Cultural deal in mid-Norway

A group-wide cultural agreement concluded by Statoil today, 13 June, will make it the main partner for a collaboration between the Trondheim Chamber Music Festival and Trondheim Soloists.

Running until 1 January 2005 with options for extension, this deal is partly intended to help inspire and develop talented young musicians in mid-Norway.

The Trondheim Chamber Music Festival (TKMF) embraces several forms of artistic expression, including classical music, jazz, painting, food and literature.

It gives special emphasis to supporting young musicians who are in the start-up phase.

Trondheim Soloists (TS) embraces 17 young musicians hand-picked for their ability. Most are music students, but professionals and freelancers also belong.

These soloists participate in about 70 concerts a year in Norway and abroad, and have taken part in a tour with the internationally-famed violinist Anne Sofie Mutter.

The TKMF-TS collaboration links two important and successful cultural institutions in the mid-Norway region.

“Our joint aim is to provide the public with a complete chamber music programme of top international quality throughout the year,” says TKMF head Vegar Snøfugl.

The deal gives Statoil access to musical and artistic activities, and its 1,000 employees in mid-Norway will have good opportunities to benefit from this cultural partnership.

“We already have group-level deals with the Oslo Jazz Festival, the Bergen International Festival, the Stavanger Symphony Orchestra and the Festival of North Norway,” notes Oddvar Høie, marketing manager in Statoil’s promotion and media unit.

“The agreement with the TKMF and TS will provide an exciting addition to this portfolio.”