PROGRAM
CLASSICAL MUSIC HAS ALWAYS BEEN EVOLVING – SO WHY SHOULDN'T IT NOW?
The programme of the 4-day festival is highly varied: In addition to the immortal masterpieces from the classical repertoire, we present a wide range of modern pieces and works by less known and marginalized composers, as well as uniquely composed pieces for the occasion.
We also blend genres, with top names from the electronic and jazz scenes joining classical musicians on stage, creating new sounds and eradicating established boundaries. All of this to showcase that classical music can be many things, and that beauty comes from mixing peoples and artforms together in new, open minded and collaborative ways.
Always experimenting and exploring new possibilities
We understand how the world of classical music can feel like a formal and old-fashioned thing – and we want to turn this perception on its head, by showcasing new, exciting and experimental projects.
With these special projects, we want to bring our take on how diverse and all-encompassing classical music truly is. These projects are a core part of the idea behind our festival, and our vision of becoming an innovate platform for classical music!
Read more about this year's special projects:
Wednesday
19.06.24
19:00
Opening Concert
WHAT TO EXPECT:
A little bit of everything! The deepest and most heartfelt romantic melodies in the second half, rhythmic and festive grooves, impressionistic French vibes, and a sonic appetizer in the form of a solo percussion piece to start it all!
Kaija Saariaho: Six Japanese Gardens (excerpt 1. + 3. movement)
Lorenzo Colombo (percussion)
Claude Debussy: Violin Sonata
Johan Dalene (violin), Sebastian Iivonen (piano)
Enrique Granados: Piano Quintet op. 49
Michael Germer (violin), Anna Agafia (violin), Michael Grolid (viola), Kristina Winiarski (cello), Sebastian Iivonen (piano)
Robert Schumann: Piano Quartet, op. 47
Johan Dalene (violin), Michael Grolid (viola), Jonathan Swensen (cello), Gustav Piekut (piano)
Note: Danish Radio will broadcast this concert
21:45
Mike Sheridan x Friends
WHAT TO EXPECT:
Expect a crossover between electronic and classical music. Come with open hearts and ears. This concert will be intense, atmospheric, and can best be described as an exploration of sounds featuring glass, metal, and the guts of a grand piano
Mike Sheridan (electronic musician and producer), Lorenzo Colombo (percussion), and Gustav Piekut (classical pianist) takes the stage. The performance will be one-of-a-kind and a world premiere to mark the opening of the festival.
The commission was initiated by Gustav Piekut who have long wanted to explore the creation of an electronic sound from a different approach than the keys on the piano. Through a series of workshops, the Lorenzo and Gustav have worked with Mike towards a shared musical language.
Iannis Xenakis: Psappha
Lorenzo Colombo (percussion)
Mike Sheridan: World premiere and improvisation
Program notes TBA
Mike Sheridan (electronics, composer), Gustav Piekut (piano/synthesizer), Lorenzo Colombo (percussion)
Free admission if you have a ticket for the 19:00 concert
Thursday
20.06.24
19:00
Dreams & Drama
WHAT TO EXPECT:
Clara and Robert Schumann were a famous married couple during the Romantic Era. You'll hear their dreams and dramas from both points of view. Along with their stories, you will hear other famous works by Beethoven & Mozart. These pieces are iconic works for a reason. Come and explore a full range of emotions.
Clara Schumann: Nocturne op. 6 no. 2
Sebastian Iivonen (piano)
Wolfgang A. Mozart: Piano Quartet in g-minor, K. 478
Anna Agafia (violin), Nicholas Swensen (viola), Kristina Winiarski (cello), Gustav Piekut (piano)
Robert Schumann: Three Fantasy Pieces, op. 73
Kristina Winiarski (cello), Sebastian Iivonen (piano)
César Franck: Violin Sonata
Johan Dalene (violin), Sebastian Iivonen (piano)
21:45
Stundom x Jonas Frølund
WHAT TO EXPECT:
Dance is everywhere! As an inseparable part of folk music, the movement of dance is also seen in various ways within the classical genre: waltzes, polkas, ballet, menuet and much more. Come and feel the swing and rhythm when folk music meets classical elements — let's dance the night away!
Stundom embodies the essence of new Nordic folk music. When they grace the stage together, there's a unique chemistry that unfolds. They embrace storytelling and create an atmosphere that makes time stand still.
On the other hand, Jonas is a remarkably versatile clarinet player. He performs with various classical orchestras, wind quintets (you might know V Coloris), and numerous other ensembles and projects — there's hardly anything Jonas hasn't tried or accomplished.
In 2024, they recorded a collaborative live album titled 'Fragmenter af en dans'. The music blends two distinct musical traditions, seamlessly transitioning between the folk and the classical tradition — you might describe this as a dance in itself.
Step into this world of classical and folk music this June, where Stundom and Jonas Frølund performs together as a quartet for a unique experience.
Jonas Frølund (clarinet & saxophone), Emma Kragh-Elmøe (violin & viola), Julian Svejgaard (keys), Villads Hoffmann (cittern & viola).
Free admission if you have a ticket for the 19:00 concert
Friday
21.06.24
19:00
Matias & Mahler take us to heaven
WHAT TO EXPECT:
We will ascend to heaven with Mahler’s iconic 4th Symphony, accompanied by the words from the Germann poem 'Das himmlische Leben' — the heavenly life. Matias has written a short piece to set the mood specifically for this occasion - sort of like a gateway to heaven.
Matias Vestergård: “DIE WELT OHNE SCHWERE"
Clara Cecilie Thomsen (soprano), Nicholas Swensen (conductor), Anna Agafia (violin), Selma Teilmann (violin), Michael Grolid (viola), Jonathan Swensen (cello), Einārs Everss (double bass), Jonas Frølund (clarinet), Katrin Mathiesen (clarinet), Anna Bennike (oboe), Kaja Marie Andersen (flute), Bjarke Schousboe (bassoon), Victor Koch (trumpet), Stephen Craigen (horn), Kasper Thaarup (trombone), Lorenzo Colombo (percussion), Marta Soggetti (percussion), Zach Hatcher (harp)
Gustav Mahler: Symphony no. 4 (arr. for chamber orchestra by Iain Farrington)
Clara Cecilie Thomsen (soprano), Nicholas Swensen (conductor), Anna Agafia (violin), Selma Teilmann (violin), Michael Grolid (viola), Jonathan Swensen (cello), Einārs Everss (double bass), Jonas Frølund (clarinet), Anna Bennike (oboe), Kaja Marie Andersen (flute), Bjarke Schousboe (bassoon), Victor Koch (trumpet), Stephen Craigen (horn), Kasper Thaarup (trombone), Lorenzo Colombo (percussion), Marta Soggetti (percussion), Alicja Krajewska (percussion), Zach Hatcher (harp)
21:45
Fini Sings with Strings
WHAT TO EXPECT:
To travel back down to earth again, we will enjoy tales from the American-songbook with warm and romantic jazz songs. All paired with strings, just to keep a bit of the heavenly touch. Expect your soul to be fulfilled after this evening.
Fini Sings (jazz trio) & Strings
In this constellation, the group Fini Sings, with Fini Broadbery as the front figure, intends to blend the old American songbook with the sounds of world-class string players. The trio invites a string quartet into their own sound picture to create warmth and a different dynamic in the music. In this interplay between classical string players and jazz musicians, the two expressions are fused together into a greater whole.
Fini Broadbery (vocal, keys), Rune Fog-Nielsen (bass), Karl Seyer-Hansen (drums), Michael Germer (violin), Anna Agafia (violin), Michael Grolid (viola), Jonathan Swensen (cello)
Free admission if you have a ticket for the 19:00 concert
Saturday
22.06.24
15:00
Carnival of the Animals
(Family Concert)
WHAT TO EXPECT:
A whimsical musical adventure to the grand carnival, where lions dance, elephants parade alonside graceful swans and delicate aquarium fish. Each animal will be accompanied by a musical portrait.
Prepare to be amazed and amused!
This adventure is for adults and children alike.
Camille Saint-Saëns: The Carnival of the Animals
Mathias Hammer (narrator), Michael Germer (violin), Selma Teilmann (violin), Michael Grolid (viola), Kristina Winiarski (cello), Einārs Everss (double bass), Jonas Frølund (clarinet), Kaja Marie Andersen (flute), Lorenzo Colombo (percussion), Sebastian Iivonen (piano), Lea Han (piano)
Mathias Hammer will act as the narrator. Note that this concert will be conducted in DANISH. The recommended age group for children is 3-12 years.
17:00
Social Dining
To celebrate the 5 year anniversay of Festival & Friends we invite you all to a special intimate social dinner on the last day of the festival!
Welcome to a special six-course dinner served in two parts.
We will start with three fresh servings:
Romaine lettuce in Green Goddess dressing, a creative shiso taco with cabbage salad, and a trio of pickled radishes, cucumber, and carrot.
For the main course, we offer warm dishes, consisting of grilled skewers with oyster mushrooms and chicken, nourishing miso soup, and delicate rice with onsen egg and sesame soy sauce.
The social dinner will take place in the courtyard of KoncertKirken -- the perfect intimate setting.
We wish to create a more involving and holistic concert experience. Come and join us for this special one-nigh-only event!
Only 40 seats available. Find the event where you find your concerts.
Get a discount with a full festival pass.
19:00
Flourishing Finale
WHAT TO EXPECT:
Ferocity, virtuosity, and a touch of Disney-like melodies. The first half of this concert will leave you breathless, and the second half will leave you wanting more!
What a way to celebrate the festival finale.
Henri Dutilleux: Trois Strophes Sur Le Nom De Sacher
Jonathan Swensen (cello)
Lera Auerbach: Preludes for Violin and Piano, no. 3, 4, 8, 24
Johan Dalene (violin), Sebastian Iivonen (piano)
Kelly-Marie Murphy: Dark Energy
Johan Dalene (violin), Michael Germer (violin), Michael Grolid (violin), Kristina Winiarski (cello)
Erich W. Korngold: Piano Quintet, op. 15
Anna Agafia (violin), Michael Germer (violin), Nicholas Swensen (viola), Jonathan Swensen (cello), Gustav Piekut (piano)
22:30
Official Afterparty
@ Fantom Bar
Every year we have celebrated the festival. This year we want to make it official.
The Afterparty is open and free to all. There might even be a few surprises during the evening…
Thank you to everyone who has been involved and supported the festival in the past couple of years. We hope to see many of you! Come and celebrate with us!
At FANTOM Bar, Griffenfeldsgade 6 (550 m from KoncertKirken)
Tagensvej 196b
2400 København NV
CVR: 4139 0425
Contact us:
contact@festivalnfriends.dk
+45 30 36 30 78
© Festival & Friends
Design: Marcus Melo
www.marcusmelo.design
