Gävle Symphony Orchestra plays Bach, Schubert and Meyer in Edsbyn, Söderhamn and Järvso

On September 6, 7 and 8, the Gävle Symphony Orchestra will perform in Edsbyn, Söderhamn and Järvso. The program includes Schubert’s Third Symphony, Emilie Meyer’s Overture and the unmistakable major number – Johann Sebastian Bach’s Suite in 2nd Class. The suite is a masterpiece of Baroque music, known above all for the last movement – ​​Badinerie, which many may remember from the radio program “Svar idag”, and is one of the true highlights of Baroque. The featured flute melody here is played by the solo flutist of the Gavels Symphony Orchestra – Julia Crowell. The concert was conducted by Finnish Orchestra conductor Maria Itkonen.

Maria Itkonen is a leader
Julia Crowell Flute
Gävle Symphony Orchestra

E. MAYER Overture No. 2 in D major
JS BACH Suite in B minor
F. Schubert Symphony No. 3 in D major

Wednesday 6 September
The Mission House, Edsbin 19.00

Thursday 7 September
Söderhamn Theater 19.00

Friday 8 September
Järvoso Church 19.00

Johann Sebastian Bach’s Suite in B Minor, BWV 1067, is a masterpiece of Baroque music made famous by its “Badinerie” section. Originally composed for flute and string orchestra, the work is in seven movements and displays a wide range of musical styles and moods, from the majestic introduction to the lively, rhythmic finale. Bach’s B Minor Suite is a wonderful display of contrasting and decorative Baroque style.

Julia Crowell was born in Great Britain and is a flutist soloist with the Gävle Symphony Orchestra. A versatile and flexible musician, she previously held positions as flutist and piccolo flute player with the Swedish Radio Symphony Orchestra and the Bergen Philharmonic Orchestra.
As a Fellow of the Royal College of Music in London, Julia studied flute with Jamie Martin, Susan Millan, and Simon Channing, piccolo with Stuart McIlham, and Baroque flute with Rachel Brown. During her time at the College of Music she won the McKenna Baroque Prize, the Richard III Baroque Chamber Music Prize as well as scholarships from the Countess of Munster Musical Trust and the EMI Sound Foundation. In 2007, Julia participated in the London Symphony Academy of Wind Instruments.
As a guest, Julia played with A.I. Academy of St Martin in the Fields, European Chamber Orchestra, English National Opera, London Philharmonic Orchestra, Oslo Philharmonic Orchestra, Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, and World Orchestra for Peace.
Julia has taught at the Gregg Academy of Music in Bergen, the Royal Northern College of Music in Manchester, and was flute instructor for the National Youth Orchestra of Great Britain.

The young and multi-talented Maria Itkonen conducts symphony orchestras, contemporary ensembles and operas. She has performed with the Swedish Radio Symphony Orchestra, Tampere Philharmonic Orchestra, and Turku Philharmonic Orchestra, among others.
In the fall of 2022, she made her operatic debut with Folcuberán’s production of Norma.
Itkonen was born in Jutsino, Finland and began her musical studies at the age of six. She has studied violin at the Sibelius Academy, the Universität für Musik und darstellende Kunst Wien and the Amsterdam Conservatory, and conducted at the Panola Academy in Finland with Professor Jorma Panola and at the Royal Academy of Music in Stockholm. She has participated in master classes at the Royal Opera House in London and the LEAD!-Jukka-Pekka Saraste Academy.
Before she began conducting, Itkonen served as guest concertmaster of leading European orchestras such as the WDR Sinfonieorchester Köln and the Lucerne Symphony Orchestra. She has served as permanent concertmaster of the Tampere Philharmonic Orchestra and the Kuopio Symphony Orchestra.