— A rediscovered masterpiece.
When Sibelius was 24 years old and studying in Berlin, he composed his only piano quintet — a five-movement work of almost orchestral power. At its premiere in Helsinki in 1890, none other than Ferruccio Busoni was at the piano, with Norwegian Johan Halvorsen on violin — the same person who, a few years later, would lead the Bergen Philharmonic Orchestra here in Bergen. Sibelius himself never heard the work in its completed form: It was first performed in its entirety at the centenary of his birth in 1965.
Mozart's Divertimento in F major for string quartet is also a work of youth: the composer was only 16 years old when he wrote his three so-called Salzburg Divertimentos in the winter of 1772. In Håkon's Hall These two youthful works are framed by Sibelius's beautiful and subtle piano cycle The Trees, Op. 75 and the melancholic but very popular Valse triste .
Essentially, this evening will be a celebration of youthful creativity — featuring some of the Nordic's leading next generation artists. Award-winning Saphir Quartet will be joined by Finnish pianist Ossi Tanner, proclaimed a 'romantic virtuoso' by Helsingin Sanomat. Read more about the performers and programme below. Welcome!
Amanda Noor Vatn violin
Philippe Jayer violin
Torje Råbu viola
Iris Kalliovirta cello
Ossi Tanner piano
This concert is supported by the Norwegian-Finnish Cultural Fund.
Duration approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes including break.
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The Saphir Quartet consists of Amanda Noor Vatn, Philippe Jayer, Torje Råbu, and Iris Kalliovirta. The quartet was established in 2018 at the Barratt Due Institute of Music in Oslo, where they received guidance from Kari Ravnan until 2024. Their major international breakthrough came in 2024 when they won first prize in the junior division of the prestigious Fischoff National Chamber Music Competition in the USA. The quartet has performed at venues including the Royal Palace, Nidaros Cathedral, and the University Aula, and participated in Voksenåsen's mentorship programme with the Danish String Quartet during the 2024/25 season. “Saphir is in a class of its own, elevating the evening with its repertoire choice, joy of playing, and passion for communication,” wrote Maren Ørstavik of Aftenposten.
Ossi Tanner has been almost unanimously hailed by critics as a 'piano poet'. Following his victory in the Tampere Competition in 2017, he has performed as a soloist with virtually all of Finland's orchestras, including the Helsinki Philharmonic Orchestra and the Finnish Radio Symphony Orchestra, collaborating with conductors such as Klaus Mäkelä, Susanna Mälkki, and Sakari Oramo. Until recently, he was the artistic director of the Kamarikesä Chamber Music Festival in Helsinki and now leads the KAIKU concert series at the Finnish Institute in Paris.
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Jean Sibelius (1865—1957)
The Trees, Op. 75
Valse triste, Op. 44Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (1756—1791)
Divertimento for String Quartet in F Major, K. 138— Pause
Jean Sibelius
Piano Quintet in G minor (1890)
We wish you an enjoyable, unique concert experience with us. Welcome!
Photo: Peter Ringenberg (Saphir) / Maarit Kytöharju (Tanner)