Swedish-Norwegian violinist Johan Dalene grabbed the world’s attention when he won the prestigious Carl Nielsen International Competition in 2019, and he has just been named Artist-in-Residence with London’s Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, where he will perform concertos by Prokofiev, Tchaikovsky, and Nielsen in their 2025 season. Now, this charismatic performer makes his Australian debut alongside the much-loved pianist Jennifer Marten-Smith.
Dalene presents a program imbued with romance and virtuosity. Ravel’s Tzigane dazzles with Romani fire and Hungarian rhythms, while Beethoven’s Sonata No. 8 explodes with joy. Grieg’s Sonata No. 2 battles a Nordic chill through Norwegian folk dances, Tchaikovsky’s Souvenir d’un lieu cher aches with nostalgia, and Lili Boulanger’s D'un matin de printemps brims with quiet resilience. Rautavaara’s Notturno conjures a vast, wintry landscape, and Musica Viva Australia is proud to present the world premiere of a new work by Jack Frerer, commissioned for Dalene and Marten-Smith.