Sunday, August 24 – 14.00
Stavanger Konserthus, Fartein Valen Hall
duration 1 hour
The organ is not only at the very root of European music but has also helped shape our shared history. It was only natural for Reconciliation Festival to honor the “king of instruments” in its program. This concert is exceptional as it brings together two of today’s most important composers and organists: Nils Henrik Asheim, at home in Stavanger Konserthus, and his peer Thierry Escaich, organist of Notre-Dame Cathedral, Paris. Preceding the Norwegian Organ Festival, this rare event promises an unforgettable musical experience. For this historic concert, both artists have been given complete carte blanche.
Composer, organist and improviser Thierry Escaich is a unique figure in contemporary music and one of the most important French composers of his generation. The three elements of Escaich’s artistry are inseparable, allowing him to express himself as a virtuosic performer, interpreter and creator at the highest level. In 2024, Escaich was appointed titular organist of Notre-Dame Cathedral, Paris. Escaich composes works in many genres and forms, including opera, symphonic and chamber music. His catalogue numbers over 100 works which, with their lyrical, rich harmonies and rhythmic energy, have attracted a wide audience. Drawing from the French line of composition of Ravel, Messiaen and Dutilleux, and imbued with references from contemporary, jazz, popular and spiritual music, the distinctive sound-world of Escaich’s music is anchored by an obsessive rhythmic drive and compelling architecture. Escaich’s works are performed by leading orchestras in Europe and North America and by musicians such as Lisa Batiashvili, François Leleux, Andris Nelsons, Alain Altinoglu, Louis Langrée, Semyon Bychkov, Paavo Järvi, Alan Gilbert, Emmanuelle Bertrand and Paul Meyer.
credit photo @Marie Rolland
Nils Henrik Asheim, composer, organist, pianist and curator, is known for his personal style of improvisation and for including the organ in multiple artistic combinations. He is currently resident organist of Stavanger concert hall. His compositions include orchestral, chamber music as well as choral works, in addition to a number of projects that explore spaces, situations and collaborations in innovative ways. As an organist, Asheim is widely acclaimed for his personal style of improvisation. With influences from jazz, avant-garde, electronic music, folk music, and noise art, he takes the organ to sonic realms not commonly associated with the instrument. Deeply engaged in Stavanger’s cultural scene since the 1990s, Asheim has led major institutions like the Stavanger Symphony Orchestra’s program committee, where he also led various projects and served as a member of the board. He was also head of NyMusikk Stavanger where he presented more than 200 concerts over 20 years. From 2001 to 2011 he was involved as founding father, board leader and project developer for Tou Scene, a cultural factory in an abandoned brewery complex in the eastern part of Stavanger, now one of Norway’s largest independent cultural institutions. Amongs its numerous awards, he received Årets verk 2023, (Work of the Year), Lindeman Prize 2011, Spellemannprisen 2010 as contemporary composer of the year and was appointed Chevalier de l’ordre des arts et des lettres (Knight of the order of art and literature) 2023 by the French Republic, and Knight of the 1st Class of the Order of St. Olav 2018.
credit photo @Line Owren Fotografi 2020