Borealis 2011

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Peter Szilvay

Peter Szilvay first came to the fore as a conductor with the Norwegian Radio Orchestra in 1996, ending his diploma studies at the Norwegian State Academy of Music in Oslo. He was soon spotted as an talent among young Norwegian conductors: he was conductor in residence with the Stavanger Symphony Orchestra in the period 1998 – 2000, and he won the Norwegian competition ‘Conductor of the Year’ in 1998, followed by an invitation by Mariss Jansons’ to serve as his assistant.

Szilvay has gained experience from working with a number of orchestras: the St Petersburg Philharmonic as well as Scandinavian symphony orchestras and all the leading Norwegian orchestras. His versatility has led him into working in the opera field and on several ballet projects for the Norwegian Opera. He has worked extensively with Norwegian military bands, and he has made his positive mark in the field of contemporary music with several leading contemporary music ensembles. He has also for some time been a part of the artistic leadership of the annual Winter Music Festival at Røros. He has worked with soloists, such as Leila Josefowitz, Elizabeth Norberg-Schulz, Virginia Tola, Martin Fröst, Håkan Hagegård. Most recently, Szilvay was chosen as the season's conductor profile by the Norwegian Radio Orchestra, with 4 concert projects and a very varied repertoire up the pipeline. The most demanding production is undoubtedly the Johannes Haarklou oratorio 'Skabelsen og mennesket' (words by Henrik Wergeland), performed in November for the first time since 1924, as part of the Wergeland2008 celebrations.