Widmann and Mazzoli are future festival composers in Bergen

Each year the Bergen International Festival presents a musical portrait of a contemporary composer through a number of performances and personal meetings with the artist during the festival.

In 2020 it is the German multi-disciplinary artist Jörg Widmann who is the festival composer and artist in residence.

‘Jörg Widmann is one of the most interesting composers in Europe, and recognized as one of the leading clarinet virtuosos. In addition, he is an outstanding conductor. To be both a composing and a performing artist at this level is very rare – we hardly see it in contemporary music, says Festival director Anders Beyer.

He has had several meetings with Jörg Widmann to plan the upcoming programme.

‘I am very excited to be part of the 2020 Bergen International

Festival – their musical vision, variety and quality is truly outstanding and inspiring for the whole Nordic region. As their Artist in Residence I hope to contribute to this remarkable festival, hopefully creating a unique experience by combining music of the present with music of the past,’ says Jörg Widmann.

The 2021 Festival composer and artist in residence may be a new acquaintance for many music fans. American Missy Mazzoli was Grammy nominated in December, and earlier this autumn it was announced that she has been commissioned to write an opera for The Metropolitan Opera.

‘At a young age, Missy Mazzoli has had a great breakthrough as a composer. Her music is accessible and modern at the same time. She speaks to a large audience, but with a very personal voice which demonstrates that she is on her way to becoming one of her generation’s leading figures in American music, says Anders Beyer.

Missy Mazzoli is looking forward to the upcoming collaboration.