Following the second Rosendal Festival, which was dedicated to an exploration of Mozart’s chamber music, the reviews are unanimous in their praise. “Mozart in paradise” was the headline in Spain’s El Pais newspaper which went on to comment “Leif Ove Andsnes and a group of extraordinary musicians immersed themselves in the genius of the composer in a small but big festival in the wilds of Norway.”
With more and more international guests queing up to make the journey to the Hardanger Fjord, Russia’s Da Capo Magazine wrote “the sea voyage was a part of the romantic drama of this young festival. The boat was carried along the mighty fjords to the valley of Rosendal, where time turns into eternity … and the flawless performances of the musicians made for precious transient moments. “
Joining Leif Ove Andsnes on stage this summer were guest artists Kristian Bezuidenhout (fortepiano) and Francesco Piemontesi (piano), Anne Sofie von Otter (mezzo-soprano) and Martin Fröst (clarinet), Mizuho Yoshii (oboe), Audun Halvorsen (bassoon), José Vicente Castelló (French horn), as well Leif Ove’s long time chamber music partners, Tabea Zimmermann (viola) and siblings Christian and Tanja Tetzlaff (violin and cello) who also performed with quartet partners Elisabeth Kufferath (violin) and Hanna Weinmeister (viola). As with the first Rosendal Festival, 2017 introduced upcoming young Norwegian artists. This year the Opus 13 String Quartet – Sonoko Miriam Welde, Edvard Erdal (violins) Michael Grolid(viola) and Frida Tharaldsen Skaftun.
“Many of the Europe’s summer festivals are based on famous stars stopping by to play anything from their fixed repertoire before moving on again” wrote Norway’s Bergens Tidende. “Not so in Rosendal. Here the audience is drawn in by the musicians who have gathered together to focus on a collective theme.” Morgenbladet acknowledged that “Intelligent insight and outstanding musicians allows classical music to shine in Rosendal” whilst Klassisk Magazine’s experience echoed what for many was a personal musical pilgrimage: “… I spent a long time in younger years to get on speaking terms with Mozart. After my long weekend in Rosendal, we have finally become best friends.”
The third Rosendal Festival will take place from 9 – 12 August 2018 and we look forward to welcoming old and new friends.