Reykjavík Chamber Orchestra

The program includes the premiere of a new bass clarinet concerto by Hugi Guðmundsson, where Rúnar Óskarsson plays the solo part; the premiere of a new piece, Balaena, by Ingibjörg Ýr Skarphéðinsdóttir; and a piece by Daníel Bjarnason: “All sounds to silence come”. The Chamber Orchestra is particularly proud to be working with the Norwegian conductor Christian Eggen, artistic director of the Oslo Sinfonietta. 

Programme:

Ingibjörg Ýr Skarphéðinsdóttir: Balaena — first performance
Daniel Bjarnason: All sounds to silence come (2007)
Hugi Guðmundsson: AUX, concerto for bass clarinet and chamber ensemble — premiere

Performers:

The Reykjavík Chamber Orchestra
Conductor: Christian Eggen
Soloist, Bass Clarinet: Rúnar Óskarsson  

When Christian Eggen began his conducting career in 1981, as leader of the Ny Musikk Ensemble, he had already established a highly successful career as a pianist in Norway and abroad. In 1984 he represented Norway at the Biennale for Nordic Soloists, and his recording of Carl Nielsens piano works was received to great critical acclaim. Christian Eggen made his international breakthrough as a conductor during the World Music Days in 1990 and he rapidly became one of the Nordic countries most prominent conductors, especially favoured for his performances of contemporary music. In 1993 he became artistic director of Oslo Sinfonietta, and since 1988 he has been conductor of the Cikada ensemble. Christian Eggen was the focus of international attention in 1999 following his performance of Kurtágs Steele with the Swedish Radio Symphony Orchestra; he collaborates with leading contemporary music ensembles like musikFabrik (Cologne) and Ensemble InterContemporain (Paris), Robe de bal violetteas well as leading symphony orchestras. In 2008 he will make his debut with the Orchestra Filarmonica della Scala at the Teatro alla Scala. His long list of recordings includes such orchestras as the Royal Philharmonic in London. Eggen has worked closely with a great number of composers, among them Cage, Xenakis, Dillon, Lachenmann, Lutoslawski, Kurtág, Barrett, Tan Dun, Saariaho and Lindberg. His own output includes music for film and theatre, chamber music, orchestral works, and electroacoustic compositions and installations. He was principle featured performer at the Bergen International Festival in 1999, he was awarded the Norwegian Music Critics Prize. Eggen has also received the Spellemann prize, the Lindeman prize and the Oslo Bys Kunstnerpris in recognition of his contribution to music in the city of Oslo. In 2005 he and the Cikada group received the Nordic Council Music Prize. In 2007 His Majesty King Harald 5 appointed him Commander of The Royal Norwegian Order of St. Olav.

Rúnar Óskarsson completed solo and teaching diplomas from the Reykjavík College of Music in 1993, where his principal teacher was Sigurður I. Snorrason. He continued his studies at the Sweelinck Conservatory in Amsterdam with George Pieterson and in 1996 graduated with a diploma in clarinet performance. In addition he studied with Harry Sparnaay and completed the same degree on bass clarinet in 1998, having also studied with Walter Boeykens in Rotterdam. Since 2004 he has held a position with the Iceland Symphony Orchestra. Is also a regular member of the Icelandic Opera Orchestra, Caput ensemble and the orchestra of the National Theater in addition to be the soloclarinettist of the Reykjavík Chamber Orchestra. He has recorded many CD ́s with all these ensembles and gone abroad on tours, both as a member of the orchestra as well as a soloist, playing both bass clarinet and the clarinet.