The Boysen bus: Vestfold

Sunday March 10, 13:00–18:00
Meeting point: Oslo Cathedral, 12:45

Price: 400 NOK

Tickets must be bought in advance.
Festival pass holders have to reserve a space on:
info@kirkemusikkfestivalen.no/22418115
NB! The tour will be held in Norwegian

Olav Rune Bastrup, microphone
Espen Melbø, organ
Anastasiya Bazhenova, piano

This time, the Boysen Bus goes to Vestfold to visit Tønsberg Cathedral and Horten Church, as 2024 marks 100 years since the organ in Tønsberg Cathedral was finished. It was built in 1924 by the Danish firm Frobenius, rebuilt and enlarged in 1955 by Jørgensens orgelfabrikk (Jørgensen’s organ factory), and once again rebuilt and completely refurbished in 2008 by Ryde & Berg Orgelbyggeri (Ryde & Berg organ builders). It is today one of the country’s biggest organs, and the first to have an echo division installed. On the way, there is time for a quick visit to Horten Church. The organ in Horten was built in 1914 by Olsen & Jørgensen, restored and enlarged to 18 ranks in 1958 by Jørgensen, and once again restored and enlarged to 28 ranks by the firm Karl Schuke in Berlin in 2014. Both organs favour a Romantic repertoire. Tønsberg’s cantor, Espen Melbø, performs music by Bach, Reger, and Widor, as well as Smetana’s symphonic poem Moldau, arranged for organ. The audience will also hear Rachmaninov’s Piano Concerto No. 3, performed together with Anastasiya Bazhenova on piano.

Photo: Espen Melbø: Studioline, Leipzig