Christian Ihle HadlandFestival square

"When I can play the music I love, what happens on stage is a form of concentrated deep happiness, which I hope shines through," says pianist Christian Ihle Hadland. 

Hadland's career stretches back to his teenage years and his debut with the Norwegian Radio Orchestra. Since then, he has performed on numerous stages both in Norway and abroad and has also released several acclaimed recordings. This year, you can experience the pianist at the Festival square. 

"I've always been very fond of playing on outdoor stages. There's nothing like playing with the sky above you; it's something completely different from being inside a concert hall," he says. 

At the concert, he will perform both Chopin's lively Rondo in E-flat major and works such as The Lark by Russian composer Mikhail Glinka and Mili Balakirev. The free concert concludes by welcoming the season with Norwegian composer Christian Sinding's Rustle of Spring. 

Christian Ihle Hadland is also a former student of the renowned piano teacher Jirí Hlinka, who will be celebrated during this year's Festival. 

"It's exciting to be part of the Festival, to play and to celebrate Jirí. The Bergen International Festival simply has an inexplicable energy about it. There's something about the experience that's hard to put into words," says Hadland. 

Photo: Nikolaj Lund

Recommended age

0–99

Contributors

• ​Christian Ihle Hadland piano

Music by

• ​Glinka

• Chopin

• Grieg  

• Sinding

Works

• ​Mikhail Glinka (1804–1857)
  From A Farewell to St Petersburg, IMG 9
  10 The Lark, arr. Mily Balakirev (1836–1910)

• Frédéric Chopin (1810–1849)
  Rondo in E flat major, op. 16

• Edvard Grieg (1843–1907)
  From Norwegian Peasant Dances, op. 72
  3 Bridal March from Telemark
  4 Halling from the Hills (Tune from the Fairy Hill)

• Christian Sinding (1856–1941)
  Rustle of Spring, op. 32:3

Made possible by

​​Grieg Foundation