Exhibitions

Richard Wagner's works in historical recordings – summer exhibition 2008

This summer, the Norwegian Institute of Recorded Sound, shows an exhibition of historical 78- and LP-recordings of Richard Wagner’s works.

This year, it is 150 years since Wagner had to move from his asylum at the Wesendonck family in Zürich. The Wesendonck-lieder and the opera Tristan und Isolde which was performed in Stavanger earlier this year therefore form a large part of the exhibition. Furthermore, all the Wagner operas are represented, even the early Die Feen and Das Liebesverbot. From our waults, a lot of Wagner 78-records have been brought up for this occasion.

78’s have short playing time. A Wagner opera with duration of about 4-5 hours had to be split unto many record sides, and there were not many complete recordings of Wagner operas until the long playing record became the standard in the 1950’s. The Norwegian Institute of Recorded Sound is therefore proud to own a 1936 recording of Tristan, made over 52 sides with Kirsten Flagstad as Isolde.

The leitmotives in the orchestral parts are important for the understanding of Wagner’s music. Because of this, the 78’s shown in the exhibition are mostly orchestral excerpts, recorded as long back as the 1920’s. Among the treasures are recordings with Richard Wagners son Siegfried Wagner as conductor, made before his death in 1930. The Norwegian singer Ivar F. Andresen is also represented as well as numerous conductors such as Wilhelm Furtwängler, Arturo Toscanini and other leading Wagner interpreters.

All Wagnerians and the general musically interested public will enjoy this exhibition which is shown (and can be listened to) in the premises of the Norwegian Institute of Recorded Sound, Bjergsted terrasse 5a, 4007 STAVANGER. Phone: 51 83 40 60

The exhibition which is compiled by Dag Trygve Henriksen is further mentioned at Aftenbladet and at the NRK website (in Norwegian only)

Opening hours: Monday-Friday kl. 0800-1630.
The exhibition is shown in July and August 2008.

Peer Gynt's Many Faces

The Norwegian Institute of Recorded Sound has made an exhibition of all LP covers from recordings of the Peer Gynt music of Edvard Grieg which is housed at the institute. In the Ibsen Centennial 2006, the exhibitions was sent on tour to Japan by the during Stavanger Symphony Orchestra's visit to the country. Furthermore it has been shown in Brazil by the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs; in Curbita and then in Teresopolis and Petropolis in Rio de Janeiro,

In the Grieg Centennial 2007, the Norwegian Embassy of Brazil in Brazilia will make use of the exhibition during the whole year. It will be shown in Brazilia, Rio de Janeiro Niteroi and Sao Paolo.

In Norway, the exhibition has been shown in Stavanger, Bergen, Narvik, og Brønnøysund. In 2007, the exhibition will be shown in Hammerfest, Alta, Tana and Sør-Varanger under the auspices of Finmark regional library, as well as during the Bergen International Festival and Arendal Grieg Festival.

The exhibition consists of 5 banners showing 32 of the covers, some puzzles for the visitors, brochures as well as a powerpoint-presentation containing 146 of the covers. You can look at theese covers here (NB: large file: 56,92 MB)

At the momemt, there are 2 separat exhibions touring Norway. Feel free to contact us if you are interested to have the exhibiton in your institution.

The Exhibition is compiled by Per Dahl

The project has received funding from the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, IFPI, the Norwegian Institute of Recorded Sound and Stavanger Concert Hall.

Recent exhibitions

The Recorded Legacy of Christmas Music

Listen to Bing Crosby's "White Christmas", "The Holy City" by Steven Adams or Christmas Carols from around the world and get into the mood of Christmas!

This year, The Norwegian Institute of Recorded Sound is exhibiting more than 400 records of Christmas Music. In format, they span from old shellac records (78's and Pathe's) over EP's to LP's.

The repertoir is wide, spanning from tradional carols to great classical masterpieces written for christmas as well as well as a cross section of popular christmas records which revives old memories. The Oratorio "Messiah" by Händel which is frequently performed during the Advent is represented by 32 different complete recordings. From this oratorio, an old 78-record is shown, where the soprano Perceval Allen performs "I know that my Redeemer liveth" in a take from 1907-08.

Among the other higlights, you find a Pathé-record of "Deilig er jorden", performed by the Danish Royal Castle Church Choir in Copenhagen recorded by the time of World War One, furthermore music from "The Nutcracker" by Tchaikovsky with the Tivoli Orchestra, also from Copenhagen. Benjamin Brittens "A Ceremony of Carols" is represented by several recordings. In the popular genre you will find Arne Bendiksens's song "Cowboynissen" (The Cowboy Santa).

The records are shown in the premises of The Norwegian Institute of Recorded Sound where you can listen to them as well.

The Exhibition is compiled by Dag Trygve Henriksen

Read news story (in Norwegian only) in Stavanger Aftenblad

Fartein Valen exhibition

Tandberg exhibition

 

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©Norwegian Institute of Recorded Sound 2005