Summer Concert OaFP @Guarda

PROGRAMME

Edvard Grieg (1843–1907)
Piano Concerto in A minor, op. 16

I. Allegro molto moderato
II. Adagio
III. Allegro moderato molto e marcato

Claude Debussy (1862-1918)
La Mer, L. 109

Orquestra Académica Filarmónica Portuguesa

Kjell Seim maestro
Yanjun Chen piano

Summer Concerts July 25th and 26th, 2023

The Orquestra Académica Filarmónica Portuguesa, under the baton of maestro Kjell Seim, has the honor of presenting a closing program of the Project “Sustainable Orchestras in Europe,” within the scope of the EEA Grants project.

This show will bring to the audience Edvard Grieg’s “Piano Concerto in A Minor, Op. 16”, one of the most popular and iconic works in the romantic repertoire. The concert will be performed by young pianist Yanjun Chen, winner of the 24th edition of the Santa Cecília International Competition. Yanjun, of Chinese origin, currently resides in Germany. In her promising career, she has won several international awards, including the “Yamaha Asia Conservatory Scholarship Competition”, the “Zhuhai International Mozart Competition for Young Musicians” and the “1st American Classical Music Competition”.

After the intermission, the Academic Orchestra will take us into the wonderful sound universe of Claude Debussy, with his masterpiece “La Mer”. Composed in three movements (“From Dawn to Noon at Sea”, “Wave Games” and “Dialogue of Wind and Sea”), “La Mer” portrays in an impressionistic way the nuances, movements and grandeur of the sea . Debussy’s music envelops us in sonic colors and evocative textures, transporting us to a stunning maritime setting.

This concert will be conducted by Kjell Seim, a renowned Norwegian conductor with an extensive career leading orchestras in Norway, as well as being a guest conductor in several countries such as Germany, Belgium, Italy, Serbia, Georgia, South Africa and Taiwan. Since the beginning of 1997, he has held the position of artistic director of the Bergen Philharmonic Youth Orchestra in Norway.

This concert is made possible thanks to the “Sustainable Orchestras in Europe” project, supported by EEA Grants, in a cultural partnership between the Orquestra Académica Filarmónica Portuguesa and the Bergen Philharmonic Youth Orchestra. During the month of July, the talented young people of the Bergen Philharmonic Youth Orchestra and its director, Kjell Seim, will be in the city of Guarda for a second artistic residency on Portuguese soil. The project will culminate with presentations in the cities of Guarda and Lisbon.

The EEA Grants represent a multi-year Financial Mechanism, through which Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway work together to reduce social and economic disparities in Europe, strengthening bilateral relations with beneficiary States, including Portugal. This concert is a celebration of music, culture and international collaboration that is sure to delight audiences. Do not miss this unique opportunity!