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Reviews
Concerts
Camerata Nordica, Crossing Borders
”Camerata Nordica may hail from Sweden, but the chamber orchestra’s Tuesday evening concert at the Kennedy Center’s Terrace Theater pointed toward more cosmopolitan affiliations. While it did wonders in works of Scandinavian composers, the group brought an idiomatic sound to music from
Britain
,
Germany
and beyond.
… Swift tempos, minimal vibrato and – most noticeably – excellent ensemble went into a warm, sweeping and well-appointed reading of Handel’s Concerto grosso in G.
… A brilliant rendition of Britten’s “Variations on a Theme of Frank Bridge”, Op 10, highlighted the then 23-year-old composer’s stunning ability to manipulate tempo and texture to conjure up any musical style.
Camerata Nordica sounded full and fleet in Sibelius’s Suite for Violin and String Orchestra, Op
117, in
which the group’s leader and soloist Terje Tonneson infused equal doses of precision and songfulness. An elegant version of Grieg’s ‘Holberg Suite’, Op 40, closed this memorable evening.”
Daniel Ginsberg, The
Washington
Post
Swedes shine with freshness, flair
"Points go to the Tacoma Philharmonic, which opened its 69th season Wednesday in a thoroughly nonarthritic concert that had that elusive quality that most classical music events strive for but few achieve: freshness.
Sweden’s Camerata Nordica, a nimble string orchestra 15 members strong, kicked off its sixth American tour at Tacoma’s Pantages Theater on a bill presented by the philharmonic. The players of this traveling band plainly have chemistry. They respond to each other. They stand while they perform, and instead of bowing in lockstep, as they would in a symphony orchestra, they sway like members of a rowdy crowd, each angling for a view of something unforgettable.
Best of all, the music they played was anything but typical."
Jen Graves, The News Tribune, Tacoma
“The magic began with the opening movement of George Handel’s “Concerto Grosso no
1”
from his Opus Six. Perfect bowing and an acute sense of how dynamics fit the church’s acoustics were apparent from the downbeat.
… The nearly impossible Benjamin Britten “Variations on a Theme by
Frank
Bridge
” completed the first half of the concert. Excellent intonation held on through the dramatic introduction all the way through the lightning-fast Fugue and Finale, where the ensemble’s extended pianissimo playing in highest registers held the crowd spellbound.
… Long and strong applause from standing patrons greeted Camerata Nordica on completion of the “Holberg Suite”. Tonnesen brought out two encores to satisfy the house’s appetite for more.”
John Cutler,
Lincoln
Journal Star
" Through direct eye contact and body language, the members of the ensemble maintain an intense, high-level, sensitive connection wtih one another, moving as individuals yet playing with one glorious sound. Overall, Camerata Nordica's performance offered priceless opportunities for intense, complex musical experiences."
Journal-World, Lawrence, Kansas, USA
"Camerata Sweden showed its intelligence and clarity. The orchestra has a compact and very beautiful chamber-musical sound. Rameau was played absolutely in style. Mozart was performed with energy and spontaneity, which made the audience enthusiastic.
Our judgement: very good."
La Nacion, Buenos Aires, Argentina
"An excellent leader, Terje Tønnesen, also a violinist beyond comparison, together with a group of outstanding musicians, makes Camerata Sueca to one of the best music ensembles today. Camerata Sueca gives the impression that it is better to listen to the classics performed by a smaller number of interpreters than by the large orchestras. Camerata raises itself above other chamber groups by sinking deeper into our soul."
Guia São João, São Paulo, Brazil
"... the ensemble immediately demonstrated its skills of dynamic variation and tightly knit interplay. The conclusion was a lesson in just how subtly, softly and with great control a band of this size can perform.
With hundreds of performances of the serenade [Eine kleine Nachtmusik] available, future performers would do well to listen to the Camerata Sweden play it to see how this chestnut can be made new."
John Fidler, Reading Eagle, Pennsylvania, USA
Camerata Sweden concert a triumph.
The playing was marked by tight balance, broad stylistic range and limitless energy. ... playing that was zeasty and spirited, yet full of tenderness and refinement."
Jennifer Weininger, Telegram&Gazette, Worcester, Massachusetts, USA
"The Camerata was absolutely phenomenal - what a pleasure to hear them. They are intense, extraordinary musicians. We would love to get their great sound onto the air as soon as possible."
Cathy Fuller, classical producer WGBH Radio, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
"The group's intonation was impeccable, their articulation was stylish and convincing. ... Impressive contrasts in dynamics, tone, and sound added to its triumph."
Cary Koh, San Fransisco Classical Voice, USA
Camerata Roman at St John’s, London:
”The Camerata Roman are Swedish. They are also outstandingly good, practised and magnetic in performance. Why magnetic? Because the empathy between the players is unique. They have no conductor and rely entirely upon mutual sensitivity, deeply felt mutual intentions and good old fashioned eye contact and body language.”
Musical Opinion, United Kingdom
"The ensemble represents a high standard, performing an ambitious repertoire and is skilled in obtaining excellent soloists. The listener can experience a superb quality with this conductor-less ensemble
... the divertimento with its astonishing youthful charm was played with lightness, well balanced and stylistically convincing."
Göteborgs-Posten, Gothenburg, Sweden
”...plays without a conductor but with remarkable precision and mutual musicality... The orchestra’s version of Nielsen finds a place, according to my ears, at the top of the scores of recordings made throughout the years.”
Göteborgs-Posten, Gothenburg, Sweden
"If ever a recording of this event would be put on disc, it could well be regarded as a standard of excellence in the art of interpreting a certain style."
Svenska Dagbladet, Stockholm, Sweden
Recordings
”There’s elegance, bravura, triumphant collaboration.”
The New York Times, USA
" ... a warm and vibrant performance. [...] Camerata Roman delivers full-blooded playing with elegance and precision. Per Tengstrand's delicate touch creates a richness of nuances..."
(Four stars out of five)
Svenska Dagbladet, Stockholm, Sweden
"... surpasses all expectations. I have not in many years heard Mozart played better by any Swedish orchestra."
(Four stars out of five)
Göteborgs-Posten, Gothenburg, Sweden
”...this one is a pleasant surprise...[These] three composers together create a unified and satisfying program...Camerata Roman is a well-known Swedish chamber orchestra...Their playing is a delight - crisp, bright, and expressive. They do very well by this music indeed. I enjoyed both the selections and their interpretation...”
American Record Guide
"Imaginative, with gusto, verve, enthusiasm and fire! They performed according to the rules, as we today like to think music from the 17th and 18th century should be interpreted, with full off freedom.... You simply must hear this version."
Göteborgs-Posten, Gothenburg, Sweden
"Brilliant, opulent and elegant playing. The virtuoso parts are performed with remarkable precision."
Aftenposten, Oslo, Norway
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