We are delighted, that Ørjan Matre will be composer-in-residence at Bergen Philharmonic Orchestra from 2025 to 2027.
The residency will start with the world premiere of Matre’s new work Freude, a prelude to Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony to be followed by seven further performances that will feature existing and new works.
The collaboration between Bergen Philharmonic Orchestra and Matre goes back to 2003, when Bergen Philharmonic performed his first orchestral piece Attempted birdhouse 2.1. and both composer and orchestra are very excited for all the new things to come in the next two seasons.
Sigurd Sverdrup Sandmo, Managing Director of Bergen Philharmonic Orchestra, is looking forward to this partnership and says:
“Ørjan Matre is a composer with a clear voice in the present. For us, this two-year collaboration is not only about a sincere desire to present more of his music to the public, but also about a curiosity about what such a “voice in the present” could actually be. The Norwegian music field has some structural challenges related to visibility and performance of new music, and with this collaboration we have given ourselves time and space to explore the possibilities together with Ørjan.”
Performance Overview
September 4 & 5, 2025: Freude, world premiere
Bergen Philharmonic Orchestra, Jan Willem de Vriend
September 18, 2025: preSage
Bergen Philharmonic Orchestra, Dinis Sousa
October 03, 2025: Lyric Pieces II
Ellena Armelius (piano), Ørjan Matre (electronics), Bergen String Quartet
December 04, 2025: … yet from these flames no light … (version with chorus)
Johannes Wik (harp), Edvard Grieg Vokalensemble, Bergen Philharmonic Orchestra, Matthew Halls
April 09, 2026: Resurgence
Bergen Philharmonic Youth Orchestra, Antony Hermus
April 16 & 17, 2026: Piano Concerto
Leif Ove Andsnes (piano), Bergen Philharmonic Orchestra, Edward Gardner
For more information see: Bergen Philharmonic Orchestra.
