Eldbjørg Hemsing – The star who came in from the cold

Her village had just 500 inhabitants. She learned to play the violin at the age of five. Today, Eldbjørg Hemsing is at home on the world's great stages. Including in the Andermatt Concert Hall, where she will be playing at the SWISS ALPS CLASSICS on May 3.

Where it says north, there is usually quality inside. This is clear when it comes to crime novels. Henning Mankell and Stieg Larsson are world-famous. To this day, many authors follow in their footsteps, also writing bestsellers by the meter. Less well known: The North has just as much to offer in classical music. Of course, everyone knows EDVARD GRIEG. At the concert on Friday, May 3, he will be represented with a sonata and the sensual spring song „Våren".

But there is more to discover. For example JOHAN SVENDSEN, a contemporary of Grieg. His open, light „Romance" is one of the most beautiful things you can play on the violin. Depth and catchy tunes combined in one piece. Or JOHAN HALVORSEN, who married Grieg's niece: his pieces of music are late-romantic boxes of wonders. Tone sequences and rhythms that also draw heavily on folk music.

Next Friday, May 3 the Swiss Alps Classics will bring this special program to the Andermatt Concert Hall. Classical soloists ELDBJØRG HEMSING on the violin and HÅVARD GIMSE (piano) will perform together the far north with the string ensemble of the LUCERNE SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA. All ticket information and booking can be found at Tickets Swiss Alps Classics.

A vastness and loneliness, but also a joie de vivre and diversity that shaped the violinist Eldbjørg Hemsing's life.

Ms. Hemsing, you grew up in Valdres, Norway. A special place? Also in terms of music?
It was a very peaceful, happy time. As a child, I lived surrounded by nature, snow and yes, music. Folk music is an important element in Valdres. As in many valleys in Norway, we have rhythmic patterns and melodies that are not played anywhere else. As a small child, I learned to play both the Hardanger fiddle and the violin.

The Hardanger fiddle in particular is a very unusual instrument. Did it influence your way of making music?
Absolutely. The history of the instrument goes back to 1600 and you can only find it in Norway. The special thing about it is that you can tune its eight or nine strings in very different ways. There are 27 possibilities in total. The musician can use them to specifically express his or her personal mood, the time of day or simply the soul of the piece. This freedom and playfulness are also important to me in classical music. The Hardanger fiddle taught me to look for the colors and to remain flexible in the interpretation.

Nature is very important to you. How does this manifest itself musically?
I can best express this with a wonderful quote from Béla Bartók: "The notes are like the leaves of a tree. Each one has its own shape and mood". Nature plays a role everywhere. In our feelings, in mathematics, but also in music.

You will be playing "Nordic Sounds" at the Swiss Alps Classics in Andermatt. What can we expect?
We play a wide range of Nordic compositions. The Nordic sound is incredibly diverse. We want to show its rich history in the concert. Together with the members of the Lucerne Symphony Orchestra and the pianist Håvard Gimse, we will create a very special evening!

The full interview with Eldbjørg Hemsing will be available today, Wednesday, May 1, at www.classicpoint.net.

The Chedi Andermatt at the center of the Swiss Alps Classics

Friends of the Swiss Alps Classics have been meeting up with world-class artists at The Chedi Andermatt since 2017. For the first time, a Nordic Sound Dinner with DJ will take place in the Cotton Club on Friday. The crowning finale of the festival is the joint Gala Dinner on Saturday at the luxury hotel. The private setting of the festival creates a very special atmosphere. General Manager Jörg Arnold explains this as follows: „We want to create unforgettable moments for our guests. The Swiss Alps Classics concert series is taking place for the 8th time this year and once again impresses with a star-studded line-up. As the new General Manager of the hotel, but also as a native of Uri, I am delighted to welcome such a great program here in Andermatt."

You can find the various offers here: Dinner tickets - Swiss Alps Classics and accomodation.

Andermatt Swiss Alps AG – Festival is a standard advantage

Andermatt Swiss Alps AG, whose architectural highlights include the Andermatt Concert Hall, has been a loyal sponsor from the very beginning. Raphael Krucker, CEO of Andermatt Swiss Alps AG, emphasizes: „Swiss Alps Classics has been offering a high-quality concert programme for years. We greatly appreciate this long-term partnership. It is important for our destination."