"Echoes of Folk Songs" is a concert in which pianist Dina Bensaïd and saxophonist Ola Asdahl Rokkones take the audience on a journey through classical music inspired by folk music – from Morocco, via Spain and Germany, to Norway. The programme features classical gems by Manuel de Falla, Robert Schumann and Kjell Habbestad, as well as the world premiere of a brand-new work by the Moroccan composer Ahmed Essyad. The duo are currently on an exclusive tour of Norway, with concerts in Oslo, Kongsberg, Drammen and Tromsø.
The Moroccan pianist Dina Bensaïd is one of the greatest classical stars from North Africa today. Having completed her studies at the CNSMD in Paris, she has performed at several of Europe’s leading classical venues – including with the English Chamber Orchestra (2015) and the Philharmonie de Paris (2022). As one of the regular guest conductors of L’Orchestre Philharmonique du Maroc, she is also the first female conductor in the Arab world.
Ola Asdahl Rokkones is a saxophonist from Tromsø who has released a number of albums spanning classical music, contemporary music, jazz and world music. As a classical soloist, he has worked with several renowned orchestras, such as the Mariinsky Symphony Orchestra (2019 and 2016), the Arctic Philharmonic (2020 and 2011), the Bergen Philharmonic Orchestra (2007) and El Perro Andaluz (2022 and 2019). He has commissioned and premiered over 30 works by Norwegian and international composers.
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