Nordic romanticism: Andrée and Grieg
Concert in the Ambrosia Tønnesen exhibition
Bergen Pianotrio invites you on a musical journey into the era of Ambrosia Tønnesen. The program features works by two pivotal Scandinavian composers: the groundbreaking Elfrida Andrée and Norway's own Edvard Grieg.
About the music
Swedish composer Elfrida Andrée (1841–1929) was a trailblazer in many ways. She wrote operas, symphonies, and chamber music and made history as Europe's first female cathedral organist—and Sweden's first female telegraph operator! Her Piano Trio No. 2 in G minor (1883) is a gem of melodic, dramatic, and captivating music. While rooted in Continental Romanticism, the piece also showcases Andrée’s distinctive and powerful artistic voice.
Edvard Grieg (1843–1907) began working on a piano trio in 1878 but never completed it. Only one movement, Andante con moto, was written, and it remained hidden in his desk drawer for the rest of his life. It was Grieg’s close friend, the Dutch composer Julius Röntgen, who discovered the piece after Grieg’s death. Even as a fragment, the work stands as a beautiful and cohesive composition.
About the artists
Bergen Pianotrio has quickly established itself as an exciting and innovative presence in Norwegian musical life. Founded in the autumn of 2021 by Edel Bolstad (piano), Åshild Brunvoll (cello), and Sunniva Monstad (violin), the trio debuted officially in spring 2022 with a concert in the Winter Garden at Sentralen in Oslo as part of its lunchtime concert series.
In autumn 2024, the trio embarked on an extensive tour of Western Norway, performing at venues such as Kulturhuset i Bergen, Gloppen Musikkfest, and the Bøkelyden Festival. Their next major project is a commissioned work by composer Therese Birkelund Ulvo, set to premiere in May 2025. The piece draws inspiration from Western Norway’s folk music traditions, with the violin occasionally replaced by the Hardanger fiddle.
With a strong focus on quality and innovation, Bergen Pianotrio is steadily becoming a central part of the musical landscape in Bergen and the surrounding region.
Location: Ambrosia Tønnesen Exhibition, Permanenten
Duration: 45 minutes
Price: Included in the regular admission ticket.
