Event info

Event info

Performers:
Ásta Dóra Finnsdóttir piano
Grímur Helgason clarinet
Guðrún Dalía Salómonsdóttir piano
Þórarinn Már Baldursson viola

Program:
Robert Schumann: Märchenerzählungen, Op. 132
W. A. Mozart: Kegelstatt Trio, KV498
Clara Schumann: Drei Romanzen, Op. 21
Rachmaninoff: Corelli Variations, Op. 42

Clara Schumann wrote in her diary on October 11, 1853: “Today, Robert finished four movements for clarinet, viola and piano and is supremely happy with it. He thinks the instrument combination will appear highly romantic.” She is referring to Märchenerzählungen Op. 132, which Robert composed mere months before separating from Clara due to his illness. The romantic soul and mind of the composer is palpable, distinctly in the slow movement. There are only a few pieces written for this set of instruments. Mozart’s Kegelstatt Trio KV498 seems to have been the very first. It is full of exuberance and sparkle, and will put a beautiful end to the first half of the recital.  After intermission, pianist Ásta Dóra Finnsdóttir will perform three ravishing romances by Clara Schumann. No one can deny the strength and resilience of Clara, she was seemingly limitless. She composed Drei Romanzen Op. 21 in a time of great difficulties, and it remained one of her last compositions. Robert had become gravely ill and the couple had been separated for a long time. Clara was alone and scared, but she made this beautiful piece. It almost feels like a symbol of how remarkably perpetual life is. Corelli Variations, Op. 42 by Rachmaninoff were also composed toward the end of the artist’s career. It is the last piece he wrote for solo piano. Here, Rachmaninoff takes the listener on an incredible journey through 20 variations on the folia, a melody which dates from the late 15th century.

Ásta Dóra Finnsdóttir (14 year old) is a piano student of Marina Pliassova at the Barratt Due Institute of Music in Norway, and Peter Máté at Reykjavik College of Music, Iceland. Ásta Dóra has participated and won numerous prizes for her playing in multiple international competitions. She has performed as soloist with Iceland Symphony Orchestra, Athens Camerata in Greece, the Barratt Due Orchestra in Norway and the Academic Symphony Orchestra of the Zaporizhzhya Regional Philharmonic in Ukraine. She has performed at music festivals in Finland, Denmark, Greece, Belgium, Norway and Iceland. Ásta Dóra has received masterclasses with professors such as N. Lugansky and M.A. Hamelin. She enjoys improvisation, composition, literature, animation and drawing.

Grímur Helgason clarinetist studied with Sigurður I. Snorrason at Reykjavík Music College. He graduated from Iceland University of the Arts in 2007 where he studied with Einar Jóhannesson. In 2011, Grímur finished his M.Mus at Conservatorium van Amsterdam, studying with Hans Colbers. Grímur has been an active performer in Iceland in recent years as a chamber musician, orchestra member, and contemporary music performer. Among chamber groups and orchestras he has been a part of are Icelandic Symphony Orchestra where he is tenured since 2016, Caput, Iceland Opera Orchestra, Symphony of the North, Stirni Ensemble, Kúbus and Kammersveit Reykjavíkur. Grímur has also collaborated with many individual composers and musicians.

Guðrún Dalía Salómonsdóttir pianist was born in Reykjavik. She studied at the Reykjavik College of Music and The State University of Music and Performing Arts Stuttgart where she graduated in 2007. She continued her studies in Paris. Amongst her teachers were Guðríður St. Sigurðardóttir, Wan Ing Ong and Thérèse Dussaut. She performs regularly as soloist, chamber musician and often accompanies singers. In 2006 Guðrún won 1. price in the Icelandic EPTA-competition. She has released two CD’s; in 2009 together with Helga Rós Indriðadóttir, soprano, Icelandic composer’s Jórunn Viðar’s complete songs and in 2014 in collaboration with KÚBUS chamber group songs by Karl Ottó Runólfsson. Guðrún works as accompanist and piano teacher at Garðabær Music School.

Violist Þórarinn Már Baldursson was born in Húsavík and grew up in Aðaldalur, Northern Iceland. He studied at the Reykjavík College of Music with Gudmundur Kristmundsson and Helga Þórarinsdóttir and in Stuttgart with Prof. Hermann Voss. Þórarinn has been a member of the Iceland Symphony Orchestra since 2002. He performs frequently with various chamber groups. Þórarinn illustrates childrens’ books, many of which have been translated into several languages and received awards. Amongst these are the books about the music loving mouse Maximus Musicus.

Seigla festival is made by the Icelandic Schumann Society and is sponsored by Ýlir tónlistarsjóður, Styrktarsjóður SUT og Ruthar Hermanns, Tónlistarsjóður Rannís, Barnamenningarsjóður and Menningarsjóður FÍH.

Students, seniors and members of the Icelandic Schumann Society can get a discounted price at 3000 kr in Harpa's Box Office

Further information www.seiglafestival.com