The Faroe Islands Symphony Orchestra’s Spring Concert

Faroese Soloist and Composer at the Spring Concert of the Faroe Islands Symphony Orchestra

Following a New Year’s concert featuring Faroese soloists, the Faroe Islands Symphony Orchestra continues its collaboration with local artists. At the spring concert, pianist Aksel Remmel will perform Piano Concerto No. 2 by Sergei Rachmaninov, followed by works by the composer Eli Tausen á Lava.

Eli Tausen á Lava is active as a composer, pianist, and electronic musician. With a master’s degree in composition from New York University, Eli has in recent years collaborated with the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra, Helsingborg Symphony Orchestra, The Rhythm Method, Aldubáran, and now also the Faroe Islands Symphony Orchestra.

His orchestral work let me cry was a major breakthrough for Eli. It premiered in 2024 at Nordic Music Days in Scotland, attracting considerable attention, and has since been programmed by several European orchestras.

Aksel Remmel is a pianist who completed a master’s degree at the Royal Danish Conservatory in Copenhagen in 2025 under Professor Jens Elvekjær. Aksel won the Stella Polaris competition for young classical musicians in 2021 and has previously performed with the Faroe Islands Symphony Orchestra. At this spring concert, Aksel will perform a full piano concerto with a symphony orchestra for the first time.

Rachmaninov composed Piano Concerto No. 2 between 1900 and 1901. After a disastrous premiere in which Rachmaninov himself played the piano, the concerto subsequently became one of his most frequently performed works.

Tchaikovsky: Symphony No. 4

Tchaikovsky’s 4th Symphony was composed between 1877–1878. The work revolves around the concept of fate (Latin: fatum), and is therefore also known as the Symphony of Fate. It was written while Tchaikovsky was going through a deep personal crisis, reflected in the passionate and dramatic music.

Although initially met with mixed reactions, today it is considered one of Tchaikovsky’s most significant works and is performed worldwide.

Catherine Larsen-Maguire

Catherine Larsen-Maguire was born in Manchester and has lived in Berlin for the past 30 years. She studied music at Cambridge University, in Hanover, and at the Karajan Academy in Berlin.

After ten years as principal bassoonist at the Komische Oper Berlin, Catherine decided in 2012 to pursue her dream of conducting. Since then, she has conducted renowned orchestras including the London Philharmonic, BBC National Orchestra of Wales, Berlin Radio Symphony Orchestra, Orchestre du Capitole de Toulouse, and the Hong Kong Sinfonietta.

With a strong commitment to educating young musicians, she has taught and conducted youth orchestras around the world and served as a guest professor at the Universität der Künste in Berlin.

The Faroe Islands Symphony Orchestra has signed a four-year collaboration agreement with Catherine.

Conductor: Catherine Larsen-Maguire (UK)
Soloist: Aksel Remmel (FO)
Date & Time: Saturday, March 15 at 4:00 PM
Venue: Varpið
Tickets: 365 DKK, students 250 DKK

Pre-talk

A short pre-talk will be held at 3:20 PM.

The conductor and composer will discuss the works to be performed, and who knows — there may even be some funny stories shared! 🎶