Norwegian music sensations tenThing coming to Chester Summer Music Festival

May 12 2011 Chester Chronicle

WITH a new EMI contract signed last week, the talented young Norwegians tenThing’s next stop is the Chester Summer Music Festival.

Tine Thing Helseth brings her extraordinary all-female brass ensemble tenThing to Chester for their first concert and exclusive performance in the UK.

Tine, who has already embarked on a whirlwind solo career with performances across the globe, founded tenThing in 2007 and they are fast becoming a favourite with festivals in Europe and will be performing at Chester Town Hall on July 13.

At just 23-years-old, the dynamic Norwegian trumpeter Helseth is one of the leading trumpet soloists of her generation. She is already a sensation in her homeland, winning the 2007 Norwegian Grammy Award for Best Newcomer after being the first ever classical artist to be nominated.

Helseth is a unique and innovative artist dedicated to expanding the reach of core classical trumpet repertoire and exploring alternative soundscapes, both as leader of the all-female tenThing and in collaboration with artists from other genres.

Andrew Cornall, vice president of A&R for EMI Classics and artistic director for the Chester Summer Music Festival, said: “I am delighted to be able to invite Tine Thing Helseth and her wonderful ensemble TenThing for their first appearance in the UK.

“I am also thrilled to have signed Tine and the ensemble to the EMI Classics label. She is a wonderful musician, the ensemble are terrific and I am sure they will be a success not only at the festival but inter- nationally to the listening and concert-going public alike.”

Helseth said: “I am extremely excited to sign my agreement as I have long had a great admiration for all the artists who have recorded with EMI Classics.

“It is a huge honour to join such a prestigious list and I’m really looking forward to developing a great artistic collaboration with all the team.”

Kathryn Enticott, senior vice president of IMG Artists, said: “Tine is one of those exceptional contemporary artists who has the ability to connect with audiences of all ages.

“Through her varied work, not just as a solo artist but also with her brass ensemble, tenThing, her quartet, and in a number of other collaborations, Tine has already endeared herself to a huge number of fans in her native Norway.

We are delighted that EMI Classics has seen the potential to expand Tine’s worldwide recording career.”

Helseth, born in 1987, started playing the trumpet at the age of seven and is one of the leading trumpet soloists of her generation.

Highlights of last season included her US recital debut in Washington DC, a return to the Ulster Orchestra, performances with the Norrköping Symphony Orchestra, and a tour with the Trondheim Soloists.

Helseth’s debut album (Classical Trumpet Concertos with the Norwegian Chamber Orchestra) was released in November 2007 on the Norwegian Simax label and named Classical Recording of the Year by the Norwegian newspaper Aftenposten.

Also on Simax, Helseth’s second album – My Heart Is Ever Present, a collection of her favourite Christmas songs and hymns, released in November 2009 – went “gold” in the Norwegian classical chart after just three weeks.

Helseth’s European festival appearances include the Schleswig-Holstein, Bergen International, and Kissinger Summer, where she was awarded the Luitpold Prize for the most outstanding and interesting young artist of the year in 2007.

Among the trumpeter’s numerous other awards are the 2009 Borletti-Buitoni Trust Fellowship, Newcomer of the Year at the 2007 Norwegian Grammy Awards, second prize in the 2006 Eurovision Young Musicians Competition, and the prestigious Prince Eugen’s Culture Prize in Stockholm.

The Chester Summer Music festival runs for two weeks from July 1-16 and features 12 evening concerts, seven lunchtime concerts, and one Big Sing Weekend.

For all the festival concerts and ticket information visit www.chester festivals.co.uk, where you will be able to view the whole programme and book tickets or call 0845 2417868.