A Christmas Concert from Norway will be broadcast on PBS stations throughout the U.S. over the next few days. I attended this concert at the historic Vang Church in Hamar a few weeks ago. It features Grammy-nominated musicians from around the world and is hosted by Princess Märtha Louise and Hollywood Director Harald Zwart.
The producers are Mari and HÃ¥kon Samuelson. This brother and sister duo are in their 20’s and very talented musicians in their own right.
They were featured on A Prairie Home Companion a number of years ago. The producer of that program was taken by their talents, visited them in Norway and decided to produce a broadcast of A Christmas Concert from Norway (now in its 5th year).
When I asked Mari and HÃ¥kon about their success at such a young age, they reminded me that they’ve been playing since they were 3 and 5 years old – so this really wasn’t anything new for them. Fair enough.
For this concert, Mari and HÃ¥kon have assembled a world-class gathering of artists including:
- Measha Brueggergosman – a 2010 Grammy-nominated soprano from New Brunswick, Canada. Measha gets around. She had performed at Carnegie Hall just days before her arrival in Hamar and you might remember her from the opening ceremonies of the 2010 Winter Olympics!
- Trondheim Soloists – Based in Trondheim, Norway, this chamber ensemble of string players has been nominated in 2 categories for this year’s Grammy awards!
- Didrik Solli-Tangen – Though he doesn’t necessarily categorize himself as an opera singer, this Norwegian tenor performs a beautiful version of Ave Maria.
- Siri Kval ØdegÃ¥rd – Siri was the winner of a competition to sing at this year’s program and performs a piece by Handal.
- And, of course both Mari and HÃ¥kon perform throughout the program. Mari on violin and HÃ¥kon on cello.
- The Oslo Philharmonic Orchestra and Choir Collegium Vocale back up many of the performances.
Check listings for your local PBS station for when A Christmas Concert from Norway will air in your area. Seattleites – this will be on KCTS at 4 p.m. on Christmas Day!
Travel Well!
Beth
All photos (c)2010 Jason R. Rich. All rights reserved.
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Your Christmas Concert from Norway presentation was absolutely beautiful.
Siri Kvarel’s voice is something to enjoy ! My only other memorable voice
was Kirsten Flagstad from the 50”s singing Haendel Arias. I listened to her
stunning voice on BBC over a CBC Toronto station, while serving with the
Strategic Air Command at the Thule Air Force Base in Greenland.
Thank you for your meaningful and memorable broadcast
selection !
Joseph H.Henderson
Greece, N.Y. USA
Your Christmas concert from Norway was beautiful, is it possible
I could purchase it? Please advise.
It’s not yet for sale, Linda. My guess is that it won’t be until next Christmas but I’ll be sure to keep you posted if it’s sooner!
Hello,
I keep looking for info about tickets for 2011. I finally found a site that says that this year the concert will be on December 2 and 3. However, the main website still has the old dates and I can’t order tickets. Do you know when tickets will go on sale? My dad has never been to his ancestral lands and I would like to take him their this December and treat him to this concert in Hamar. Please let me know if you have any info on this.
Rich
I don’t know,, Rich. I would suggest to keep checking back on the concert’s website.
I would love to purchase the 2010 brocdast of A Christmas Concert from Norway. I saw it on PBS 12/25/11 in Minnesota. Is it possible for me to purchase a DVD and or CD? I may like to purchase others as well and future programs.
The concert I viewed was absolutely marvelous! I have it on TiVo and play it often as the music is wonderful.
Thank You,
Linda
Hi Linda,
I don’t think it’s available in the US. I’ve tried to get copies of it myself. Sorry!
Beth
I created a copy of the 2011 Christmas Concert from Norway on my TiVo, and have saved it there ever since. Each year I comb the Public Television listings during December to see if there will be a new concert. I believe I saw the 2011 program re-broadcast in 2012. Or am I dreaming?
At any rate. that powerful, inspiring, beautiful concert from 2011 remains saved on my TiVo. I watched it all the way through this evening (9/3/2017), then looked for any recordings that might be available through Amazon. Nothing.
How is it possible for an old Swede obtain a copy of this beautiful program to share with and leave to my offspring?