Nordic Cool 2013
Music
Gustaf Sjökvist’s Chamber Choir
Founded in 1994, the 33-member, Swedish Grammi–nominated choir's repertoire consists mainly of contemporary Swedish classical music. Part of Nordic Cool 2013.
Tue., Feb. 19, 2013, 6:00 PM
Free Millennium Stage Performance
Opening Concert: Royal Stockholm Philharmonic Orchestra / Sakari Oramo, conductor / Inger Dam-Jensen, soprano
Royal Stockholm Philharmonic Orchestra plays a program of Nordic works with Danish soprano Inger Dam-Jensen, "who has everything--great looks, a sparkling voice that never loses its quality, glittering allure, and intensity" (The Financial Times).
Tue., Feb. 19, 2013, 7:30 PM
Concert Hall
$10.00 - $64.00
Tango-orkesteri Unto
The key ingredients of the Finnish tango are longing and passion, and the six virtuosos salute the classic Finnish tango repertoire with their freshly nuanced and powerful renditions. Part of Nordic Cool 2013.
Wed., Feb. 20, 2013, 6:00 PM
Free Millennium Stage Performance
Gaup Sisters
The three sisters perform a program of joik, a traditional form of song of the Sami people (the indigenous people of the northern Nordic region) and is one of the oldest forms of musical expression in existence. Part of Nordic Cool 2013.
Thu., Feb. 21, 2013, 6:00 PM
Free Millennium Stage Performance
Midaircondo featuring Michala Østergaard-Nielsen
Midaircondo, joined here by percussionist Michala Østergaard-Nielsen, explores avant-garde sound art, electronica, jazz and melancholic pop, and is known for its visual and improvised concerts.
Thu., Feb. 21, 2013
Terrace Gallery
$25.00
Ibrahim Electric
The eclectic, jazz-based trio from Copenhagen, Denmark creates experimental music that draws from a wide variety of genres, including jazz, pop, afro, and funk. Part of Nordic Cool 2013.
Fri., Feb. 22, 2013, 6:00 PM
Free Millennium Stage Performance
Olli Hirvonen Quartet
Finnish guitarist Olli Hirvonen's quartet has been the main outlet of his creative vision since 2008.
Fri., Feb. 22, 2013
Terrace Gallery
$25.00
Kroumata
With more than 30 years of unparalleled performances, the ensemble has brought percussion from the back row of the orchestra to center stage through a strong commitment to contemporary percussion music. Part of Nordic Cool 2013.
Sat., Feb. 23, 2013, 6:00 PM
Free Millennium Stage Performance
Terje Isungset's Icemusic
One of Norway's most innovative and distinctive percussionists, Terje Isungset collects material from nature and creates new instruments. For Icemusic, he carves instruments out of pure ice, including from the 600-year-old Jostedal glacier.
Sat., Feb. 23, 2013
Terrace Gallery
$25.00
Iceland Airwaves: FM Belfast, Retro Stefson, and Sóley
One of the world’s premier annual showcases for new music, Iceland Airwaves presents three bands--electropop group FM Belfast, pop septet Retro Stefson, and delicate electronic pop songstress Sóley. Supported by Icelandair, Iceland Naturally, and the Embassy of Iceland in Washington, D.C. Part of Nordic Cool 2013.
Sun., Feb. 24, 2013, 6:00 PM
Free Millennium Stage Performance
Vikingur Ólafsson, piano
Hailed by the London Times as a "rising star of the piano," Icelandic pianist and graduate of the Juilliard School Víkingur Ólafsson has collaborated with musicians ranging from Björk to Martin Fröst.
Mon., Feb. 25, 2013, 7:30 PM
Terrace Theater
$29.00
Signmark
Creator of the world’s first sign language hip hop DVD, Finland's Signmark uses strong bass beats with low frequencies to adapt to rap and hip hop rhythms along with vocalist Brandon Bauer. In cooperation with VSA. Part of Nordic Cool 2013.
Tue., Feb. 26, 2013, 6:00 PM
Free Millennium Stage Performance
Eivør
While her roots are in Faroese ballads, the singer/songwriter has a wide range of interests in many kinds of music, from rock, jazz, folk, pop, to European classical music. Part of Nordic Cool 2013.
Wed., Feb. 27, 2013, 6:00 PM
Free Millennium Stage Performance
Skaran
The folk trio plays Swedish traditional tunes along with its own compositions bursting with attitude and joy. Part of Nordic Cool 2013.
Thu., Feb. 28, 2013, 6:00 PM
Free Millennium Stage Performance
National Symphony Orchestra: Christoph Eschenbach, conductor / Pekka Kuusisto, violin - Sibelius's Symphony No. 7
Christoph Eschenbach conducts Finnish violinist Pekka Kuusisto, whom The Guardian says "may be the best thing to happen to classical music in years." Hear him play Lindberg's Violin Concerto on a program with works by Sibelius and Saariaho.
Feb. 28 - Mar. 2, 2013
Concert Hall
$10.00 - $85.00
Gjermund Larsen Trio
Praised for his technical and emotional musicality, award-winning Norwegian violinist/fiddler and composer Gjermund Larsen performs with Andreas Utnem (organ & piano) and Sondre Meisfjord (double bass).
Thu., Feb. 28, 2013
Terrace Gallery
$25.00
Unni Løvlid
The highly respected Norwegian folk singer-songwriter was voted 2006 “Traditional Musician of the Year” in Norway. She performs with double bassist Håkon Thelin and Ingar Hunskaar on electronics. Part of Nordic Cool 2013.
Fri., Mar. 1, 2013, 6:00 PM
Free Millennium Stage Performance
Yggdrasil
Based in the Faroe Islands, Yggdrasil was founded by the Danish composer and pianist Kristian Blak, a 2011 nominee of the Nordic Council Music Prize. Its works draw ideas from ethnic material and improvisation ranges from free to classical style.
Fri., Mar. 1, 2013
Terrace Gallery
$25.00
The Hemsing Sisters
Norwegian violinists Ragnhild & Eldbjørg Hemsing have been playing together since the ages of seven and five, when they first played for the Norwegian Royal Family at the National Theatre in Oslo.
Sat., Mar. 2, 2013
Terrace Gallery
$25.00
Tord Gustavsen Ensemble
Tord Gustavsen Ensemble, led by the pianist, has been a solid fixture on the Norwegian jazz scene for many years. The Guardian describes his sound as "meditative but subtly gospel-tinged."
Sun., Mar. 3, 2013, 7:30 PM
Terrace Theater
$29.00
Rasmus Lyberth / Greta Sundström
A Greenlander, singer/songwriter Lyberth has captivated Danish and Greenlandic audiences since the 1970s and is increasingly popular with international audiences. An Åland Islander, accordion virtuoso Sundström is master of a vast repertoire ranging from classical pieces to folk music and dance-friendly pop tunes. Part of Nordic Cool 2013.
Mon., Mar. 4, 2013, 6:00 PM
Free Millennium Stage Performance
Fortas Chamber Music Concert: Anne Sofie von Otter, mezzo-soprano, in recital
As part of the Kennedy Center's Nordic Cool 2013 festival, Grammy-nominated Swedish mezzo-soprano Anne Sofie von Otter performs in recital with pianist Bengt Forsberg, also from Sweden.
Mon., Mar. 4, 2013, 7:30 PM
Terrace Theater
$45.00
Iceland Symphony Orchestra: Ilan Volkov, conductor
Led by music director Ilan Volkov, Iceland Symphony Orchestra plays a work by Sibelius as well as the U.S. premiere of two works by Icelandic composers and is joined by pianist Garrick Ohlsson for Grieg's Piano Concerto.
Mon., Mar. 4, 2013, 7:30 PM
Concert Hall
$10.00 - $64.00
Duo Harpverk
From Iceland, harpist Katie Buckley and percussionist Frank Aarnink came together in 2007 with the intention to commission and perform music from young composers. To date, they have commissioned more than 60 pieces from composers in Iceland and all over the world. Part of Nordic Cool 2013.
Tue., Mar. 5, 2013, 6:00 PM
Free Millennium Stage Performance
Sousou and Maher Cissoko
The Swedish/Senegalese couple, winners of the “Best Newcomer” prize at the 2010 Swedish Folk and World Music Gala and “Band of the Year” in 2011, combines a variety of styles, influences, and techniques in its music. Part of Nordic Cool 2013.
Wed., Mar. 6, 2013, 6:00 PM
Free Millennium Stage Performance
Nanook
One of the best-known bands in Greenland, the group tours internationally and is quickly gathering new fans despite the fact that their songs are sung entirely in Greenlandic. Their songs have been featured in the Discovery Channel’s series Flying Wild Alaska. Part of Nordic Cool 2013.
Thu., Mar. 7, 2013, 6:00 PM
Free Millennium Stage Performance
National Symphony Orchestra: Christoph Eschenbach, conductor / Music of Mahler, Schubert & Mozart
Experience a program of vocal wonder with a selection of Schubert Lieder and Mozart's Requiem. Christoph Eschenbach conducts Swedish mezzo-soprano Anne Sofie von Otter, guest vocalists, and the University of Maryland Concert Choir.
Mar. 7 - 9, 2013
Concert Hall
$10.00 - $85.00
Caroline Henderson
Danish vocalist Caroline Henderson's joie de vivre, passion, and uncompromising attitude were always the driving forces behind her career, making her a true diva of jazz.
Thu., Mar. 7, 2013
Terrace Gallery
$25.00
Danish National Girls’ Choir
Since its founding in 1938, the choir combines old song traditions with new music, always working to develop the strong Danish choir tradition. Part of Nordic Cool 2013.
Fri., Mar. 8, 2013, 6:00 PM
Free Millennium Stage Performance
Sunna Gunnlaugs Trio
Proclaimed an "impressive newcomer" by the Village Voice, Icelandic pianist Sunna Gunnlaugs and her Trio bridge the Brooklyn/Reykjavik jazz divide by combining the elegance of the European approach with a fiery New York drive.
Fri., Mar. 8, 2013
Terrace Gallery
$25.00
Wimme
From Finland, the Sami joik singer’s music has been described as "shamanistic chant meets modern soundscapes." Joik has certain elements in common with Native American music, most importantly a reverence for the earth and the elements. Part of Nordic Cool 2013.
Sat., Mar. 9, 2013, 6:00 PM
Free Millennium Stage Performance
Jacob Anderskov's Agnostic Revelations
Danish pianist, composer, and bandleader Jacob Anderskov has performed all over the world and previously wowed D.C. audiences with his "edgy, evocative compositions" (JazzTimes).
Sat., Mar. 9, 2013
Terrace Gallery
$25.00
Fortas Chamber Music Concert: Juho Pohjonen, piano
One of the brightest young instrumental talents to emerge from Finland today, pianist Juho Pohjonen plays works by Grieg, Nielsen, and Mozart in his Fortas debut as part of the Nordic Cool 2013 festival.
Tue., Mar. 12, 2013, 7:30 PM
Terrace Theater
$28.00
Fortas Chamber Music Concert: Trio con Brio Copenhagen
Denmark's Trio con Brio Copenhagen bring a program of Ravel's luminous Trio and Mendelssohn's brooding and passionate C minor Trio, as well as Bent Sørensen's Phantasmagoria and Per Nørgård's new work, After the Dream.
Wed., Mar. 13, 2013, 7:30 PM
Terrace Theater
$28.00
The Kennedy Center Chamber Players play Nielsen, Prokofiev & Schubert
The Kennedy Center Chamber Players play Nielsen's Serenata in vano, plus Prokofiev's Quintet and more.
Sun., Mar. 17, 2013, 7:30 PM
Terrace Theater
$35.00
Nordic Cool 2013 is presented in cooperation with
and Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, and Sweden.
Presenting Underwriter
HRH Foundation
Festival Co-Chairs
The Honorable Bonnie McElveen-Hunter, Marilyn Carlson Nelson, and Barbro Osher
Major support is provided by the Honorable Bonnie McElveen-Hunter, Mrs. Marilyn Carlson Nelson
and Dr. Glen Nelson, the Barbro Osher Pro Suecia Foundation, David M. Rubenstein,
the State Plaza Hotel,
and the Kennedy Center International Committee on the Arts.
