Day Three of Norway in a Nutshell - Oslo

Posing with the famous The Scream

Day Three is Cultural Oslo Day
As we were anticipating a cold day of rains, we planned for indoor activities, starting with the Munch museum. The museum was a small building containing works of Munch, including the famous Scream as well as Madonna. I found out more about the robbery of the paintings in 2004. Somewhat the robbery incident got my attention more than the paintings. Of course I had to pose with the famous Scream Painting by Edvard Munch. 

The Scream by Edvard Munch
The Scream was first exhibited at Munch’s solo exhibition in Berlin in 1893. It was a central element in “The Frieze of Life”, and has been the theme of probing analysis and many suggested interpretations. The painting also exists in a later version, which is in the possession of the Munch Museum. In addition Munch worked with the motif in drawings, pastels and prints.

In 2012, The Scream' was Auctioned for a Record $119.9 Million. It took 12 nail-biting minutes and five eager bidders for Edvard Munch's famed 1895 pastel of “The Scream” to sell for $119.9 million, becoming the world's most expensive work of art ever to sell at auction.

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Enjoying the works of Damien Hirst

Next stop is the Museum of Contemporary Art located in a redeveloped district that's very modern and suave looking. I liked this museum, and was pleasantly surprised by the Damien Hirst collections which brought back memories of my London days. 

Review of Astrup Fearnley Museum of Contemporary Art
Arrived at the museum on a rainy day. Situated at the modern refurbished district of Tjuvholmen, I saw many lovely apartments and water channels with yachts making this a really lovely place to be able to reside. The Astrup Fearnley Museum is a privately owned art gallery which holds a large collection of international modern contemporary art. I saw Damien Hirst and his series of animals preserved in formaldehyde, which is always facinating to look at ... bewildering would be the word that I used. On the upper level, I saw Anselm Kiefer, a German painter and sculptor. 
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When we exited the museum, the rain started and got heavier and heavier. We made a quick trip for the oldest cathedral in Oslo but it was unfortunately closed. As my shoes were getting wet from the rain, we made a lunch stop back at Mathallen and had a duck confit sandwich and wine. The sandwich was 130 Nok or so while the wine cost about 115 Nok.  

Then it was back to Thon Hotel. I decided to work on the September promotion video and cleared my emails before heading out again to catch the Oslo philharmonic. 

Before the concert started. Tchaikovsky No. 5 for this evening!

​The Oslo Philharmonic
The Oslo Philharmonic is a symphony orchestra of international renown. It was formed in 1919 and today has 108 musicians in its ranks. This year 2019 marked the 100th anniversary since the philharmonic was formed, and to commemorate this special occasion, they are starting the season with Tchaikovsky No. 5. 

Tchaikovsky’s fifth symphony has always had a special resonance in the orchestra. The work was performed during its very first season, and has proved remarkably popular among musicians, conductors and audiences in Oslo since the 1920’s. Half a century later, Tchaikovsky’s symphonies were in focus when the Oslo Philharmonic first achieved international recognition. Recordings of the fourth, fifth and sixth symphonies with Mariss Jansons in the 1980’s won numerous awards, granting the orchestra a new presence on the international music scene.

I did enjoy the performance generally, as the orchestra was really accomplished and played very well. Perhaps I have not been to many performances before, but this is likely the best performance for Tchaikovsky that I have ever experienced so far. Well done Oslo Philharmonic!