Event info

Festival Concert: “Centenary of Icelandic Sovereignty”

The Harpa International Music Academy concludes with an orchestra concert where the Academy Symphony Orchestra performs four well known works, most importantly Beethoven´s 3rd Symphony, Eroica, one of his most celebrated works. The orchestra consists of students from the Academy's senior division and the conductor is Bjarni Frímann Bjarnason.

The goal of the Academy is to nurture the music education of new generations, nurture talent and build towards the future. Emphasis is placed on providing exceptionally talented students, winners of international competitions, opportunity to perform with orchestra in Harpa. This year Ziyu He and Ásta Dóra Finnsdóttir perform with the Academy Symphony Orchestra works by Saint-Saëns and Mendelssohn.

To celebrate the centenary of Icelandic independence and sovereignty in 2018, the ballet work for orchestra, Eldur, by Jórunn Viðar will be performed. Composed in 1950, this is one of her most popular works. Jórunn Viðar was born in 1918, the year Iceland gained its independence and sovereignty.

PROGRAM
Jórunn Viðar: Eldur / Fire
Mendelssohn: First movement from Piano Concerto No. 1
Saint-Saëns: Havanaise for Violin and Orchestra  
Beethoven: Symphony no. 3, Eroica

CONDUCTOR
Bjarni Frímann Bjarnason

SOLOISTS
Ásta Dóra Finnsdóttir piano
Ziyu He violin

The 18 year old Ziyu He from China has gained international attention in recent years as gold medalist in the Menuhin, Leopold Mozart and Eurovision Young Musicians competitions.

The 11 year old Ásta Dóra Finnsdóttir from Iceland is a prize winner of the 2017 International Chopin Competition in Poland. She studies piano at the Allegro Suzuki School in Reykjavík.

Bjarni Frímann Bjarnason has recently been appointed the musical director of the Icelandic Opera.