CONCERT VENUES
Symphony Space on Broadway & 95th Street
Fort Tryon Park in Northern Manhattan
Victor Borge Hall in Scandinavia House at 58 Park Avenue
Trinity Church at Wall Street & Broadway
2023 Concert Season
CONCERT IN SYMPHONY SPACE
New York Scandia Symphony
“Under Northern Lights” Concerts
Starr Theater, Alice Tully Hall
Thursday, April 13, 2023 at 8:00pm
New York Scandia Symphony (Scandia) presented a program of seldom heard Scandinavian masterpieces, including Helios Overture and An Imaginary Journey to the Faroe Islands by Carl Nielsen, Concertino for two Horns and Orchestra by Friedrich Kuhlau, At the Castle Gate and Karelia Suite by Jean Sibelius and Swedish Rhapsody No. 1 – Midsommarvaka by Hugo Alfvén.
This concert was performed by 50 musicians, selected among the finest in New York City, soloists Peter Reit and Will de Vos and Scandia’s Music Director and Conductor, Dorrit Matson.
2021 Concert Season
CONCERT IN SYMPHONY SPACE
“Under Northern Lights” Concerts Series
Symphony Space - 2537 Broadway at 95th Street, New York
APRIL 16th, 2021 at 8:00 PM
NEW YORK SCANDIA SYMPHONY
Dorrit Matson, Conductor
Stephanie Chase, Violinist
PROGRAM DESCRIPTION
New York Scandia Symphony will perform the beautiful masterworks by Emil Hartman, Carl Nielsen and Hugo Alfven in a Concert at Symphony Space on October 28th, 2021 at 8:00 PM.
New York Scandia Symphony has served the communities of New York City with innovative and creative programs of Scandinavian music for the past 33 years, sharing the musical treasures and cultural heritage of Scandinavia with American audiences.
The concert will feature 50 of New York City’s finest musicians and Violinist Stephanie Chase in a performance of Emil Hartmann’s Violin Concerto, Helios Overture and Symphonic Rhapsody by Carl Nielsen and Midsommervaka (Swedish Rhapsody no. 1) by Hugo Alfven. The concert will be conducted by Scandia’s Music Director, Dorrit Matson.
2019 Concert Season
CONCERT IN SYMPHONY SPACE
Symphony Space - 2537 Broadway at 95th Street, New York
APRIL 11th, 2019 at 8:00 PM
NEW YORK SCANDIA SYMPHONY
Dorrit Matson, Conductor
“Under Northern Lights” Concert Series
PROGRAM DESCRIPTION
NEW YORK SCANDIA SYMPHONY FEATURES WORKS BY CARL NIELSEN AND BERNHARD CRUSELL IN CONCERT AT SYMPHONY SPACE ON APRIL 11th, 2019, 8:00 PM.
New York Scandia Symphony has served the communities of New York City with innovative and creative programs of Scandinavian music for the past 30 years, sharing the musical treasures and cultural heritage of Scandinavia with American audiences. Music Director and Conductor, Dorrit Matson led the orchestra in a program titled “Under Northern Lights” and celebrating Danish National composer Carl Nielsen (1865-1931) and Finnish-Swedish composer Bernhard Crusell (1775-1838).
The concert featured 50 of New York City’s finest musicians and Clarinetist Steven Hartman in a performance of “Symphony no. 5” and the “Overture to Maskarade” by Carl Nielsen and “Clarinet Concerto Opus 5” by Bernhard Crusell.
2017 Concert Season
The Danish Golden Age
200th Anniversary Concert for Niels W. Gade
Symphony Space - 2537 Broadway at 95th Street, New York
May 4th, 2017
New York Scandia Symphony has served the communities of New York City with innovative and creative programs of Scandinavian music for the past 28 years, sharing the musical treasures and cultural heritage of Scandinavia with American audiences. Music Director and Conductor Dorrit Matson led the orchestra in a program titled “The Danish Golden Age” celebrating Danish composer Niels W. Gade in this 200th Anniversary year of his birth in 1817
The concert featured 50 of New York City’s finest musicians and Violinist Stephanie Chase in a performance of some of the most extraordinary music created during this very unique chapter in Danish cultural history: The “Echoes of Ossian” Overture, “Symphony No. 2” and the “Violin Concerto” Opus 56 by Niels W. Gade.
Niels W. Gade (1817–1890) participated in the development of Musikforeningen (the Music Society) which had been founded in 1836 with the purpose of extending and improving the understanding of classical music. He became its conductor in 1850, and under his management a number of masterpieces of choral music were given their first performance in Denmark, among them Bach’s St. Matthew Passion in 1875.[21] At the conservatory in Copenhagen, Gade helped teach future generations, including Edvard Grieg and Carl Nielsen. In the spirit of Romantic nationalism, he composed eight symphonies, a violin concerto, chamber music, organ and piano pieces and a number of large-scale cantatas, among them Elverskud, the most famous Danish work of its time.
2015 / 2016 Concert
Nielsen & Sibelius 150th Anniversary Concert
Peter Jay Sharp Theatre
Symphony Space - 2537 Broadway at 95th Street, New York
April 9th, 2015
Our concert in Symphony Space titled “150th Anniversary Concert” on April 9th, 2015 celebrated the music of Carl Nielsen and Jean Sibelius, both born in 1865. Lisa Hansen was soloist in the “Flute Concerto” by Carl Nielsen, which followed the “Overture” to “Maskarade”. Jean Sibelius was honored with a performance of “Karelia”, “Finlandia” and “At the Castle Gate” from “Peleas & Melisande”.
Mosa Concert Series
Church of Our Saviour of Atonement - 178 Bennett Avenue, New York, NY October 15th, 2015
Featured US Premiere
“The Eagles at Inwood Hill Park” by Frank Foerster
Featured Soloists
Lisa Hansen in the Flute Concerto by Johan Helmich Roman; Frank Foerster in his own composition “Suite of Scandinavian Folk Melodies”
Other Featured Works
Carl Nielsen, “Little Suite”, Opus 1; Niels V. Gade, “Novelettes”, Opus 58
Scandia Symphony features its string orchestra and signature Scandinavian repertoire indoors for the opening of the 2015-16 Concert Season at The Church of Our Saviour of the Atonement MOSA Series on October 18 at 5 pm.
The free concert, conducted by Scandia Symphony music director Dorrit Matson, will feature the New York Premiere of The Eagles of Inwood Hill by Frank Foerster, Composer and Principal Violist of the Scandia Symphony. Foerster will also be the soloist in his own composition, Suite of Scandinavian Folk Melodies. Principal flutist Lisa Hansen will be featured as soloist in the Flute Concerto by Swedish Baroque composer Johan Helmich Roman. The concert will also present Carl Nielsen’s Little Suite, Opus 1 and Niels W. Gade’s Novellettes.
2014 Season
Sounds of Scandinavia
Leonard Nimoy Thalia Theatre Symphony Space - 2537 Broadway at 95th Street, NY, NY June 5, 2014
Our first concert in Symphony Space featured the work of 3 contemporary composers:
The US Premiere of “Concertino for Trumpet and Strings” by Danish composer Jesper Nordin, a composition commissioned by the Scandia Symphony. The concert also presented Danish Trumpet virtuoso, Nikolaj Viltoft as soloist.
“Suite of Scandinavian Folk Melodies” by our resident composer Frank Foerster, also performing the viola solo part in his own composition.
Another US Premiere of “Arctic Snows” by American composer Andrew Ackers.
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2023
Scandinavian Music Festival 2023
New York Scandia Symphony
“The Scandinavian Music Festival”
Fort Tryon Park
Enter Fort Tryon Park at 193rd Street Entrance.
Turn left to Billings Lawn. Bring your blanket. Free admission.
The Scandinavian Music Festival 2023 in Fort Tryon Park, now in its 19th season, is a unique series of three outdoor summer concerts performed by musicians of the Scandia Symphony and guest artists on Sundays in June. The concerts take place in a scenic and attractive venue, on Billings Lawn, below the Heather Gardens and with spectacular views of Hudson River. Musicians of the Scandia Symphony will present the musical treasures and cultural heritage of Scandinavia to the audiences.
Programs:
June 4th, 2023 at 2:00 PM: The Scandia Brass Quintet will perform their popular repertoire of contemporary and traditional compositions, folk tunes and arrangements, representing music from each of the five Scandinavian countries, including five national anthems.
June 9th, 2023 at 6:00 PM: In a “SUNSET CONCERT” The Scandia String Quartet will perform works by Wilhelm Stenhammer, Edvard Grieg, Jean Sibelius and Carl Nielsen, introducing the grand and virtuosic string quartets by Scandinavian composers.
June 11th, 2023 at 2:00 PM: The Scandia String Orchestra will perform a US Premiere of “Pastoral Impressions” for solo violin and Strings, a piece commissioned from Danish composer Nikolaj Hess. A popular piece by Scandia’s residence composer, Frank Foerster, “Summer in Fort Tryon Park” is also scheduled on this program. Danish composer Carl Nielsen is featured with two of his compositions for string orchestra, “Little Suite” and “Bohemian Danish Folksong Paraphrase”. A Baroque suite “Sinfonia” by Swedish composer Johan Helmich Roman will conclude the program.
Mayuki Fukuhara, Violin
Dorrit Matson, Conductor
2022
Scandinavian Music Festival 2022
Fort Tryon Park - Billings Lawn
Enter at 193rd Street Entrance (Corbin Circle).
Turn left to Billings Lawn.
Bring your blanket. Free admission.
Sundays June 5th June 12th and 19th at 2:00 PM.
The Scandinavian Music Festival in Fort Tryon Park, now in its 18th season, is a unique series of three outdoor summer concerts performed by musicians of the Scandia Symphony and guest artists on Sundays in June. The concerts take place in a scenic and attractive venue, on Billings Lawn, below the Heather Gardens and with spectacular views of Hudson River. Musicians of the Scandia Symphony will perform their special repertoire and introduce our musical and cultural Scandinavian heritage to the audiences.
PROGRAMS:
June 5th, 2022 at 2:00 PM: The Scandia Brass Quintet will perform their popular repertoire of contemporary and traditional compositions, folk tunes and arrangements, representing music from each of the five Scandinavian countries, including five national anthems.
June 12th, 2022 at 2:00 PM: The Scandia String Orchestra will perform works by Johan Helmich Roman, Edvard Grieg, Poul Schierbech and Asger Hamerik.
Mayuki Fukuhara, Soloist
Dorrit Matson, Music Director/Conductor
June 19th, 2022 at 2:00 PM: The Scandia String Quartet will perform a selection of grand and virtuosic string quartets by major composers, representing each of the Scandinavian countries.
Enter at 193rd Street Entrance. Turn left to Billings Lawn. Bring your blanket. Free admission.
2021
Scandinavian Music Festival 2021
Fort Tryon Park - Billings Lawn
Enter at 193rd Street Entrance (Corbin Circle).
Turn left to Billings Lawn.
Bring your blanket. Free admission.
Sundays May 30th, June 6th and June 13th at 2:00 PM.
The Scandinavian Music Festival in Fort Tryon Park, now in its 17th season, is a unique series of three outdoor summer concerts performed by musicians of the Scandia Symphony and guest artists on Sundays in June. The concerts take place in a scenic and attractive venue, on Billings Lawn, below the Heather Garden and with spectacular views of the Hudson River. The artists speak to the audience as they introduce musical characteristics and history of the music and the culture and traditions of Scandinavia.
PROGRAMS:
May 30th, 2021 at 2:00 PM: The Scandia String Quartet and Flutist Lisa Hansen will present an innovative program featuring “Quintet in A Major” by Friedrich Kuhlau, “String Quartet in G Major” by Edward Grieg, “Three Traditional Finnish Folk Dances” by Frank Foerster and “Song about Em” by Emmy Lindstrom.
June 6th, 2020 at 2:00 PM: The Scandia Brass Quintet will present their popular repertoire of contemporary and traditional compositions and arrangements, representing music from each of the five Scandinavian countries, including five national anthems.
June 13th, 2021 at 2:00 PM: Scandia Strings. The Scandia String Orchestra will perform works by Gunnar de Frumerie, Lars-Erik Larsson, Frank Foerster, Bernhard Crusell, Christian Sinding.
Soloists: Lisa Hansen, Flute, Elizabeth Miller, Violin, Steven Hartman, Clarinet.
Music Director/Conductor: Dorrit Matson
2021
Scandia String Quartet and Flutist Lisa Hansen
Virtural Concert Saturday February 20th, 2021 at 4:00 PM ET.
Join us for a special event and explore this beautiful music of Scandinavia. Scandia’s first virtual concert will live stream on Saturday February 20th at 4:00 PM ET. The concert will feature the Scandia String Quartet and Flutist Lisa Hansen in a performance of works by Edvard Grieg, Friedrich Kuhlau and Frank Foerster.
Go to: www.facebook.com/musicperformancetrustfund/live.
Direct link to log on will appear at the time the concert starts.
2020
Scandinavian Music Festival 2020
Fort Tryon Park - Billings Lawn
Enter at 193rd Street Entrance (Corbin Circle).
Turn left to Billings Lawn.
Bring your blanket. Free admission.
Sundays June 7th, 14th and 21st at 2:00 PM.
The Scandinavian Music Festival in Fort Tryon Park, now in its 15th season, is a unique series of three outdoor summer concerts performed by musicians of the Scandia Symphony and guest artists on Sundays in June. The concerts take place in a scenic and attractive venue, on Billings Lawn, below the Heather Garden and with spectacular views of the Hudson River. The artists speak to the audience as they introduce musical characteristics and history of the music and the culture and traditions of Scandinavia.
PROGRAMS:
June 7th, 2020 at 2:00 PM: The Scandia String Quartet will perform string quartets by Edward Grieg and Carl Nielsen.
June 14th, 2020 at 2:00 PM: The Scandia Brass Quintet will present their popular repertoire of contemporary and traditional compositions and arrangements, representing music from each of the five Scandinavian countries, including five national anthems.
June 21st, 2020 at 2:00 PM: Scandia Strings. The Scandia String Orchestra will perform works by Jean Sibelius, Lars-Erik Larsson and Niels W. Gade. Soloist: Mayuki Fukuhara.
Music Director/Conductor: Dorrit Matson
2019 Scandinavian Music Festival
Scandinavian Music Festival 2019
Fort Tryon Park - Billings Lawn
Enter at 193rd Street Entrance (Corbin Circle). Turn left to Billings Lawn.
Bring your blanket. Free admission.
Sundays June 2nd, 9th and 16th at 2:00 PM.
The Scandinavian Music Festival in Fort Tryon Park, now in its 14th season, is a unique series of three outdoor summer concerts performed by musicians of the Scandia Symphony and guest artists on Sundays in June. The concerts took place in a scenic and attractive venue, on Billings Lawn, below the Heather Garden and with spectacular views of the Hudson River. The artists spoke to the audience as they introduced musical characteristics and history of the music and the culture and traditions of Scandinavia.
PROGRAMS:
June 2nd, 2019 at 2:00 PM: The Scandia String Quartet was joined by flutist Lisa Hansen for a performance of the Quintet in A Major by Friedrich Kuhlau. Other composers featured on this program were Lars-Erik Larsson, Jean Sibelius, Edward Grieg and Frank Foerster.
June 9th, 2019 at 2:00 PM: The Scandia Brass Quintet performed their popular repertoire of contemporary and traditional compositions and arrangements, representing music from each of the five Scandinavian countries, including five national anthems.
June 16th, 2019 at 2:00 PM: Scandia Strings. The String Orchestra performed works by Frank Foerster, Johan Helmich Roman and Asger Hamerik. Soloist: Frank Foerster, Viola.
Music Director/Conductor: Dorrit Matson
2018 Summer Concert Series
Scandinavian Music Festival
Fort Tryon Park
SCANDINAVIAN MUSIC FESTIVAL on Billings Lawn in Fort Tryon Park
Sundays in June at 2:00 pm
In its 13th season, the Scandinavian Music Festival is a unique series of three outdoor summer concerts performed by musicians of the Scandia Symphony and guest artists on Sundays in June. The concerts took place in a scenic and attractive venue, on Billings Lawn, below the Heather Gardens and with spectacular views of Hudson River. The artists spoke to the audience as they introduced musical characteristics and history of the music and the culture and traditions of Scandinavia.
June 10th, 2018 at 2:00 PM: The Scandia Brass Quintet performed their popular repertoire of contemporary and traditional compositions and arrangements, representing music from each of the five Scandinavian countries, including five national anthems.
June 17th, 2018 at 2:00 PM: “The Tinderbox”. In this special program, created to captivate the imagination of children and the young at heart, our Scandia Ensemble and Narrator Sandra Billingslea took participants on a musical journey in which they actively engaged, learning and interacting with the artists. Text by Hans Christian Andersen and music by Poul Schierbeck and Frank Foerster.
June 24th, 2018 at 2:00 PM: Scandia Strings The String Orchestra performed works by Frank Foerster, Jean Sibelius, Johan Helmich Roman, and Knudage Riisager. Soloist: Mayuki Fukuhara, Violin. Lisa Hansen, Flute
Music Director/Conductor: Dorrit Matson
Previous Years
2023
Children's Concert Series - 2023
New York Scandia Symphony Presents
Children’s Educational Music Program
“The Emperor’s New Clothes”
Bennett Park
FORT WASHINGTON AVENUE
AT 184TH STREET
A TRAIN TO 181ST ST. OR M4 BUS
SATURDAY, JUNE 3 at 2:00 PM
This classic and well-known Hans Christian Andersen fairy tale features a comic look at human nature. A king is overawed with his own appearance, and his court is full of nobles who affirm everything he believes. In the end, the truth is revealed by the innocence of a child.
Alyssa Reit, Harp
Ric Becker, Trombone
Una Claney, Narrator
2022
Children's Concert Series - 2022
CHILDREN’S EDUCATIONAL MUSIC PROGRAMS
Saturday June 4th at 2:00 PM:
Join our musicians for an enjoyable and fun music program in Bennett Park, performed by the Scandia String Quartet and Trumpet. Participate in fairy tales from around the world with live music and narration. Meet the delightful Moomin Trolls and join their adventures in the Scandinavian Wilderness.
Saturday June 11th at 2:00 PM:
Experience Hans Christian Andersen’s magic fairy tale THE NIGHTINGALE and learn about the Harp and Flute during this delightful music program. Musical arrangement for Narrator, Harp and Flute by Alyssa Reit.
2021
Children's Concert Series - 2021
CHILDREN’S EDUCATIONAL MUSIC PROGRAMS
May 29th, 2021 at 3:00 PM:
This program features Hans Christian Andersen’s famous fairy tale “The Ugly Duckling”. Children will be engaged during the performance and enjoy a lively narration and musical accompaniment by Harpist Alyssa Reit.
June 5th, 2021 at 3:00 PM:
Join our musicians for an inspiring program of music in Bennett Park, performed by the Scandia String Quartet and Trumpet, engaging our young audiences in learning and participating in musical activities.
Experience the magic and beauty of Hans Christian Andersen’s fairy tale “The Princess and the Pea” as well as the famous story of “Cindarella”. Both fairy tales will be presented with narration and accompanied by live music arranged by Frank Foerster.
Children will meet the two princesses and will be actively involved in singing, dancing and trying out various instruments during and after the program.
2020
Children's Concert Series - 2020
CHILDREN’S EDUCATIONAL MUSIC PROGRAMS
Saturday June 16th at 2:00 PM
Location: Bennett Park, Fort Washington Avenue at 184th Street
Join our musicians for an inspiring program of music in Bennett Park, performed by musicians of the Scandia Symphony and engaging our young audiences in learning and participating in musical activities.
Experience the magic and beauty of Hans Christian Andersen’s fairy tale “The Princess and the Pea”, narrated by Sandra Billingslea and accompanied by live music arranged by Frank Foerster.
Meet the princess and the prince while being actively involved in singing, dancing and trying out various instruments.
2019
Children's Concert Series - 2019
CHILDREN’S EDUCATIONAL MUSIC PROGRAMS
Saturdays June 8th and 15th at 2:00 PM
Location: Anne Loftus Playground Broadway & Dyckman Street
The program content:
JUNE 8th at 2pm.
“Fit as a Troll” – based on Michelle Obama’s “Let’s Move” program.
“AS FIT AS A TROLL”, was designed to teach children about healthy eating habits and exercise. The humorous script, by Scandia Symphony’s FRANK FOERSTER was inspired by Michelle Obama’s “LET’S MOVE” program. It involves a junk food loving troll from Norway, his pet dinosaur, Bronto, and a fairy godmother carrying a magic picnic basket with healthy fruits and vegetables and introducing some cool moves to stay fit and in shape.
JUNE 15th at 2pm
“What Papa does is Always Right” based on Hans Christian Andersen’s fairy tale.
HANS CHRISTIAN ANDERSEN’S fairy tale “PAPA IS ALWAYS RIGHT”. Puppets and stuffed animals provide visual entertainment, illustrating the narration by SANDRA BILLINGSLEA – and there was surprise troll activities at the end of the show.
HANS CHRISTIAN ANDERSEN’S fairy tale “PAPA IS ALWAYS RIGHT”. Puppets and stuffed animals provide visual entertainment, illustrating the narration by SANDRA BILLINGSLEA – and there was surprise troll activities at the end of the show.
Musicians of the Scandia Symphony performed live at both performances and our young audiences learned about the musical instruments. Children actively engaged during the programs and had the opportunity to participate in exercises and try out some simple musical instruments at the end of the programs.
2018
Children's Concert Series - 2018
EXPERIENCE THE MUSIC AND LITERATURE OF SCANDINAVIA
Join us for a spirited and entertaining music program in Inwood Hill Park (near Emerson Playground) on Saturday June 16th at 2:00-3:30 PM. Children of all ages and the young at heart will enjoy both narration and musical illustration of fairy tales by Hans Christian Andersen. Children will be interacting with our musicians and fairy tale characters, learning about musical instruments and participating in singing, dancing or other physical activity associated with the topic and featured story. Our Scandia Ensemble will accompany the narration, performing music by Frank Foerster and Poul Schierbeck. Admission is free.
Sandra Billingslea, Narrator
Frank Foerster, Composer
Dorrit Matson, Music Director
Hans Christian Andersen fairy tale characters:
2017
Children's Concert Series - 2017
Join our musicians for the Magic of Musical Instruments, based on Hans Christian Andersen Fairy Tales.
We are presenting two special children’s concerts, perfect for music lovers of all ages, at the Inwood Hill Park Peninsula (218th Street & Indian Road).
Tuesday, June 13, 2017
6:00 p.m.
The Nightingale
Learn about the harp and the flute and experience the magic and beauty of fairy tale music
Tuesday, June 20, 2017
6:00 p.m.
The Tinderbox
Meet the three dogs, the witch and the soldier.
Learn about the string instruments and the trumpet.
Try out the drums.
2016
Children’s Educational Music Programs take place in Inwood Hill Park and at Anne Loftus Playground at the Northern end of Fort Tryon Park. These free cultural events reflect Scandia’s special interest in youth education and as well as our desire to revitalize the community.
Children are involved and actively participating and learning during the programs, which are presented by Scandia’s musicians and guest artists, usually involving 4-10 artists per event. Titles and subjects of our programs vary from stories such as: ”The Troll and the Dinosaur”, featured in a fairy tale of the Norwegians mountains – or in a journey through New York City in “Fit as a Troll”, a program focusing on healthy eating and exercise – to narration and musical illustration of Hans Christian Andersen fairy tales (The Nightingale, The Ugly Duckling, The Emperor’s New Clothes, The Tinderbox and What Papa does is always right), as well as programs demonstrating and teaching the children about music instruments. Our young participants are interacting with musicians and fairy tale characters, introduced to musical elements (sound, character, volume, and tempo) and engaged in songs and dances associated with the topic or featured story.
Previous Years
