Arctic Philharmonic Takes Their Northern Sound on Tour This August
6/6/2025
Norwegian Arctic Philharmonic Orchestra, the world’s northernmost orchestra, embarks on an exciting European tour this August, bringing music deeply inspired by their unique Arctic home to some of the continent’s most prestigious venues.
Based well above the Arctic Circle in Northern Norway, the Arctic Philharmonic Orchestra serves a vast and distinctive region — including the islands of Svalbard, where they perform annually in Longyearbyen. Their homeland is part of Sápmi, the traditional territory of the Sami people, whose culture resonates through the orchestra’s musical identity.
The orchestra will perform at Amsterdam’s Concertgebouw on 16 August, Musikkfest Bremen in Papenburg on 19 August, and Hamburg’s renowned Elbphilharmonie on 20 August. They will be joined by the acclaimed soloist Eldbjørg Hemsing and conductor Nicoló Foron for this special series of concerts.
“It is an honor to be playing at these wonderful venues, and we are very excited,” says Director Trud Berg.
Audiences will experience an award-winning repertoire reflecting the Arctic region’s dramatic landscapes and rich cultural heritage. The program features excerpts from the orchestra’s signature work, The Sound of the Arctic by Lasse Thoresen, nominated for a Grammy Award in 2019, alongside selections from Arctic, the 2023 album collaboration with Hemsing, which won the prestigious Opus Klassik award.
The Arctic album includes compositions by Jacob Shea, Henning Sommero, Edvard Grieg, and Einojuhani Rautavaara, among others. Norwegian composer Frode Fjellheim’s contributions draw inspiration from joik, the traditional songs of the Sami people, adding an authentic cultural layer to the program. Hemsing describes the album as a “highly diverse sort of film score for the concert hall,” perfectly capturing the atmospheric contrasts of the far north.
“Our region and identity are very important to us, and we are proud to be performing music which means so much to us,” Berg adds.
Although young, Norwegian Arctic Philharmonic Orchestra, founded in 2009, already has an impressive international presence, having toured in Japan and China, and performed at Vienna’s Musikverein.
“Going on tour means a lot to us. It gives us the chance to grow and gain valuable experiences. It also gives us the opportunity to share a piece of the Arctic with a whole new audience, and those moments are always precious,” Berg reflects.
Arctic Philharmonic’s tour promises to be a remarkable journey, inviting audiences across Europe to experience the sounds, stories, and spirit of the Arctic like never before.
