(1888PressRelease)
March 26, 2008 - 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 http://www.newenglandstringensemble.com
