The day began with a masterclass, where young musicians worked closely with the festival’s Artistic Director, violinist and educator Alf Richard Kraggerud, before audiences headed to the day’s first concert.
From Bach’s Deepest Sorrow to a Spanish Fiesta, All in One Day
The fourth festival day was packed with events at Valdres sommersymfoni. Audiences could choose from a wide range of experiences, from a masterclass with Alf Richard Kraggerud and a free concert in Briskebyen to Bach in Ulnes Church, a performance of the Peer Gynt ballet, and a Spanish fiesta evening at Nythun.
Music and Flavours in Briskebyen
The concert To Valdres drew an enthusiastic audience in Briskebyen. People enjoyed performances by our talented Papillon musicians alongside local food producers, who offered sausages, cheeses, and other specialties from Valdres.
Over the years To Valdres has become a beloved festival tradition, giving audience the chance to experience classical music right in the heart of the town, free of charge. Combined with beautiful summer weather, the event creates a unique and welcoming atmosphere.
The concert brings together musical performances and local flavours, culminating in the popular contest to crown the year's best cured sausage. After tasting products from local producers, people are invited to vote for their favourites. It is precisely this meeting of music, people, and local food culture that makes the concert such a distinctive and popular feature of the festival programme.
A Moving Bach Experience
Later in the day the audience filled Ulnes Church for Bach’s Heritage, a musical and personal journey into the life and works of Johann Sebastian Bach.
Throughout the concert Terje Tønnesen shared fascinating stories and reflections on the composer. He described his own arrangement, Surabandabach, as «a violinist trying to play Bach’s Sarabande but being attacked by a jazz demon», a free and playful interpretation that illustrated how classical music can continually find new forms of expression.
Tønnesen also recounted the moving story of the summer of 1720, when Bach returned home from a journey to learn that his wife, Maria Barbara, had died and already been buried, leaving him alone with four children.
During this period, Bach composed his celebrated sonatas and partitas for solo violin. Tønnesen highlighted the theory that the title Sei Solomay be read not only as «six solos» but also as «you are alone». In this interpretation, the music becomes a deeply personal dialogue with God, shaped by grief, faith and hope.
This was particularly evident in the performance of the Chaconne, where Tønnesen’s violin was joined by the voices of sopranos Ann-Helen Moen and Guro Thronæs-Sivertsen.
The performers included Atle Sponberg, Terje Tønnesen, Andreas Martinsen, Henning Haldorsen, Njord Fossnes, Frida Rogn, Owen Sørbye Davis, Torun Stavseng, Knut Erik Sundquist, Ann-Helen Moen and Guro Thronæs-Sivertsen.
A Full House for Peer Gynt
Another highlight of the day was the newly choreographed production of Peer Gynt, created in collaboration between Valdres Summer Ballet and Valdres sommersymfoni.
Choreographed by Sergei Bondur, the performance also marked the 10th anniversary of the partnership between the two institutions. Dance, song and live music came together in a compelling artistic interpretation of Grieg’s timeless score.
Ballet enthusiasts, Grieg admirers and festivalgoers alike filled the venue, making it a sold-out performance.
Spanish Rhythms at Nythun
The festival day concluded with the celebratory concert Tapas! A Fiesta at Nythun, taking the audience on a musical journey through Spanish moods, rhythms and colours.
The evening opened with young violinist Frida Gandia Jenssen and pianist Nikita Khnykin performing Manuel de Falla’s popular Spanish Dance. Ann-Helen Moen and Christian Ihle Hadland then brought de Falla’s folk-song settings to life, before Atle Sponberg transported the audience to the world of the Alhambra Palace with Tárrega’s Recuerdos de la Alhambra.
Terje Tønnesen and Christian Ihle Hadland dazzled in the virtuosic and characterful music of Fritz Kreisler, while Torun Stavseng impressed with excerpts from Cassadó’s Suite for Solo Cello. Hadland also invited the audience into the nocturnal atmosphere of de Falla’s Nocturno.
The finale was a celebration in every sense of the word. Sarasate’s energetic Navarra brought together Atle Sponberg, Andreas Martinsen and Christian Ihle Hadland in a sparkling display of ensemble playing, before Chick Corea’s Spain provided a glowing and fitting conclusion to the evening.
