Welcome to our interview series with musicians from the classical music scene. Today we have the pleasure of presenting Marie Lille Haugen! She is a flautist in the Royal Norwegian Navy Band. She shares her thoughts on classical music and recommends upcoming concerts for both new and experienced concertgoers!
Name, instrument and profession
Marie Lille Haugen, flautist in the Royal Norwegian Navy Band.
What are you working on at the moment?
Right now I am preparing the repertoire for the coming weeks with the Navy Band. In addition, my wind quintet is preparing for the semi-final of the Nordic Wind Competition, which is held in Oslo on 10-12 November as part of the Nordic Wind Festival.
Most overrated composer or piece?
That is a very difficult question to answer. We should probably get better in general at playing even more varied music and not just repeat the same pieces all the time. I generally try to keep a fairly open mind about all music, but if I have to name one work, Ravel’s Bolero is probably not the first thing I put on.
And at the other end… what music should everyone really get to experience?
Daphnis et Chloé by Maurice Ravel! Coincidentally written by the same composer as in the previous question, but I think this is one of the most beautiful works ever written, and one where the woodwinds, and the flautists in particular, really get to shine.
Your most recent great concert experience – what made it so special?
I was lucky enough to join KORK on tour to the Czech Republic before the summer, where we gave a concert of Arnold Schönberg’s masterpiece «Gurrelieder» in the Czech state opera in Prague. It was a great experience in several ways – with over 250 people on stage in all. An orchestra of 135 musicians from KORK and the Czech radio orchestra, 5 soloists, an actor and a choir of over 100. It is not something you experience every day.
Do you have any advice for “new listeners” who are curious about classical music and do not go to concerts very often?
Go to outdoor concerts, where the programme is usually very audience-friendly and easy for anyone and everyone to listen to. And do listen to the music beforehand, so you know what to expect when you come to the concert.
Any upcoming concerts you would recommend?
On 10 November the Navy Band plays a concert as part of the Nordic Wind Festival in Ridehuset in Oslo. There we will give the world premiere of Wolfgang Plagge’s tuba concerto with August Schieldrop as soloist, as well as a new arrangement of Mussorgsky’s Pictures at an Exhibition, conducted by Peter Szilvay. If you are in the Vestfold area, we also play the same concert in Sandefjord the evening before.
Otherwise I would catch as many concerts as possible during the festival, where many different wind ensembles, chamber music groups and soloists will play.
Finally – who would you like to challenge to take over the baton?
Åsmund Moen (percussionist with Arktisk filharmoni)
Photo:Cecilie Welde
