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| Norwegian composer Edvard Grieg. Creative Commons photo courtesy: https://www.flickr.com/photos/antoinettejanssen/ |
Much like the music that has filled this past holiday season, one popular component once a part of Nordic Fest was the Grieg Concert held for many years in honor of the Norwegian composer. As one example of such a concert, the following copyright article appeared in the Decorah Newspapers just before the 1984 Nordic Fest. Used with permission.
The Grieg Concert is the musical highlight of Nordic Fest Sunday. The concert is free and is held at the Center for Faith and Life on the Luther College campus at 3 p.m. on Sunday, July 29, 1984.
Local artists will be Bill Kuhlman who will play a medley of Scandinavian songs on the Rost Memorial organ and a violin quartet which consists of Beth Getman, Orene Docken, Julia Wharton and Philip Wharton.
Kuhlman is an Associate Professor of Music and college organist at Luther, where he had taught since 1969. He is a graduate of St. Olaf College and Syracuse University and has also attended Eastman School, University of Iowa and Westminster Choir College.
He has given recitals throughout the United States and has made three major concert tours of Europe and Scandinavia. He will be performing the "Allegro Marcato" movement from J.P.E Hartmann's Sonota in g minor, three chorale prelude by Norwegian composers Kjell Mark Karlsen and Egil Hovland, Fantasi for Orgel "Dronning Dagmar" by H. Mathison-Hansen, "Af Hoiheden oprunden er" by Niels W. Gade and "Nu la Oss Takke Gud" by Egil Hovland.
Special guests from Sandnes, Norway are a singing quartet from the Ganddal Pikekor (Girls Choir) and their accompanist Mr. Geir Botnen. The entire choir is on a tour of the United States. The young ladies range in age from 19-25.
The choir began in 1960 and has received many awards during their history. They have also visited countries in Europe, the Far East and New Zealand. They wear their native costumes called "Roglandsbunad" made of pure wool, with hand embroidery and silver brooches. Their repertoire includes classical works, Scandinavian folk songs, hymns, and Christian songs. Geir Botnen is from Hardanger and got his degree from Bergen Music Conservatory. He has performed as a soloist and with the symphony orchestra and will perform some solo number a the Grieg concert.
Bjog Nygard will be singing several solo selections, all from the music of Edvard Grieg, "Ved Rondane," "Vesleymoy," and "Blabaerli" from "Haugtussa" and solveigs from "Per Gynt."
Bjorg is a soprano and has been a member of the Ganddal Girls Choir for many years. She has a music degree from Rogaland Music Conservatory. She is often a featured soloist and is teaching voice in the choir and is conducting a children's choir as well.
Among the many classic selections to be performed during the program, the Ganddal Girls Choir will be singing "Varen" by Edvard Grieg and several other folk songs.
The limited edition Nordic Fest 50th anniversary book is now available for pre-sale at 23% off its rate during Nordic Fest. Online pre-sales are available through Monday, July 4, 2016. It includes 22 chapters, great photos, a spot to record your favorite Nordic Fest memories and a DVD with movie footage from the first event in 1967. Reserve your piece of Nordic Fest history today: http://www.nordicfest.com/site/nordic-fest-50-book.html
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