Rune Bergmann – new Artistic Director and Principal Conductor of the Philharmonic in Szczecin

Rune Bergmann is a versatile, ambitious and experienced conductor, finding himself comfortable with classical, romantic and operatic repertoire as well as contemporary music. Because of his energy and vibrancy combined with his great skill and creative musical interpretations, he is considered among the best young conductors of Scandinavia. Bergmann comes from Norway and since 2013 has been Principal Guest Conductor of the musicians of the Kaunas City Symphony Orchestra in Lithuania. His intense concert activity encompasses performances with musicians from the Oslo Philharmonic Orchestra, Norwegian National Opera, Mainfranken Theater Würzburg and Philharmonie Südwestfalen among many others. He also keeps a busy schedule conducting with orchestras from North America, including the Alabama Symphony Orchestra, Grand Rapids Symphony, New Mexico Philharmonic, as well as the Brevard Music Festival. In spring 2016, Bergman made his debut with the Calgary Philharmonic, also conducting concerts with the Detroit and Houston Symphonies.

Bergmann has already had the opportunity to work with the Szczecin Philharmonic Symphony Orchestra. On 11 March 2016, the musicians gave a concert under his baton together with pianist Freddy Kempf. At that time, a diverse repertoire was presented, combining George Gershwin with compositions by the Scandinavian composers Jean Sibelius and Carl Nielsen . As he recalls himself, working with the Szczecin musicians was very fruitful: It is a truly hard-working orchestra with a huge potential. I felt amazingly good on stage with them.

Bergmann announces that he has already begun working on the new repertoire for the Philharmonic in Szczecin. The choice of compositions and soloists is an important element for the development of the musicians. My great desire and aim is together with the orchestra to become an important place on the musical map of the world. Now is the time to get to know one another better and find our way together. Changes must be planned wisely so that everyone feels comfortable – says the new artistic director of the Philharmonic in Szczecin about this intentions. He adds that music lovers can be sure of an exciting repertoire for the new season. I promise that the audience will feel new energy coming from the symphonic hall – explains Rune Bergmann.

The previous principal conductor Ewa Strusińska has performed since the 2013/2014 artistic season when concerts took place in the old Philharmonic in Armii Krajowej Square. One of the biggest challenges the conductor and orchestra managed to face was beginning the new season in the new building, where Stusińska conducted the final opening concert featuring Steve Vai. Over the three years of her intensive work with the Szczecin Philharmonic Symphony Orchestra, the conductor led several dozen concerts. A thread of understanding appeared between her and the orchestra, a kind of liking, whose results were evident in many good performances, receiving very good reviews from music lovers, reviewers and musical critics. Joint work both in Szczecin and on guest concerts in Germany brought a feeling of fulfilment. Ewa Strusińska will not end her cooperation with the Philharmonic in Szczecin as she remains an important element in the international project for young musicians. She will conduct a group of talented youth from all over the world during the fourth edition the International Lutosławski Youth Orchestra. And on 30th October, she will appear together with the Berlin Youth Orchestra in the symphonic hall.