Musicians 2025
Amalie Malling
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Amalie Malling is one of Denmark’s most prominent pianists with a career spanning several decades. Her interpretations of the Viennese classical repertoire have been recognized both nationally and internationally, working with conductors such as Kiril Kondrashin and Michael Schønwandt.
Amalie is particularly dedicated to the works of Schubert and has been a strong advocate of modern music, premiering works by Danish and Nordic composers. She has taught as a professor at the Royal Danish Academy of Music for many years and is known for her dedication to promoting young musical talent. Her work harmonizes with Late Summer Festival’s focus on highlighting Nordic music and talent development.
Anne Mette Stæhr
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Since Anne Mette Stæhr first performed at Late Summer Festival in 2014, she has further consolidated her reputation as one of the country’s most prominent chamber musicians, especially in vocal music. Her versatility is evident in her work, which ranges from solo performances to collaborations with Danish symphony orchestras and chamber music ensembles.
Anne Mette’s CD recordings have received rave reviews, including an internationally acclaimed recording of Sofia Gubaidulina’s complete works for solo piano. She is an associate professor at the Royal Danish Academy of Music, where she teaches piano, chamber music and accompaniment as her main subjects.
Bjarne Hansen
violin
Bjarne Hansen is one of Denmark’s most prominent violinists and throughout his career he has established himself as one of the country’s leading concertmasters. At a young age, he was appointed first concertmaster of the Odense Symphony Orchestra, a position he held with great success for many years. His musical leadership and technical skill have also made him a sought-after guest concertmaster with the Royal Danish Orchestra and other prominent Danish orchestras.
Bjarne Hansen is a passionate chamber musician and soloist whose playing has inspired both colleagues and audiences. His dedication to the musical life of Funen has been crucial to the development of Odense Symphony Orchestra, and over the years he has played a central role in the musical growth of the region.
Brit-Tone Müllertz
soprano
Brit-Tone Müllertz was nominated ‘most promising singer of the year’ in 2014 by the highly respected German music magazine Opernwelt and has built an impressive international career. She has already worked with the greatest conductors such as Christian Thielemann (Semperoper Dresden, Salzburger Festspiele) and Dennis Russel Davies (Musikverein, Vienna), and has performed regularly on opera stages such as Bayreuth, Vienna and Munich.
An exceptionally versatile singer who embraces both the great operatic roles such as “Sieglinde” and “Tosca” and intimate chamber music works by Schubert and Grieg – a range that fits perfectly with the Late Summer Festival’s diverse musical universe.
Frank Reinecke
double bass
Frank Reinecke is one of Germany’s most prominent double bassists and a pioneer of microtonal music. His musical journey began at the age of 5 playing the violin, before later switching to double bass and developing a versatile career that embraces both classical and early music traditions.
As a member of the Bavarian Radio Symphony Orchestra, Frank has established himself as a central figure in the classical music scene. He has released several critically acclaimed solo recordings and performed internationally as a soloist and chamber musician. For many years he has worked closely with violinist Helge Slaatto in a duo where they have premiered works inspired by Nordic music traditions.
Jonathan Slaatto
cello
Jonathan Slaatto is a prize winner of several renowned competitions, including ARD Munich, Melbourne International Music Competition and Joseph Haydn Wettbewerb in Vienna. He performs regularly as a chamber musician in Denmark, Europe, and the USA and has been a soloist with orchestras such as the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra and DR SymfoniOrkestret.
Jonathan has also given masterclasses at the Lake District Festival in England and has taught chamber music at the Royal Danish Academy of Music in Copenhagen. He is also a member of Ensemble MidtVest and the Danish Clarinet Trio, but he has recently taken up the position of principal cellist with the Odense Symphony Orchestra.
Kristoffer Hyldig
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Kristoffer Hyldig graduated from the Royal Danish Academy of Music in 2010 after studying with Professor Niklas Sivelöv and Tove Lønskov. He has since established himself as a versatile musician, performing regularly as a soloist, chamber musician and accompanist. His concerts have taken him to stages in Denmark, Italy, Germany, Poland and the prestigious Carnegie Hall in New York.
Since 2006, Kristoffer has released a series of critically acclaimed recordings ranging from lieder and chamber music to works by composers such as Debussy, Ravel and Messiaen. As a soloist, he has performed with several of Denmark’s leading orchestras and received acclaim for his technical virtuosity and musical empathy.
Michala Petri
recorder
An eminent virtuoso on the recorder, Michala Petri has had a significant impact on both the Danish and international music scene for almost half a century. She has not only expanded the repertoire of the recorder, but also transformed the perception of the instrument. From a young age, a number of composers have composed works especially for her, a testament to her unique talent.
Petri has constantly worked to expand the musical possibilities of the recorder, and today she has mastered a repertoire ranging from traditional Baroque music to modern compositions. Her work is a tribute to the versatility of the recorder and fits perfectly into the Late Summer Festival’s focus on promoting Nordic and contemporary music.
Moritz Salger
vertax diabolo juggler
Moritz Salger is a Vertax Diabolo juggler extraordinaire. A graduate of the Academy of Circus and Performance Art in the Netherlands specializing in Vertax Diabolo, Moritz brings a rare style to Europe that is otherwise mostly known in Asia. He has focused on introducing Western audiences to Vertax Diabolo as a form of artistic expression where the diabolo becomes part of a dance in harmony with music.
At Late Summer Festival, he collaborates with some of the festival’s musicians, creating a unique and captivating performance that combines circus and musical art.
Anna Stæhr Trio
Anna Stæhr, vocals - Alfred Ocansey, piano - Eigil Lau Andersen, double bass
Anna Stæhr Trio consists of three young and talented musicians who bring new life to the world of vocal jazz. Rooted in the classic jazz tradition, the trio combines strong melodies, poetic lyrics and dynamic artistic energy. Frontwoman Anna Stæhr delivers a modern interpretation of the rich history of jazz, accompanied by Alfred Ocansey on piano and Eigil Lau Andersen on double bass.
The trio contributes to Late Summer Festival’s focus on highlighting young talent and creating new musical experiences for the festival audience.
POING
Rolf-Erik Nystrøm, saxophone - Frode Haltli, accordion - Håkon Thelin, double bass
POING is a pioneering ensemble that since 1999 has been ambassadors for contemporary music across genres and borders. The trio consists of Rolf-Erik Nystrøm on saxophone, Frode Haltli on accordion and Håkon Thelin on double bass. Together they work closely with the world’s leading composers and bring new music to venues ranging from experimental festivals to traditional concert halls.
The ensemble has performed at festivals such as Ultima in Oslo and presented projects that connect modern music with political and cultural perspectives. POING’s work is in line with Late Summer Festival’s focus on Nordic contemporary music and boundary-breaking artistic projects.
Anette Slaatto & Helge Slaatto
artistic directors, viola, violin
Anette has made a name for herself as an excellent interpreter of contemporary music, with excellent reviews in both Danish and international press. Her participation on CDs such as ‘The Secret Melody’, ‘The Planets’ and Axel Borup-Jørgensen’s ‘Viola Works’, as well as a successful recording of Bach’s solo suites, underlines her position as one of today’s leading musicians.
Since 2014, together with Helge Slaatto, she has been the artistic director of the Late Summer Festival and Lindegaard Concerts. Her deep commitment to classical music and ability to create an inclusive atmosphere has been instrumental in bringing classical music to new audiences on the West Coast through the Late Summer Festival at Hvide Sande. In November 2024, Anette Slaatto received the Axel Borup-Jørgensen composer award for her educational work, and she has composed for children and young people throughout her career. This year’s festival will feature her duo for violin and viola, written for Helge and Anette Slaatto.
Helge, with 25 years of experience as a professor at the Musikhøjskolen in Münster and now at MGK Copenhagen, has enriched the classical music scene with countless concerts and master classes in Europe and the USA. His collaboration with double bassist Frank Reinecke has resulted in over 50 original works composed for the two, and their duo has received the Preis der Deutschen Schallplattenkritik award.
Helge’s latest project, ‘Nordic Songs and Romances’ with Anne Mette Stæhr, received five stars in Kristeligt Dagblad, and together they have with Anette Slaatto recorded a CD of Danish Duos for violin and viola, all composed for the two. They continue to explore the possibilities of classical music and bring unique experiences to the Late Summer Festival.
