Symphony No. 2'', ''

The Swan of Tuonela ''The Swan of Tuonela'' () is an 1895 tone poem by the Finnish composer Jean Sibelius. It is part of the '' (Four Legends from the Kalevala)'', Op. 22, based on the Finnish mythological epic the '' Kalevala''. ''The Swan of Tuonela'' was or ...

'' and ''

Finlandia ''Finlandia'', Op. 26, is a tone poem by the Finnish composer Jean Sibelius. It was written in 1899 and revised in 1900. The piece was composed for the Press Celebrations of 1899, a covert protest against increasing censorship from the R ...

'' *1923–24 –

Carl Nielsen Carl August Nielsen (; 9 June 1865 – 3 October 1931) was a Danish composer, conductor, and violinist, widely recognized as his country's most prominent composer. Brought up by poor yet musically talented parents on the island of Funen, he d ...

conducts his own works, including ''

The Four Temperaments ''The Four Temperaments'' or Theme and Four Variations (''The Four Temperaments'') is an orchestral work and ballet by Paul Hindemith. Although it was originally conceived as a ballet for Léonide Massine, the score was ultimately completed a ...

''. Orchestra premieres

''Symphony No. 2''. *1924–25 –

Pierre Monteux Pierre Benjamin Monteux (; 4 April 18751 July 1964) was a French (later American) conductor. After violin and viola studies, and a decade as an orchestral player and occasional conductor, he began to receive regular conducting engagements in 1 ...

guest conducts. *1925–26 – Orchestra celebrates its 160th season. *1927–28 – First radio broadcasts of orchestra's concerts. *1930–31 –

Marian Anderson Marian Anderson (February 27, 1897April 8, 1993) was an American contralto. She performed a wide range of music, from opera to spirituals. Anderson performed with renowned orchestras in major concert and recital venues throughout the United S ...

solos with orchestra three years before her London debut.

Kurt Atterberg Kurt Magnus Atterberg (, 12 December 188715 February 1974) was a Swedish composer and civil engineer.Don Michael Randel, editor (1996). "Atterberg, Kurt", ''The Harvard Biographical Dictionary of Music''. Cambridge, Massachusetts: The Belknap Pres ...

conducts his own ''Symphony Nr. 6''. *1931–32 – Orchestra premieres

''Symphony No. 3''. *1934–35 –

Karol Szymanowski Karol Maciej Szymanowski (; 3 October 188229 March 1937) was a Polish composer and pianist. He was a member of the modernism (music), modernist Young Poland movement that flourished in the late 19th and early 20th century. Szymanowski's early w ...

featured as soloist in his own ''Sinfonia Concertante'' for piano and orchestra. *1938 – First "Young Soloists Concert." *1939–40 – Orchestra holds first "Worker's Concert" *1941 – At the orchestra's 175-year jubilee concert, a Nazi mob protests against

Ernst Glaser Ernst Glaser (24 February 1904 – 3 April 1979) was a German / Norwegian violinist, orchestra conductor and music teacher, married to the pianist Kari Marie Aarvold Glaser. He was the father of the pianist Liv Glaser and the cellist Ernst S ...

, a Jew who was scheduled to perform as soloist on

's violin. He is whisked away by rescuers and the concert is cancelled after the first number. *1942–43 – Orchestra gives five memorial concerts for

's 100-year jubilee. *1943 – Air-raid warning interrupts season opening concert. *1944–45 – Concert time changed to 6:00 p.m. because of 9:00 curfew. Orchestra holds

benefit concert A benefit concert or charity concert is a type of musical benefit performance (e.g., concert, show, or gala) featuring musicians, comedians, or other performers that is held for a charitable purpose, often directed at a specific and immediate h ...

for victims of bombing in Laksevåg. *1946–47 – Orchestra premieres

''Oboe Concerto.'' School concert series begins. *1947–48 – Site for Grieg Hall selected. Haakon B. Wallem donates one million

Norwegian Kroner The krone (, currency sign, abbreviation: kr (also NKr for distinction); ISO 4217, code: NOK), plural ''kroner'', is the currency of the Kingdom of Norway (including List of possessions of Norway, overseas territories and dependencies). It was t ...

to building fund. *1948 –

becomes principal conductor. *1951 – Orchestra employs 54 full-time musicians. *1952–53 – Carl von Garaguly named Artistic Director. *1953 – Bergen International Festival begins.

conducts. *1953–54 – ''Harmonien's fund for New Music'' established. *1954–55 –

guest conducts. *1956–57 – Orchestra premieres

Egil Hovland Egil Hovland (October 18, 1924 – February 5, 2013) was a Norwegian composer. Hovland was born in Råde. He studied at the Oslo conservatory with Arild Sandvold and Bjarne Brustad, in Copenhagen with Vagn Holmboe, at Tanglewood with Aaron ...

''Symphony No. 2.'' *1957–58 – Orchestra premieres

Geirr Tveitt Geirr Tveitt (born Nils Tveit; 19 October 1908 – 1 February 1981) was a Norwegian composer and pianist. Tveitt was a central figure of the national movement in Norwegian cultural life during the 1930s. Life Early years Tveitt was born in Be ...

''Brudlaupssuiten.'' *1958–59 – Arvid Fladmoe becomes Artistic Director. Orchestra employs 60 full-time musicians. *1961–62 –

guest conducts. *1962–63 – Orchestra has first international tour, to Copenhagen, Denmark. *1964 –

becomes principal conductor *1966 – Tour to the U. S. A. under the name "Norwegian Festival Orchestra." Orchestra celebrates 200th season. Karsten Andersen named Artistic Director. *1968 – King Olav V of Norway lays cornerstone of the

. *1969–70 – Orchestra premieres

Ragnar Søderlind Ragnar Søderlind (born 27 June 1945) is a Norwegian composer. He has written ballets and operas, and for the concert hall, programmatic works based on poems. Biography Ragnar studied with Conrad Baden in Oslo and with Erik Bergman and Joonas K ...

''Polaris.'' *1970–71 –

conducts ''Rileys in C.'' Orchestra tours England. *1972–73 – Orchestra tours Germany. Orchestra premieres Magnar Åm ''Bøn.'' *1974–75 – Orchestra premieres

Allan Pettersson Gustaf Allan Pettersson (19 September 1911 – 20 June 1980) was a Swedish composer and violist. He is considered one of the 20th century's most important Swedish composers and was described as one of the last great symphonists, ...

''Symphony No. 11'' *1975–76 –

conducts his own works. *1976–77 – Orchestra premieres Ketil Hvoslef ''Cello Concerto.'' *1978 – Orchestra moves to the Grieg Hall. *1979–80 – Orchestra tours Tallinn, Moscow and Leningrad.

Antal Doráti Antal Doráti (, , ; 9 April 1906 – 13 November 1988) was a Hungarian-born conductor and composer who became a naturalized American citizen in 1943. Biography Antal Doráti was born in Budapest to a Jewish family. His father Alexander Do ...

guest conducts. *1980–81 –

conducts his own works.

conducts orchestra for first time. Orchestra employs 72 full-time musicians. *1982–83 –

conducts his own works.

conducts orchestra for first time. *1984–85 – Orchestra tours Belgium and France. *1985 –

becomes principal conductor *1986 – Name changed to ''Bergen Filharmoniske Orkester.'' Orchestra employs 83 full-time musicians. *1989 – Orchestra employs 89 full-time musicians. *1990 –

becomes principal conductor *1997 –

Lorentz Reitan Lorentz Reitan (born 5 January 1946) is a Norwegian musicologist. He was born in Haugesund. He was an associate professor at Bergen Teacher's College from 1976 to 1989, then director of the Bergen International Festival from 1990 to 1995. From 19 ...

becomes managing director *1998 –

becomes principal conductor *2000 –

and

Luciano Berio Luciano Berio (24 October 1925 – 27 May 2003) was an Italian composer noted for his experimental music, experimental work (in particular his 1968 composition ''Sinfonia (Berio), Sinfonia'' and his series of virtuosic solo pieces titled ''Seque ...

each conduct their own works. *2002 – Orchestra tours Austria (

Bregenz Bregenz (; ) is the capital of Vorarlberg, the westernmost states of Austria, state of Austria. The city lies on the east and southeast shores of Lake Constance, the third-largest freshwater lake in Central Europe, between Switzerland in the wes ...

Salzburg Salzburg is the List of cities and towns in Austria, fourth-largest city in Austria. In 2020 its population was 156,852. The city lies on the Salzach, Salzach River, near the border with Germany and at the foot of the Austrian Alps, Alps moun ...

Vienna Vienna ( ; ; ) is the capital city, capital, List of largest cities in Austria, most populous city, and one of Federal states of Austria, nine federal states of Austria. It is Austria's primate city, with just over two million inhabitants. ...

and

Graz Graz () is the capital of the Austrian Federal states of Austria, federal state of Styria and the List of cities and towns in Austria, second-largest city in Austria, after Vienna. On 1 January 2025, Graz had a population of 306,068 (343,461 inc ...

) and Croatia (

Zagreb Zagreb ( ) is the capital (political), capital and List of cities and towns in Croatia#List of cities and towns, largest city of Croatia. It is in the Northern Croatia, north of the country, along the Sava river, at the southern slopes of the ...

) with Spanish conductor

Rafael Frühbeck de Burgos Rafael Frühbeck de Burgos (born Rafael Frühbeck; 15 September 1933 – 11 June 2014) was a Spanish conductor and composer. Frühbeck was born in Burgos, Spain to a family of German ancestry. He first took up conducting while on military serv ...

*2003 –

becomes principal conductor, takes orchestra on tour to Spain. *2005 – Andrew Litton named artistic director. Orchestra celebrates its 240th season. Litton leads European tour with concerts in

Udine Udine ( ; ; ; ; ) is a city and (municipality) in northeastern Italy, in the middle of the Friuli-Venezia Giulia region, between the Adriatic Sea and the Carnic Alps. It is the capital of the Province of Udine, Regional decentralization entity ...

Ljubljana {{Infobox settlement , name = Ljubljana , official_name = , settlement_type = Capital city , image_skyline = {{multiple image , border = infobox , perrow = 1/2/2/1 , total_widt ...

, Rome,

and

Innsbruck Innsbruck (; ) is the capital of Tyrol (federal state), Tyrol and the List of cities and towns in Austria, fifth-largest city in Austria. On the Inn (river), River Inn, at its junction with the Wipptal, Wipp Valley, which provides access to the ...

. *2006 – Orchestra roster increased to 98 musicians. Orchestra goes on

strike Strike may refer to: People *Strike (surname) * Hobart Huson, author of several drug related books Physical confrontation or removal *Strike (attack), attack with an inanimate object or a part of the human body intended to cause harm * Airstrike, ...

during Bergen International Festival. Sten Cranner becomes managing director. *2007 – Touring to the Concertgebouw (Amsterdam), Birmingham Symphony Hall and Royal Albert Hall, PROMS (London), with Boris Berezovsky as piano-soloist. 12-concert tour of the US including Carnegie Hall, New York. Soloist: André Watts, piano. *2008 – Concert at Musikverein, Vienna. Soloist Johannes Moser, cello. Three-concert tour of Poland, Estonia and Sweden with soloist Nikolaj Znaider, violin.

Bergen Philharmonic Orchestra partial discography

BIS records: * Peter Tchaikovsky and Alexander Glazunov: Violin Concertos. Vadim Gluzman, violin. Andrew Litton, conductor * Peter Tchaikovsky: Suites from ''

Swan Lake ''Swan Lake'' ( rus, Лебеди́ное о́зеро, r=Lebedínoje ózero, p=lʲɪbʲɪˈdʲinəjə ˈozʲɪrə, links=no ), Op. 20, is a ballet composed by Russian composer Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky in 1875–76. Despite its initial failu ...

'', '' The Sleeping Beauty'', ''

The Nutcracker ''The Nutcracker'' (, ), Opus number, Op. 71, is an 1892 two-act classical ballet (conceived as a '; ) by Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky, set on Christmas Eve at the foot of a Christmas tree in a child's imagination featuring a Nutcracker doll. Th ...

''.

Neeme Järvi Neeme Järvi (; born 7 June 1937) is an Estonian Americans, Estonian American conductor. Early life Järvi was born in Tallinn. He initially studied music there, and later in Saint Petersburg, Leningrad at the Leningrad Conservatory under Yevge ...

, conductor * Edvard Grieg: The Complete Orchestral Music. BIS-CD-1740/42 (8cds). Ole Kristian Ruud, conductor * Kalevi Aho – Concerto for Contrabassoon and Orchestra. Lewis Lipnick, contrabassoon. Andrew Litton, conductor. BIS-CD-1574. 2007 *

Sergei Prokofiev Sergei Sergeyevich Prokofiev; alternative transliterations of his name include ''Sergey'' or ''Serge'', and ''Prokofief'', ''Prokofieff'', or ''Prokofyev''. , group=n ( – 5 March 1953) was a Russian composer, pianist, and conductor who l ...

– ''Romeo and Juliet'', Andrew Litton, conductor. BIS-SACD- * Edvard Grieg – Olav Trygvason, Orchestral Songs. Ole Kristian Ruud, conductor, Solveig Kringelborn, soprano, Ingebjørg Kosmo, mezzo-soprano,

Trond Halstein Moe Trond Halstein Moe (born December 20, 1954, Trondheim, Norway) is a Norwegian operatic baritone. He trained at University of Trondheim and the Norwegian Academy of Music, and in 1987 won First Prize in the International Hans Gabor ''Belvedere'' ...

baritone, Marita Solberg, soprano, Bergen Philharmonic Choir, Kor Vest, Voci Nobili. 2006. BIS-SACD-1531 * Edvard Grieg – ''Peer Gynt'' Suites. Ole Kristian Ruud, conductor. 2006. BIS-SACD-1591 * Edvard Grieg – ''Holberg Suite'', Music for Strings. Ole Kristian Ruud, conductor. 2005. BIS-SACD-1491 *

– ''Peer Gynt'' (The Complete Incidental Music) (May 2005) SACD-1441/42 *

Arvo Pärt Arvo Pärt (; born 11 September 1935) is an Estonian composer of contemporary classical music. Since the late 1970s, Pärt has worked in a minimalist style that employs tintinnabuli, a compositional technique he invented. Pärt's music is in p ...

– ''Spiegel im Spiegel'' (April 2005) CD-1434 *Edvard Grieg – ''Sigurd Jorsalfar'' (March 2004 SACD-1391 *Edvard Grieg – Orchestral Dances (May 2003) SACD-1291 *Edvard Grieg – Piano Concerto (February 2003) SACD-1191 *

Benjamin Britten Edward Benjamin Britten, Baron Britten of Aldeburgh (22 November 1913 – 4 December 1976) was an English composer, conductor, and pianist. He was a central figure of 20th-century British music, with a range of works including opera, o ...

– ''The Young Person's Guide to the Orchestra'' (January 1989) CD-420 *

Robert Schumann Robert Schumann (; ; 8 June 181029 July 1856) was a German composer, pianist, and music critic of the early Romantic music, Romantic era. He composed in all the main musical genres of the time, writing for solo piano, voice and piano, chamber ...

– Symphonies No. 3 & No. 4, re-orchestrated by Gustav Mahler (January 1988) CD-394 *Robert Schumann – Symphonies No. 1 & No. 2, re-orchestrated by Gustav Mahler (January 1987) CD-361 *

Eduard Tubin Eduard Tubin ( – 17 November 1982) was an Estonian composer, conductor, and choreographer. Life Tubin was born in Torila, Tartu County, Governorate of Livonia, then part of the Russian Empire. Both his parents were music lovers, and his fath ...

– Symphony No. 4 (January 1986) CD-227, also available in a compilation of the Tubin symphonies, CD-1402/04 Hyperion: * Eyvind Alnæs and Christian Sinding: Piano Concertos. Piers Lane, piano. Andrew Litton, conductor. 2007. Hyperion CDA67555 Chandos: *

Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov Nikolai Andreyevich Rimsky-Korsakov. At the time, his name was spelled , which he romanized as Nicolas Rimsky-Korsakow; the BGN/PCGN transliteration of Russian is used for his name here; ALA-LC system: , ISO 9 system: .. (18 March 1844 – 2 ...

– Symphony No. 1; Symphony No. 2 "Antar"; Symphony No. 3; ''Capriccio espagnol''; ''Russian Easter Overture''; Piano Concerto; ''Sadko''. Geoffrey Tozer (piano), Bergen Philharmonic Orchestra, Chandos 6613 CD Nkf: *Bull: ''Herdgirl's Sunday'', Bergen Symphony Orchestra with Arve Tellefsen. Conducted by Karsten Andersen (1995) ASIN: B0000044TC Simax: *

Ludvig Irgens-Jensen Paul Ludvig Irgens-Jensen (13 April 1894 – 11 April 1969) was a Norwegian twentieth-century composer. Biography Irgens-Jensen studied piano with Nils Larsen while a philology student at the University of Oslo. He began composing in 1920 and th ...

– ''Japanischer Frühling''; ''Passacaglia''; ''Pastorale religioso''; ''Canto d'omaggio'', Bergen Philharmonic Orchestra, Ragnhild Heiland Sorensen (soprano),

Eivind Aadland Eivind Aadland (born 19 September 1956) is a Norwegian conductor and violinist. He has been concert master of the Bergen Philharmonic Orchestra. Since 2020 he has been Chief Conductor and Artistic Director of the Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra Aad ...

(conductor) Simax 1164 CD Virgin Classics: *''Boléro'': French & Russian Orchestral Favorites, Dmitri Kitajenko (conductor) ASIN: B000059LOF *Classical Dreams: Music to Inspire; Bergen Philharmonic Orchestra, Bournemouth Sinfonietta, et al. ASIN: B00005Q467 *Grieg: Piano Concerto – Sonata Op. 7, ''Lyric Pieces'', Opp. 43, 54 & 65, Leif Ove Andsnes (piano) #61745 (2000) ASIN: B00004LCAV *Grieg: Symphonic Dances Op64; ''Funeral March in Memory of Richard Nordraak'', Dmitri Kitajenko (conductor) (2000) ASIN: B000026CIK Decca: *Grieg: Symphony in c minor, Karsten Andersen (conductor), Decca SXDL 7537 Other:

References

External links

Official Bergen Philharmonic Orchestra website

BergenPhilLive - Bergen Philharmonic Orchestra Live-stream Concerts

IMG Artists: Bergen Philharmonic Orchestra

Bergen Philharmonic Orchestra
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AllMusic AllMusic (previously known as All-Music Guide and AMG) is an American online database, online music database. It catalogs more than three million album entries and 30 million tracks, as well as information on Musical artist, musicians and Mus ...

Bergen Philharmonic Orchestra
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Discogs Discogs ( ; short for " discographies") is a database of information about audio recordings, including commercial releases, promotional releases, and bootleg or off-label releases. Database contents are user-generated, and described in ''T ...

Bergen Philharmonic Orchestra
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BIS Records BIS Records is a record label founded in 1973 by Robert von Bahr. It is located in Åkersberga, Sweden. BIS focuses on classical music, both contemporary and early, especially works that are not already well represented by existing recording ...

Bergen Philharmonic Orchestra
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Chandos Records Chandos Records is a British independent classical music recording company based in Colchester. It was founded in 1979 by Brian Couzens.Bergen Philharmonic Orchestra
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Hyperion Records Hyperion Records is a British classical music record label. It was independent until February 2023, when it was acquired by the Universal Music Group. Under Universal, Hyperion is one of the three main classical record labels, alongside Decca a ...

* ''Spill orkester, spill!'' Edited by Lorentz Reitan and Reidar Storaas; A.s. John Grieg 1990; Bergen, Norway. *

Bergens Tidende is Norway's fifth-largest newspaper, and the country's largest newspaper outside Oslo. is owned by the public company Schibsted ASA. Norwegian owners held a mere 42% of the shares in Schibsted at the end of 2015. History and profile Founded ...

article
''Lorentz takker av''

Music Information Centre Norway: Bergen Filharmoniske Orkester
{{Authority control Norwegian orchestras Symphony orchestras Tourist attractions in Bergen Organizations established in 1765 Arts organizations established in the 1760s Musical groups established in the 18th century 1765 establishments in Norway Musical groups from Bergen Erato Records artists Edvard Grieg