The Bergen Philharmonic Orchestra have announced that Chief Conductor Edward Gardner is extending his contract with the orchestra for one additional year, until July 2024.

The collaboration between Gardner and the orchestra is a success story, and since he joined in 2015 the partnership has resulted in 13 critically acclaimed recordings and nine international tours in addition to great concerts at the orchestra’s home in Grieghallen. Acclaimed recording projects on Chandos Records have included Benjamin Britten’s Peter Grimes, Arnold Schoenberg’s Gurre-Lieder, Erwartung and Pelleas und Melisande, a series of works by Leoš Janáček, and coming up in July 2021, a new recording devoted to Jean Sibelius, with Lise Davidsen as the soloist. International touring highlights have featured memorable concerts at the BBC Proms, Edinburgh International Festival, Royal Festival Hall, Elbphilharmonie, Concertgebouw and Konzerthaus Berlin. Gardner is also very supportive and engaged with the orchestra’s streaming service, BergenPhiLive, and he conducts the Bergen Philharmonic Youth Orchestra on a regular basis.

“Edward Gardner is, and has been, an incredible force and inspiration for the Bergen Philharmonic, even more so during the pandemic,” the orchestra’s CEO Bernt Bauge commented on the extension. “At the same time, Covid-19 has resulted in many delayed projects, and we are therefore incredibly happy to announce that Gardner will extend his engagement with the Bergen Philharmonic Orchestra for one additional year. This gives us inspiration, hope and assurance to resume our artistic activity on the other side of the pandemic to the fullest possible extent.”

Edward Gardner commented: “I am thrilled to be continuing my relationship with the wonderful Bergen Philharmonic Orchestra. It seems to grow with everything we do, and especially the last year has been indicative of the bravery and the intrepid qualities of the orchestra. This extra year with also give us an opportunity to fulfil so many projects left unrealised. I am so happy to be able to extend and continue working with my incredible musicians.”

Edward Gardner and the Bergen Philharmonic will open the 2021-22 season with Bioluminescence by Norwegian composer Kristine Tjøgersen (winner of the Pauline Hall-Competition for women composers), Carl Nielsen’s Violin Concerto with Johan Dalene, and John Adams’s Harmonium. In December 2021, Gardner and the orchestra will tour Barcelona and Paris, with Lise Davidsen as the soloist.

www.harmonien.no | www.bergenphilive.no