Programs archive

The vitality and vigor of the American Scandinavian Society can best be seen through the multiplicity of our activities.

We have offered many programs encompassing a multitude of subjects.

1998	Talk by Peter Hessellund-Jensen “Scandinavian Citizen-Immigration and Estate Laws of the U.s.A.” at Society of Illustrators Book Party with Han. Dag Sebastian Ahlander at the residence of the Swedish Consul General with Swea Trip to Washington, D.C. and tour of the Finnish Embassy An evening with Johan Molander at Society of Illustrators
1997	Masterdass with Elisabeth Soderstrom, the world renowned Swedish soprano, Lincoln Center Lecture by Professor Brad Leithauser on Nobel Prize winner Halldor Laxness’ book “Independent People”, Kong Olav V’s Church Jaakko Kuusisto, violin and Ilkka Paananen, piano, St. Peter’s Church co-sponsored by the Sibelius Society An Evening with Tone Vigeland, Norway’s foremost jewelry designer, Cooper-Hewitt Museum Tour of Kykuit, The Rockefellers’ impressive country home Steinway Hall Recital with Nina-Margret Grimsdottir, Nina Crothers and Ragin Wenk-Wolf
1996	An evening with Bellman. Visans Vaninnor performed at the residence of the Swedish Consul General The Iceland Symphony Orchestra performed at Carnegie Hall, Pre-Concert dinner at Christer’s and a post-concert reception at the home of the Icelandic Ambassador to the United Nations The Mika Pohjola Trio. A.s.S. 1996 Cultural Grant Winner at the Blue Note Siri Hustvedt Reading, “The Enchantment of Lily Dahl” at the residence of the Norwegian Consul General
1995	The American Scandinavian Society & the Norwegian Seamen’s Church presented Kirsten Flagstad – a Centenary Celebration, created and hosted by Rolf Stang We sponsored two lectures: Developments in Finnish Decorative Arts – 1875 to the present and The Evolution of the Norwegian Silver Design – 1600 to 1850 at the Bard Graduate Center We sponsored the lectures; The Glory of Swedish Glass and Danish Furniture Design and Innovation in Danish Ceramics at the Bard Graduate Center Arnaldur Arnarson – Guitarist in Concert at the Norwegian Seamen’s Church Jytte Willumstad guided us through the paintings of Edward Munch and Harald Sohlberg, “Landscapes of the Mind” at the National Academy Museum
1994	Jytte Willumstad guided us through “The Golden Age of Danish Painting” at the Metropolitan Museum of Art Martin Rambusch guided us through the masterful works of painted murals, stained-glass windows, art- fullighting, etc. at the Rambusch Studio, founded 85 years ago by his Danish family The Norwegian pianist. Havard Gimse, made his US solo debut, playing Prokofiev’s Piano Concerto Nor. 5 with the Riverside Symphony and Lincoln Center. The Consul General of Norway gave a pre-performance reception, and Society members met the artists at a champagne reception followin g the concert Private viewing of the distinguished architect Der Scutt’s extraordinary collection of Ship Models, Paintings and Cutaways A reception at the Waldor-Astoria to honor Her Excellency, Vigdis Finnbogadottir, the President of Iceland . Co-sponsored by the Icelandic American Society of New York Jelly Roll!- the Music and the Man, staring Virnel Bagneris and Morten Gunnar Larsen – Off-Broadway at the 47th Street Theater. On-stage wine reception to meet the performers following the play
1993	Celebrating the music of Edward Grieg. the young, prizewinning, Norwegian pianist, LeiI Ove Andsnes, had his New York debut at the Kaufman Concert Hall followed by a private reception A lecture by John Bjornebye, Consul General of Norway. “Exploration and everyday life in the Viking Age” and Norwegian music performed by Flutist Ellen Bjornebye-at the Explorer’s Club Guest appearance by Stockholm’s Spegelteatern “Beyond the Rainbow” at Deutsches Haus, sponsored by Columbia University Swedish Program Nordic Poetry Festival, two days of readings by 50 Scandinavian poets at the Cooper Union, co-spon- sored by all the Scandinavian Consuls General “Grieg, Edvard Grieg,” a one-man theater piece writ- ten and performed by Rolf Stang at the Little Theater, Citicorp Center
1992	Scandinavian Skating Party at the Wollman Rink in Central Park co-sponsored by the American Scandinavian Foundation “Viking Life Eternal” at the Explorers Club; Lecture by Dr. Haraldur Bessason. The armual Ugly Duckling’s Birthday Party. Storytelling at the Hans Christian Andersen Statue in Central Park “Vinland Revisited” video presentation of the Viking ship Gaia’s voyage across the Atlantic at the Seamen’s Institute. Reception with Captain Ragnar Torseth. Co- sponsored by the American Scandinavian Society
1991	Swedish mezzo-soprano Charlotte Hellekant orches- tral debut in New York, with the Riverside Symphony at Lincoln Center. A reception followed at the Swedish Residence of Consul General Arne Thoren Excursion to historic West Point, U.s. Military Academy. After the Guided Tour and watching the Dress Parade with 2100 cadets, lunch was served in the Officer’s Club Fall color excursion to Benmarl, America’s oldest vine- yard, overlooking the Hudson River. Guided Tour by the owner and well known illustrator Mark Miller, Winetasting and Luncheon Jean Sibelius Symphony No. 4 was performed by the Riverside Symphony at Alice Tully Hall. Following the concert, a reception to meet the conductor and musicians at the home of Deputy Consul General of Finland, Mr. Tatu Tuohikorpi and Mrs. Tuohikorpi
1990	A visit to four artists at their studios in SoHo: Poul Janus Ipsen, Denmark; Kari Walden, Finland; Hunt Sionem, America; Siri Berg, Sweden Triple header event at the Cooper Hewitt Museum in connection with the Flora Danica Exhibition and a lec- ture on Swedish botanist Carl Von Linne “Spring Is Here Party.” The American Scandinavian Society and the American Scandinavian Foundation, in a combined venture, invited members of both organizations and their guests to a spring luncheon at the Tavern on the Green, honoring Princess Benedikte of Denmark
1989	Scandinavian Waterways at the Explorers Club. Lecture by Bengt Gyllenhof Elsa Waage, soprano, our Cultural Grant Award Recipient, performed at the Dag Hammarskjold Library at the United Nations Garden Party on Dr. Charles and Mrs. Ellen Brush roof garden by special invitation for potential new “Young Members” Outing to the Barnes Museum in Philadelphia. Lecture by Art Historian Charlotte G. Gluck
1988	A Celebration of Finland’s 70th Anniversary of Independence at the National Arts Club with guest speaker His Excellency Dr. Kiejo Korhonon followed by cocktails and dinner.”Three Faces of Iceland.” Mr. Magnus Magnusson, a writer and broadcaster with the BBC in Scotland specializing in history, archaeology, and the Old Norse studies, gave a talk at the Explorers Club
1987	A Spring Outing. A day at the nationally renowned Culinary Institute of America. Luncheon of French cuisine in the Escoffier Restaurant and a guided tour of the Institute’s facilitiesA Cruise on the Hudson River from Garrison, New York on the M/V commander. Buffet brunch and musical entertainment
1986	An evening with the Swedish Folkdancers of New York at the New York Genealogical Society auditorium. This folkdance group is the oldest in the United States, having been founded in 1906.A Grand Bus Tour. Jay Gould’s Gothic revival estate overlooking the Hudson. Lunch buffet at the Atrium of Arrowood. Neuberger Museum (of Suny) in Purchase followed by a visit to Pepsico Sculpture GardensBengt Hallberg-playing improvisations and his arrangements on the most beloved folk music of all five Nordic countries
1985	An afternoon lecture by Marianne Juhl on the Danish author Karen BlixenCelebrating the Art of Dance as Martha Graham received the Carina Ari Medal from Princess Christina of Sweden.Fashion Show at the Tavern on the Green featuring Finnish furs modeled by some of the most beautiful Scandinavian models.Finnish Glass Exhibition at the Cooper Hewitt Museum by curator David McFadden. He spoke of the famous Finnish glass craft and its history.Concert for Finland at St. Peters Church, N.Y. in celebration of the 150th Anniversary of Kalevala.
1983-4	Our season started September 19th at the Explorers Club with the opening of the Amundsen Photo Exhibition and a gala reception. This exhibition was loaned by the Norwegian government. A grant from Exxon permitted the publishing of a catalogue, the mounting of the exhibition and security services made it accessible to the public for two weeks.The music of Sibelius, Carl Nielsen and Edvard Grieg was played and sung at the Carnegie Recital Hall on January 11th. There followed a large and festive smorgasbord featuring beers, aquavit and liqueurs of Scandinavia.On May 14th the Danish National Orchestra played at Carnegie Hall followed by a gala reception at Cafe Carnegie.The 1983-84 season closed on June 12th with Svend Asmussen and his trio playing at Carnegie Recital Hall followed by a Scandinavian buffet catered by the restaurant, Old Denmark.