Kimmel Center Master Musicians Series
January 9, 2006
Leif Ove Andsnes
Mozart Festival, A 250th Birthday Celebration
Highly-praised pianist and conductor, Leif Ove Andsnes and the Norwegian Chamber Orchestra with artistic director Terje Tonnesen make their Kimmel Center Verizon Hall debut on Tuesday, January 17th at 8 pm. To begin the Kimmel Center Presents’ Series celebration of Mozart’s birthday, Andsnes and the Norwegian Chamber Orchestra perform Mozart’s Piano Concerto Nos. 14 and 20, Eine Kleine Nachtmusik, and an arrangement of Beethoven’s String Quartet No. 16. The pair has been hailed as nothing short of extraordinary, winning the Gramophone Concerto Award for 2000.
Tickets for Leif Ove Andsnes and The Norwegian Chamber Orchestra are priced at $69, $60, $52 and $45. Tickets can be purchased by calling 215-893-1999, online Kimmel Center box office, open daily from 10am to 6pm and later on performance evenings (additional fees may apply). For group sales call 215-893-5883.
Leif Ove Andsnes has made a name for himself as an acclaimed piano soloist, recording artist and enthusiast of both chamber and piano music. A self-described shy youngster, the Norwegian native has honed his musical gifts and developed himself as a virtuoso among his peers. In 2004, he gained recognition as the youngest player ever to receive the “Perspectives” series at Carnegie Hall. The coveted series featured Andsnes performing seven times in the spread of one season. While touring Scandinavian cities and the globe alike, Andsnes continues to dazzle audiences while maintaining humble and sincere to his work. Known as having impeccable dexterity and a down to earth personality of equal measure, The New York Times referred to his most recent performances as “exquisite, vibrant, and technically nimble.”
The Norwegian Chamber Orchestra has been a permanent fixture since 1977, when they made their debut under the musical vision of Terje Tonnesen, who still remains the orchestra’s artistic director. Soon after the NCO’s first recording it was in high demand, extensively touring Western Europe and the US. With a wide range of pieces in its repertoire, including Rameau and Xenakis, the NCO has been joined by soloists such as Angela Hewitt, Maurice Andre, Andrew Manze, Radu Lupu, Joshua Bell, and Fabio Biondi. Over twenty-five years after its formation, it has done recordings for various labels and shows no signs of slowing down. In reference to the orchestra’s say “what truly marked their work was the sense of excitement, which leapt off the stage.”
Sponsors of the 2005/2006 Kimmel Center Presents season include Mellon Financial Corporation, University of Pennsylvania Health System, Sovereign Bank, The American Express Company, and Verizon Foundation. Special Student Matinees at the Kimmel Center are generously supported by Merck & Co., Inc. American Airlines is the Official Airline of Kimmel Center Presents. Toyota is the Official Vehicle of Kimmel Center Presents Jazz and World Pop programming. In-kind support is generously provided by Deloitte and Southern Wine and Spirit. NBC-10 is a Media Partner for Kimmel Center Presents.
KIMMEL CENTER PRESENTS
Master Musicians Piano Series
Tuesday, January 17, 2006 | 8 pm
Verizon Hall
Leif Ove Andsnes, piano conductor
The Norwegian Chamber Orchestra
Terje Tonnesen, artistic director
Mozart: Piano Concerto No. 14
Beethoven: String Quartet No. 16
Mozart: Eine Kleine Nachtmusik
Mozart: Piano Concerto No. 20
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