Victoria International Arts Festival has a very special relationship with Norway, as it has with Upper Austria. This is because Norway sends the prize winners of their National Music Competition for Youths to perform in our Festival, and this in no uncertain way raises the international profile of our project.  

For the tenth consecutive year, the organizers of the Norwegian Music Competition for Youths is sending two very promising musicians, namely, Kristin Hammerseth (flute) and Lars Fredrik Nystad (pianoforte) to perform for us this evening. This is again a different chamber formation than we have had so far and the repertoire for flute and piano is as varied as it is eclectic. Works on the programme include compositions by the evergreen George Gershwin, the French Impressionist Claude Debussy, Norwegian composer Geirr Tveitt, whose marvellous Folk Tunes will be performed, Russian composer Rodion Shchedrin, Italian Luciano Berio and, last but not least, German Carl Reinecke.

Kristin Hammerseth commenced her Flute studies at the age of seven, following a programme for talented students at the Norwegian Academy of Music. She won the first prize in the prestigious Norwegian Competition for Youth in 2009, 2011 and 2013, being also honoured with the Musician of the Year prize for the three years. She is also the recipient of other Competition prizes in Italy. Kristin has performed extensively as a soloist, in chamber music formations, and also with the Staff Band of the Norwegian Armed Forces and the Oslo Symphony Orchestra. Recitals have taken her to Poland, Germany and Spain. Furthering her studies, Kristin has attended master classes with world-class flutists, namely, Pierre-Yves Artaud, Ian Clarke, Philippe Boucly, Per Øien and others. Two years ago, she also won a scholarship which enabled her to study in Quebec, Canada. Apart from pursuing a Bachelor Degree at the Norwegian Academy of Music, Kristin is also a student at the prestigious High School of Music and Theatre, Munich, where she studies with Philippe Boucly.

Lars Fredrik Nystad is one of Norway’s most prominent young pianists.  Starting his musical studies at the young age of six, he was enrolled at the prestigious Barratt Due Institute of Music. He made his debut as a soloist two years ago with the Bergen Philharmonic Orchestra and is currently furthering advanced Pianoforte Performance at the Norwegian Academy of Music. Lars made a definitive breakthrough when he was just sixteen years of age at one of the most important Festivals for young musicians in Europe, the Valdres Festival, Norway, when he gave a stunning performance of Bach’s The Goldberg Variations. As they say, the rest is history. His performances have taken him all over Europe and last year he won first prize at the coveted Norwegian Music Competition for Youth, which enabled him to give concerts in China and during the Victoria International Arts Festival. Lars is also an avid chamber music player and earlier this year his own Piano Trio won first prize in the chamber music competition organized by the Norwegian Academy of Music.

Concert will be in the Aula Mgr G. Farrugia and starts at 8pm. Hope to see you there!!