EarRelevant Staff | 21 DEC 2024
OSLO, Norway— Now in its 13th year, the Kon-Tiki Chamber Music Festival, under co-artistic directors David Coucheron and Julie Coucheron, will return to the Norwegian Maritime Museum in Oslo from June 12 to 14, 2025, showcasing world-class musicians and some of the rarest string instruments in existence.
This year’s lineup will highlight performances by violists Cynthia Phelps and Lars Anders Tomter, who both play instruments crafted by 16th-century Italian violin maker Gasparo da Salò. With only 10 such instruments remaining worldwide, their inclusion in the festival represents a unique opportunity for music enthusiasts.
Other featured performers include cellist Andreas Brantelid, who plays a 1707 Stradivarius, violinist David Coucheron on a 1725 Stradivarius, and violinist Miriam Helms Ålien, who performs on a Stradivarius from 1689. Organizers described the collection of instruments as “exceptionally rare,” underscoring the event’s appeal to both classical music fans and historians. While the main focus of this year’s festival will be these string instruments, pianists Julie Coucheron and Wolfgang Plagge will also be among the festival’s performers.
The event has become a key part of Norway’s summer cultural calendar, drawing audiences from across the country and abroad.
“It’s easy to fly to Oslo from Atlanta,” says Julie Coucheron. “We already know a few patrons from Atlanta who are planning to travel over in 2025 for the festival. It’s a nice combination to hear the concerts with these wonderful artists, get to see and hear these special instruments, and also tour one of the most beautiful countries in the world!”
Here is a list of the festival’s scheduled programs:
Kon-Tiki Chamber Music Festival 2025 Concerts
- Thursday, June 12 • at 6:00 pm
Ludwig van BEETHOVEN: Sonata for violin and piano no. 4 in A minor
Felix MENDELSSOHN: String Quintet No. 2, Op. 87 - Friday, June 13 • at 6:00 pm
Antonín DVOŘÁK: String Quintet in E flat major
Johannes BRAHMS: Piano Quintet in F minor, Op. 34 - Saturday, June 14 • at 1:00 pm
Children’s/family concert (Free). - Saturday, May 14 • at 6:00 pm
Johannes BRAHMS: String Quintet No. 2 in G major
(Note: Programs subject to change.)
The festival is offering discounted tickets priced at 350 kroner (about $31 US) through Jan. 1, 2025, organizers announced. For more information or to purchase tickets, visit the festival website at kontikiklassisk.no/en/ (in English) or kontikiklassisk.no (på norsk), or contact organizers at post@kontikiklassisk.no. ■
Siblings and Kon-Tiki Chamber Music Festival co-artistic directors David and Julie Coucheron. (credit: Beate Krogh)
EXTERNAL LINKS:
- Kon-Tiki Chamber Music Festival: kontikiklassisk.no/en
- Norwegian Maritime Museum: marmuseum.no/en/
- Julie & David Coucheron: davidandjuliecoucheron.com
Read more by EarRelevant Staff.
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