A national treasure of their native Norway, the Vertavo Quartet has firmly
established itself as one of the most exciting ensembles of today. Still only
in their early thirties, these four friends have performed together for over
20 years, having formed their quartet in Oslo in 1984. On top of a long line
of prizes and accolades in June 2005, the Quartet were honoured with the Grieg-Prize
2005; a prize bestowed on an artist of high international standing and of which
former recipients include Leif Ove Andsnes, Truls Mork and the Grieg Trio.
Their special affinity for contemporary music has led them to give commanding
performances of works by Ligeti, Ades and works by contemporary Nordic composers
such as Norgard and Asheim. Collaboration with fellow musicians plays an integral
role in the Vertavo Quartet's concert life, enriched not least as Artistic Directors
of the Elverum Summer Music Festival in Norway where they have formed partnerships
with Hakan Hagegard, Malena Ernman, Jean-Yves Thibaudet, Stephen Kovacevich,
Leif Ove Andsnes, Hakan Hardenberger, Christian Lindberg, Isabelle van Keulen
and Michael Collins.
Having appeared in the Summer 2005 festivals in Lyon and Hitzacker, the Vertavo's
2005/06 season sees them return to Stockholm and Gothenberg's Konserthusets,
and to Germany with concerts in Bavaria, Hamburg, and Celle. They are guest
artists on a new chamber series in Helsinki, and in the UK they are guest quartet
at Manchester's Bridgewater Hall, Nottingham and Sheffield at 'Music in the
Round'. In North America they appear on Calgary's long established Pro Musica
Quartet Series. Plans for 2006/07 include a performance at New York's Weill
Recital Hall at Carnegie Hall.
The Quartet first captured international attention when they won no fewer
than four awards including the First Prize at the 2nd Melbourne International
Chamber Music Competition in 1995. They went on to receive the Nordic Chamber
Music Prize (1996), the Critics' Prize from the Norwegian press (1996), a nomination
for the Nordic Council's Culture Award in 1998 and the Nordea prize in 2003.
July 2005
http://www.vertavo.com/
