Blog Entry 19th of March 2009
Between Gloppen and Bergen

I am on my way from a little place in Norway called Gloppen to Bergen. The occasion? I am on a tour with the Norwegian Chamber Orchestra. The AMAZING Norwegian Chamber Orchestra. Not only are they extremely good, they are also extremely nice, and I am really enjoying myself whether we’re playing or spending time on the road in the bus.

We started this little tour in Oslo on Sunday, continued in Ålesund on Monday, Ullsteinvik on Tuesday, Gloppen yesterday and Bergen today. Our last concert will be in Bærum on Saturday. The program is Haydn trumpet concerto (and a little piazzolla tango called Oblivion as an encore (if the audience wants to of course…), which really is one of my favourite pieces). The conductor and really inspirational leader is Arvid Engegård, and we are having a lot of fun in the concerts. The atmosphere is electric and I am really looking forward to tonight.

As I told you I am on the bus, and for those of you who have been travelling a lot on the west coast of Norway you know what I mean when I say that the roads are not exactly straightforward… All the mountains ☺And I don’t want to get sick while I am writing this, so I think I will take a little break and be back when we are more like standing still. Maybe on the ferry?

Here you se me on one of the many ferries. It was quite some wind!

I am back, not exactly on the ferry, but at my hotel room in Bergen. The concert tonight was amazing! It was such a great experience, and I just have to thank everyone I met while signing CDs afterwards. Everyone I met at signing CDs at all the concerts really, one of the greatest things about being me is being able to meet all of you. Thank you ☺

It has been some great five days, with five concerts, bus driving, ferries, hotel rooms (and one suite, I will never forget that huge room (or should I say living room, bed room, 2 bath rooms)!!!), great music, great audience and lovely nature!
Tomorrow we go back to Oslo and then we play the last concert on Saturday.

You will hear from me soon ☺
Tine

Goodbye Hanoi

Blog Entry 2nd of March 2009
Hanoi

I did manage to cross the streets. You just have to walk slowly, and the cars and motorbikes will drive either in front or back of you. Your nerves just has to be in the right place, that’s all…
My stay here in Hanoi has been full of new experiences. Like I told you in my previous blog entry this is a project between Norway and Vietnam, and I must say it has been a joy to be a part of it. Especially to meet all the musicians and the conductor Pierre André Valade, and perform two wonderful concerts together. Haydn always is a joy to play, and the audience here in Hanoi was also very nice ☺

I am at the airport now, in Frankfurt, and there is still three more hours before my flight to Oslo. The flight from Hanoi to Frankfurt was 11 hours and 40 minutes, it is quite some time… I tried to sleep, but I have the feeling this is going to be a long day. The time in Hanoi was 23:45 when our flight left, and after almost 12 hours it is now 8 :00 in Frankfurt. I am so much looking forward to the rest of my day with rehearsing and everything and only three hours sleep this night ☺ Well, in a couple of days I will be alright again.

You will hear more from me in a couple of days time. On Friday I am going to Bergen on a movie premiere, you will of course get a detailed report…

So long,
Tine