Released on: March 25, 2008, 1:27 pm

Press Release Author: Amy Kench/New England String Ensemble

Industry: Entertainment

Press Release Summary: 4-Time Olympic gold medalist, Johann Olav Koss will join New
England String Ensemble as
Honorary Chairman for the 14th Season Finale "Nordic Landscape" concerts


Press Release Body: New England String Ensemble and Music Director, Federico Cortese
are happy to announce that 4-Time Olympic gold medalist in speed skating, Johann
Olav Koss, will join the orchestra as Honorary Chairman for the 14th Season Finale
concerts. The "Nordic Landscape" concerts take place 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.

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".
Beginning the second half is "Little Suite" by Danish cultural icon, Carl Nielsen,
Maestro Cortese closes the concert on Norway's fjord carved coastline with Grieg's
"Holberg Suite".

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 a 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, diagonally across the street from Jordan Hall immediately
following the concert.

Cost: $45, $35 and $25. Free for Ticket Holders: Johan Koss will join Maestro
Cortese and violinist, Judith Ingolfsson at the pre-concert talk and post concert
Scandinavian themed receptions at both locations. The pre-concert "Conversation
with Cortese" will begin 45-minutes prior to the concert start.
To order tickets call 781-224-1117 or visit www.newenglandstringensemble.com


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

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