Franz Josep Haydn Symphony no. 96 in D major (The miracle) Golfam Khayam I am not a tale to be told Gustav Mahler Symphony no. 4 in G Major, The Heavenly Bliss Symphony Barbara Hannigan Barbara Hannigan
The Icelandic Symphony Orchestra and the Canadian soprano and conductor Barbara Hannigan are coming to Akureyri and will hold a concert in Hofi on Friday, June 16. It's only been a year since Barbara first came to Iceland and had a memorable success with the band Harpa at the Art Festival in Reykjavík in the spring of 2022. Fréttablaðin's reviewer said, among other things, about that concert: "The interpretation was dreamy and poetic, there is an elevated atmosphere over everything, ” and “the result was a rarely heard thrill”.
Barbara Hannigan has attracted worldwide admiration in recent years, for her magnificent singing and no less for her skills as a conductor. She has worked with all the major orchestras in the world and has premiered over 85 new compositions, among others by György Ligeti and Hans Abrahamsen. She has also sung in the world's major opera houses, including the demanding title role in Alban Berg's Lulu. Barbara Hannigan has received numerous awards for her art, including a Grammy Award for the album Crazy Girl Crazy in 2018 and the prestigious Léonie Sonning Award in 2020. When the Rolf Schock Award fell to her, the jury justified their decision by saying that Hannigan would be "a unique and progressive performer who approaches the music she performs with a powerful and vibrant way".
The repertoire of the concert in June will include three breathtaking compositions where Barbara Hannigan's lyricism and playfulness can be enjoyed both in singing and conducting. Two of the pieces are considered masterpieces of musical literature, namely Joseph Haydn's so-called Miracle Symphony no. 96 and Gustav Mahler's fourth symphony, the so-called Heavenly Bliss Symphony, where Barbara plays the soprano role as well as conducting the orchestra. Mahler's symphony is preceded by a new and exciting work by the Iranian composer Golfam Khayam, who enjoys great success for his compositions. Barbara Hannigan's paths crossed after Hannigan's participation in a solidarity concert with women in Iran, and this short and improvisational musical meditation was written with her in mind. Haydn's symphony is one of his brilliant London symphonies where his sense of humor and perfect command of the form are enjoyed to the fullest. Mahler's Bliss Symphony is likewise in a class of its own among his compositions – classical in form and accessible but full of childlike sincerity, love of nature and a sense of the transcendent.