Role

:

Composer Conductor  

Birth

:

June 23, 1973 in Oslo, Norway

Genre

:

Chamber

 

 

Concerto

 

Henning Kraggerud is a Norwegian violinist and composer who has established himself as one of the most versatile and innovative musicians of his generation. Born on May 29, 1973, in Oslo, Kraggerud grew up in a musical family and began playing the violin at the age of six. He studied at the Barratt Due Institute of Music in Oslo and later at the Conservatoire de Paris, where he was a student of Camilla Wicks and Philippe Graffin. Kraggerud made his debut as a soloist with the Oslo Philharmonic Orchestra at the age of 16 and has since performed with many of the world's leading orchestras, including the London Philharmonic Orchestra, the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, the Berlin Radio Symphony Orchestra, the Tokyo Philharmonic Orchestra, and the St. Petersburg Philharmonic Orchestra. He has also collaborated with conductors such as Mariss Jansons, Vladimir Ashkenazy, and Sir Neville Marriner. Kraggerud is known for his virtuosic and expressive playing, as well as his innovative programming and improvisational skills. He has a particular affinity for the music of Mozart, and has recorded all of Mozart's violin concertos with the Norwegian Chamber Orchestra. He has also recorded the complete works for violin and orchestra by Johan Svendsen, as well as works by Grieg, Sibelius, and Tchaikovsky. In addition to his work as a performer, Kraggerud is also a prolific composer and arranger. He has written several works for violin and orchestra, including his Violin Concerto "Equinox" and his "Preghiera" for violin and strings. He has also arranged works by composers such as Bach, Grieg, and Sibelius for violin and chamber ensemble. Kraggerud has received numerous awards and honors throughout his career. In 1999, he won the prestigious Grieg Prize for his contributions to Norwegian music. He was also awarded the Sibelius Prize in 2007 for his interpretations of Sibelius's music. In 2010, he was named Artist of the Year by the Norwegian Ministry of Culture, and in 2016 he was awarded the Royal Norwegian Order of Merit for his contributions to Norwegian culture. One of Kraggerud's most notable performances was his debut at the BBC Proms in 2007, where he performed the world premiere of his own Violin Concerto "Equinox" with the BBC Symphony Orchestra. The concerto, which was inspired by the changing seasons and the natural world, was well-received by critics and audiences alike. Kraggerud is also known for his collaborations with other musicians and artists. He has worked with the Norwegian jazz pianist Bugge Wesseltoft on several projects, including their album "Last Spring," which features improvisations on Grieg's "Last Spring" and other Norwegian folk tunes. He has also collaborated with the Norwegian choreographer Ina Christel Johannessen on several dance productions, including "Carmen" and "The Rite of Spring." In recent years, Kraggerud has become increasingly involved in music education and outreach. He has served as a mentor and teacher for young musicians through programs such as the Crescendo Summer Institute in Hungary and the Barratt Due Institute of Music in Oslo. He has also developed his own educational program, "The Art of Listening," which aims to help people of all ages and backgrounds develop a deeper appreciation for classical music.

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