NOVO Quartet

& Saphir Quartet

Festival Academy of Bergen

What does a 16-year-old give his violin teacher for a birthday gift? In the autumn of 1825, Felix Mendelssohn gave a signed score. The young composer had written a piece for four violins, two violas, and two cellos, and with this, he made the octet a groundbreaking work in chamber music.

In Troldsalen, Saphir opens this matinée concert with the first movement of Debussy's only string quartet, and NOVO performs the entire String quartet no. 9 by Shostakovich. The two up-and-coming quartets then come together for Mendelssohn's octet.

The Norwegian Saphir Quartet has been praised for their joy of playing and enthusiasm for conveying music, and in 2024 they won the chamber music competition Fischoff in the US. The Danish NOVO Quartet has distinguished itself on international stages and in competitions.

Image: NOVO Quartet (photo: Maya Matsuura) & Saphir Quartet (photo: C.F. Wesenberg)

Transport

With your concert ticket you can book free return bus transportation from the Tourist Information to the venue at Troldhaugen. Departure one hour before the concert starts, return after the concert. The journey takes approx. 30 min. 

Contributors

• NOVO Quartet:

• Kaya Kato Møller violin

• Nikolai Vasili Nedergaard violin

• Daniel Śledziński viola

• Signe Ebstrup Bitsch cello

• Saphir Quartet:

• Amanda Noor Vatn violin

• Philippe Jayer violin

• Torje Råbu violin, viola

• Iris Kalliovirta cello

Works

• Claude Debussy (1862–1918)
  String Quartet in G minor, op. 10
  1. Animé et très décidé

• Dmitrij Sjostakovitsj (1906–1975)
  String Quartet No. 9 in E-flat major, op. 117
  1. Moderato con moto
  2. Adagio
  3. Allegretto
  4. Adagio
  5. Allegro

• Felix Mendelssohn (1809–1847)
  String Octet in E-flat major, op. 20
  1. Allegro moderato con fuoco
  2. Andante
  3. Scherzo. Allegro leggierissimo
  4. Presto

In collaboration with

Voksenåsen Music Academies

Supported by

The Savings Bank Foundation DNB and Talent Norge