Valdres Summer Symphony brings together four outstanding performers for a late‑morning concert at Noraker Farm – from Romanticism to Modernism, right in the heart of one of Valdres’ most historic farmyards.
Hanne Marit Mordal Iversen – soprano
Soprano Hanne Marit Mordal Iversen has quickly established herself as one of the most distinctive young voices in the Nordic region. She completed her master’s degree at the Norwegian Academy of Music in 2024 and is a regular member of the Norwegian Soloists’ Choir.
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Internationally, she has distinguished herself with a number of awards, including the Prix de Lied (Paris), the Britten Pears Young Artist Programme Prize (Wigmore Hall), and first prize in the Sibelius Singing Duo Competition. She also won the top award in K‑Gagok Superstar in Seoul, a competition that brings together some of the most promising young singers from across Asia and Europe. Iversen is known for her textual precision and tonal control, and her ability to combine vocal flexibility with clear, communicative intent makes her particularly well suited to both Spohr’s lyrical lines and Britten’s more intricate vocal writing.
Revaz Abramia – piano
Pianist Revaz Abramia, originally from Tbilisi and now based in Norway, has established himself as a central chamber musician and Lied pianist. He is completing his master’s studies at the Norwegian Academy of Music, where he also works as an accompanist. Together with Hanne Marit Mordal Iversen, he has won several international awards, including the Prix de Lied, the Britten Pears Young Artist Programme Prize, and the Sibelius Singing Duo Competition. Abramia brings an analytical yet flexible approach to the repertoire, and his refined sense of sound makes him a true co‑creator in the music of Clarke, Mendelssohn Hensel, and Britten.
Björn Nyman – clarinet
Björn Nyman is regarded as one of the leading clarinetists in the Nordic region. He is a professor at the Norwegian Academy of Music and principal clarinetist of the Norwegian Chamber Orchestra, following two decades as principal clarinetist of the Norwegian Radio Orchestra. He has distinguished himself internationally with top placements in the ARD Competition in Munich and the Carl Nielsen Competition in Odense, two of the world’s most prestigious competitions for clarinet. Nyman’s distinctive and flexible sound makes him an ideal interpreter of the music of Spohr and Mendelssohn Hensel, where the clarinet functions as a parallel voice to the soprano.
Sigurd Sverdrup Sandmo – host
The concert is presented by Sigurd Sverdrup Sandmo, Chief Executive of the Bergen Philharmonic Orchestra and former leader of several key cultural institutions, including KORO and the Royal Collections. With a background as a critic and cultural historian, he offers the audience a precise and insightful framework for the music.
Noraker Farm – hosts and lunch service
Noraker Farm provides the lunch following the concert, giving the event a clear and authentic local grounding. The farm is renowned for its long-standing rakfisk tradition, and the hosts serve a selection of their own rakfisk dishes alongside other local specialties. This allows the audience to step directly from the concert into a meal that reflects both the history of the farm and the culinary heritage of the region.