A new chapter for the Debut Series
— New concert concept for tomorrow's musicians is being tested in Håkon's Hall .
Håkon's Hall in Bergen. Photo: Ingvild Festervoll Melien
This summer, the Debut Series takes the step into one of the country's most historic concert halls: From August 7th to 9th, some of the Nordic region's leading young musicians will meet side by side with established names during The Håkon's Hall Concerts .
On Saturday, August 8, a completely new concept will be tested: four mini-concerts from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., where the audience will have a rare opportunity to experience a tailored selection of both new and well-known names with an exciting repertoire focus.
The debut series was launched in 2025 as a dedicated platform for young Nordic performers on the threshold of international careers. With this summer's concerts in Håkon's Hall The initiative is being brought into this space for the first time — where, among others, newly graduated musicians from the Grieg Academy and young freelancers from Bergen's music scene will be placed together with performers such as Mari Eriksmoen and Pål Eide .
A meeting between the generations. The core of the concept is precisely this meeting — between musicians who have just completed their education and those who have made a mark in the genre over several years. During The Håkon's Hall Concerts Benedicte Maurseth , one of Bergen's most prominent folk musicians, plays alongside, among others, the young violinists Alma Kraggerud and Henning Felde Haldorsen , pianist Kei Solvang and soprano Helen Tyssekvam .
— Håkon's Hall carries over seven hundred years of history within its walls. Letting some of Bergen's most exciting young musicians share the stage with established performers in such a space provides a setting that is hard to find anywhere else, says the artistic director of Aulaseriene , pianist Thormod Rønning Kvam.
— For the youngest, it's not just about playing well. They also need training in communicating, in standing in the room with an audience. You learn that best by working closely with musicians who have been doing just that for years. That's why we want the initiative to also have local roots, not just visiting names. Bergen has an environment that we want to build on over time, continues Rønning Kvam, who will be playing with some of the young performers on August 8th.
Photo: Ingvild Festervoll Melien
The following day, Sunday 9 August , the young, award-winning string quartet Saphir and pianist Ossi Tanner will take over, showing another side of the same commitment to young Nordic musicians. With them they will bring one of Sibelius' forgotten masterpieces: the Piano Quintet in G minor, which Norwegian Johan Halvorsen helped to premiere shortly before he himself came to Bergen to lead the Harmonien.
Long-term, local partners. — An initiative like this requires supporters who share a long-term view and enable us to think several years ahead. Therefore, we would like to extend special thanks to our main supporter in Bergen, Hilmar Rekstens Allmennyttige Fond, who through increased funding made this initiative possible this year. Thanks also to Westfal-Larsens Allmennyttige Fond and our regular and important public supporters: Vestland County Council and Bergen Municipality, concludes Rønning Kvam.
You can read more about this summer's programme and performers during The Håkon's Hall Concerts on this page . Feel free to sign up for our newsletter to receive updates directly to your inbox.
