Irish Chamber Orchestra (ICO) has announced the appointment of Henning Kraggerud, one of Norway’s most distinguished musicians, as its new Artistic Partner.
Kraggerud begins his three-year tenure in August 2025, following a legacy of renowned artistic collaborators, including, most recently Thomas Zehetmair and Jörg Widmann.
Oslo-born Kraggerud is a highly regarded violinist, violist and composer and is one of Norway’s finest musical exports. He performs regularly on the world’s most prestigious stages, collaborating with leading orchestras and conductors. His performances are acclaimed for their depth of communication and the sense of discovery he fosters in the concert hall. A prolific composer, Henning has over 200 works to his name and is an enthusiastic educator whose writings provide profound insights into his multifaceted approach to music-making.
ICO’s CEO, Gerry Keenan, expressed his enthusiasm, “I am delighted Henning Kraggerud will join our ICO family as Artistic Partner. Henning has consistently demonstrated his exceptional ability to connect with our audiences across Ireland, inspiring and delighting with every performance. His warm approach to music-making is rooted in a profound love for the music itself, and his deep desire to share that passion with our musicians and audiences is obvious. Each concert with Henning at the helm is an unforgettable experience, and we look forward to sharing many more extraordinary performances with him in the years to come.”
Henning Kraggerud said: “From the outset, my collaboration with ICO has been exceptionally fulfilling due to the warmth and sincerity I’ve experienced from the players and team. ICO is so open to exploring new ways of performing and rehearsing, including movement, dance, choreographic elements, and innovative programming, as well as meeting the audience through interactive experiences. Our work together has had a profound impact on me, and I’m excited to develop our relationship, nurturing ties with communities, inspiring each other’s creativity, and celebrating Ireland’s rich cultural heritage and its people.
We hope to create new opportunities between the Arctic Philharmonic Chamber Orchestra and ICO, at a time when intercultural ties are becoming so important. Ireland and Norway, as west-facing regions of Europe can benefit from each other and present exciting possibilities for us. My three times Great Grandmother was Irish and touring with ICO has made me feel so much more than just 1/32nd Irish”.
Kraggerud made his debut with ICO in March 2022, in a programme which highlighted music from his native Norway, captivating both the musicians and audiences alike. A performance of his own orchestral arrangement of Bach’s Goldberg Variations* in March 2024, sealed the partnership. Kraggerud joins ICO this week to perform Vivaldi’s iconic Four Seasons, alongside three of his own original works. Reflecting on his approach, Kraggerud says, “I simply try to create a setting in which spontaneous things can happen, and that means having slightly less control and more freedom for the players to express themselves. Most of my treasured moments in life (not just in music) are when you dare to be yourself, try not to be overly controlled, and try to inspire.”
In addition to his new role with the ICO, Henning Kraggerud serves as the Artistic Director of the Arctic Philharmonic Chamber Orchestra in Tromsø. A highly respected figure in the classical music world, his extensive discography has earned widespread acclaim. Highlights include Between the Seasons, a captivating album that pairs Vivaldi’s The Four Seasons with his own compositions (Simax), and a celebrated disc of Beethoven’s works (Simax). Kraggerud has also recorded Grieg’s concertos*, reimagined from his violin sonatas (Naxos), as well as his own original compositions, showcased in Equinox (Simax). Henning is a Professor of Violin and Viola at the Norwegian Academy of Music, where he also teaches improvisation. Additionally, he serves as the Chair of Violin and a Fellow at the Royal Northern College of Music (RNCM) in Manchester.
As Ireland’s national chamber orchestra, Irish Chamber Orchestra resides at the University of Limerick, Ireland and is funded by The Arts Council of Ireland/An Chomhairle Ealaíon.
