Released on: April 4, 2008, 8:58 am

Press Release Author: Amy Kench/New England String Ensemble

Industry: Entertainment

Press Release Summary: Icelandic violinist, Judith Ingolfsson and 4-Time Olympic
gold medallist, Johann Olav Koss join New England String Ensemble for the 14th
Season Finale "Nordic Landscape" concerts


Press Release Body: Icelandic violinist, Judith Ingolfsson and 4-Time Olympic gold
medallist in speed skating, Johann Olav Koss, will join Music Director Federico
Cortese and New England String Ensemble for a season finale program, "Nordic
Landscape" Saturday, April 12th at 7:30pm in Cochran Chapel at Phillips Academy in
Andover and Sunday, April 13th at 3:00pm in NEC's Jordan Hall in Boston. Audience
members will have the opportunity to meet Judith Ingolfsson, and Johann Koss
45-minutes prior to each concert at a "Conversation with Cortese" led by Maestro
Cortese and at the post-concert Nordic themed receptions. These events are free to
ticket holders.

The concert will take listeners on a journey to each of the five Nordic countries.
The program will begin with featured artist Judith Ingolfsson performing Finnish
great Jean Sibelius' "Humoresques No. 3 & 4", next the orchestra will venture to the
archipelago of Sweden with Dag Wirén's "Serenade for Strings". Ms. Ingolfsson
rounds out the first half with Icelandic composer Haflidi Hallgrimsson's "Poemi".
This piece is based on three allegorical paintings by Marc Chagall, where the Ms.
Ingolfsson will be at the center of the 'musical stage' throughout, with the
orchestra providing constantly changing 'scenery'. The music progresses from
tranquility to dramatic ending in a fast and tense \"Combat\". The second half begins
with "Little Suite" by Danish cultural icon, Carl Nielsen. Maestro Cortese closes
the concert on Norway's fjord carved coastline with Grieg's "Holberg Suite".

Judith Ingolfsson has established herself worldwide as an artist of uncompromising
musical maturity, extraordinary technical command and charismatic performance style.
Ms. Ingolfsson is excited to be part of a Nordic themed program saying, "It is
quite special to me to champion the music of an Icelandic composer given my roots. I
was born in Iceland to an Icelandic father and a Swiss mother. Even though my family
moved to the USA in 1980, I retain my Icelandic citizenship to this day." Her
musical roots began with violin studies there at age 3, performing on Icelandic
television at age 5 and with the Icelandic Symphony as soloist at age 8. She has
since performed on some of the world's most notable stages including the Kimmel
Center in Philadelphia, Konzerthaus Berlin, Tokyo Opera City, the Mann concert
Auditorium in Tel Aviv and numerous engagements at Carnegie Hall in New York and the
Kennedy Center in Washington D.C. In addition to international engagements, Judith
Ingolfsson has recently released a recording of the Tchaikovsky Violin Concerto with
the Budapest Philharmonic, led by Rico SaccaniJudith Ingolfsson and she has just
been appointed professor at one of the top conservatories in Germany; The Staatliche
Hochschule für Musik und Darstellende Kunst Stuttgart.

The "Nordic Landscape" Honorary Chairman, Johann Koss, is one of the greatest winter
athletes of all time. Upon being asked to be the honorary chairman Johann replied
"To be able to help with the appreciation of Norwegian music and that of the other
Scandinavian countries in Boston will be my pleasure." Over the course of his speed
skating career Koss broke a total of 11 world records, won three World All-Round
Championships, numerous World Cups and National championships and most memorably won
three gold medals at the 1994 Lillehammer Games in the 1500, 5000, and 10,000 meter
events and was named Sports Illustrated magazine\'s Sportsman of the Year. After his
speed skating career, Koss trained as a physician. He became a UNICEF ambassador and
a member of the International Olympic Committee (until 2002). Johann's achievements
on the ice have since been eclipsed by his efforts as President and CEO of "Right To
Play", an athlete-driven international humanitarian organization that uses sport and
play as a tool for the development of children and youth in the most disadvantaged
areas of the world.

Boston's five Nordic Consuls have offered to be Honorary Patrons for this event;
Consulate of Denmark, Boston - Honorary Consul Jacob Friis, Honorary Consulate
General of Finland, Boston - Honorary Consul General Leonard Kopelman, Consulate of
Iceland, Boston - Honorary Consul Elisha F. Lee, Royal Norwegian Consulate, Boston -
Honorary Consul Terje Korsnes, Consulate of Sweden, Boston - Honorary Consul Dr.
Allen Counter and Vice Consul, Margareta (Ginga) Sewerin-Olsson. Along with Maestro
Cortese, Johann Koss, Judith Ingolfsson and the NESE players, the consuls will
attend the Nordic Themed reception following the concert in Boston at Northeastern
University\'s Varsity Club, across the street from Jordan Hall.

Cost: $45, $35, $25 Student discount $10 off. To order call 781-224-1117 or visit
www.newenglandstringensemble.org

Web Site: http://www.newenglandstringensemble.org

Contact Details: PO Box 2012
Wakefield, MA 01880
781-224-1117
akench@newenglandstringensemble.org