Northern Lights

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Stream Live on WGUC

Generously sponsored by The Friends of CSI

Friends of CSI enjoy priority booking two weeks before general tickets go on sale, as well as complimentary pre-concert Wine Notes receptions. Become a Friend today.

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About

Following last season’s highly acclaimed concert Norden , Fulbright Scholar and celebrated soprano Alisa Jordheim brings us another jewel of a program from the North. Featuring stunning songs in Swedish, Finnish, Norwegian, and Danish, we’ll once again be transported from the Queen City to the quiet passion of the Nordic region.

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Program

Curated by Alisa Jordheim, Fulbright Scholar and Fellow of the American Scandinavian Foundation

Peter Heise Selections from Fire sange af Arne / Four Songs from Arne

Gösta Nystroem Det enda Hugo Alfvén Skogen sover Jean Sibelius Illale Lars-Erik Larsson För vilsna fötter sjunger gräset Albert Schnelzer Smärtan II (from Requiem )

Ståle Kleiberg Trur du på lyng? / Do you Believe in Heather?

Carl Nielsen Genrebillede Carl Nielsen Æbleblomst Eyvind Alnæs Lykken mellom to mennesker Eyvind Alnæs Nordlys Backer Grøndahl Solsik Backer Grøndahl Kløvereng

Program subject to change without notice.

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Curator's Note

It was a joy to bring you songs in Swedish and Norwegian (Nynorsk) last November for Norden , our first Nordic song program for the Cincinnati Song Initiative. For our second program, Northern Lights , I wanted to include additional Nordic languages and present repertoire that spans from romantic to contemporary eras.

Our program begins with two songs by Peter Heise, a Danish composer, with texts in Norwegian from Bjørnstjerne Bjørnson’s novel, Arne . These songs were suggested to me by pianist Kelly Kuo, and they are a delightful way to open our program.

The second group of songs includes settings of Swedish and Finnish texts, and the sensitive treatment of the poetry and evocative piano writing make them favorites of mine. These songs take us on quite a journey: from the majestic sea and a sleeping forest, to finding rest in one’s evening, to the ominous personification of grass and, especially, of pain. I have long admired the songs of Swedish composer Gösta Nystroem and was considering including at least one of his songs on this program. This past April, Professor Kenneth Griffiths at CCM asked if I sing any of Nystroem’s songs, and that compelled me to include “Det enda” on this program.

I was introduced to the first song (“Fruktbar stille”) of Ståle Kleiberg’s cycle, Trur du på lyng? , at the Source Song Festival in Minneapolis this past summer, and I knew immediately that I had to learn about this Norwegian cycle. I was taken with the intriguing poetry, lyrical vocal line, and dramatic piano interludes.

The last group of songs includes settings of Danish and Norwegian texts, and in it we are introduced to a variety of endearing scenes and characters: a page boy who struggles to write a poem, a blushing apple blossom, nature’s reflection of happiness between two people, the glimmering northern lights, a golden sunflower, and a whimsical clover field. These songs are charming, heart-warming, and have been among my favorites for many years.

I hope you enjoy this program and that it will inspire you to explore more Nordic repertoire as a performer, teacher, and/or audience member.

-Alisa Jordheim, program curator

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Wine Notes

Enjoy curated wine pairings at a pre-concert reception by our friends at Hart & Cru . Complimentary access for the Friends of CSI , or available as a ticket add-on when booking.

For Cincinnati Song Initiative's upcoming Northern Lights concert, we've selected three wines that we feel connect with the themes, landscapes, and emotional progression of the evening's music.

Rather than attempting to make a direct geographical connection to Scandinavia, where traditional wine production is limited, we've approached the pairings through the ideas expressed in the program: the natural world, the contrast between darkness and light, and the movement from introspection toward warmth and renewal.

Each wine has been selected for its relationship to these ideas, drawing connections between the land where the grapes are grown, the character of the wine, and the stories being told through the music. Our goal is to create another layer of discovery for guests, using wine as an extension of the concert's narrative.

1. LANDSCAPE | Weingut Leipold, Silvaner Keuper Kabinett Trocken, Franken, Germany, 2024

The Leipold family farms in Franconia, Germany, a region where Silvaner has a long history and where geology plays a defining role in the wines. This bottling takes its name from Keuper, a geological formation of ancient sedimentary layers that contributes to the region's distinctive growing conditions. The surrounding landscape is characterized by forests, meadows, and rolling hills.

We chose this wine to reflect the natural imagery woven throughout the Nordic repertoire. The references to forests, water, open landscapes, and the stillness of evening find a parallel in a wine shaped so directly by its environment. Silvaner's understated character makes it especially appropriate. Rather than commanding attention, it invites observation and a deeper appreciation of place.

2. INTROSPECTION | Fratelli Alessandria, Prinsiòt, Langhe Nebbiolo, Piemonte, Italy, 2023

The Alessandria family has cultivated vineyards in Verduno, one of the historic villages of Barolo, for generations. Prinsiòt, first produced in 1964, comes from vineyards surrounding Verduno and offers an expression of Nebbiolo that balances delicacy with an underlying structural intensity.

Nebbiolo is a fascinating grape in this context because of its inherent contrasts. It can be remarkably delicate and floral while possessing considerable tension and structure. We selected this wine to accompany the more introspective elements of the program, where beauty, longing, vulnerability, and darker emotional themes coexist. Much like the music, the wine demonstrates that delicacy and intensity are not opposing qualities but can exist together.

3. RENEWAL | Catherine & Pierre Breton, Avis de Vin Fort, Bourgueil, Loire Valley, France, 2025

Catherine and Pierre Breton have been influential advocates for organic and biodynamic viticulture in the Loire Valley. Their Avis de Vin Fort is produced from Cabernet Franc grown on the sandy and gravelly terraces of Bourgueil. The wine is made in a lighter, more immediate style, emphasizing freshness and the natural expression of the fruit.

We chose this wine to represent the program's return to warmth, nature, and human connection. The imagery of blossoms, flowers, and changing seasons suggests a sense of renewal following the darker and more contemplative passages. The Breton is a particularly fitting conclusion because it expresses Cabernet Franc with a sense of openness, energy, and vitality. It provides a contrast to the structure of the Nebbiolo while bringing the evening's wine progression to a brighter conclusion.

THE OVERALL EXPERIENCE

Together, these three wines move from a sense of place and landscape, through emotional complexity, and finally toward renewal. While each comes from a different European wine region, they share an emphasis on farming, the expression of place, and producers who allow the character of their vineyards to speak through their wines.

Our hope is that these selections give guests another way to engage with Northern Lights , finding connections between music, nature, agriculture, and the emotions that make each of these art forms so compelling.

We are excited to share these wines and to continue building the connection between Hart & Cru and Cincinnati Song Initiative.

-Kevin Hart, Owner & Sommelier

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Know Before You Go as a Live Studio Audience Member

“What a fun and unique experience! 10/10!” -2025 Audience Member

We look forward to welcoming you as an audience member at our live broadcasts. Below are a few helpful tips to ensure a great experience:

• Audience members must be arrived and seated 15 minutes before the advertised start of the concert. Latecomers may be seated at the discretion of CSI and Cincinnati Public Radio staff.

• Get ready to enjoy a unique experience as we’re guided by an on-stage host who provides interesting insights before each group of songs.

• Yes, you can clap! Even though the concert will be live on the radio, our on-air host will explain that the broadcast includes you - a live studio audience - and that we’ll be applauding to celebrate the wonderful artists and their performances like at any concert.

• Please note that audio and video recording will take place during the concert.

• As a courtesy to performers and fellow audience members, please turn off all cell phones before the concert begins.

Meet the Artists

Alisa Jordheim, soprano

Kaylee Nichols, mezzo

Kelly Kuo, piano

Christina Lalog Seal, piano

Elaine Diehl, host

Artists subject to change without notice.

Just a taste from the program…