Category: Blog posts

Last sunday’s service in Härnösand cathedral also featured the ordination of new priests and deacons. Currently, 50 people are allowed to gather in churches here in Sweden, which meant that for the first time in what almost feels like forever, the hymns felt alive as dozens of voices joined together. Additionally, I was happy and… Continue reading The Joy of Singing Together

Last week showed me yet another example of why true enthusiasts are absolutely necessary in the world of music, or for that matter, the arts in general. Sundsvall is one of Sweden’s largest municipalities. It is located in the middle of the country, or, depending on who you ask, in the lower half of Norrland… Continue reading On the Importance of Enthusiasts

I wonder if Maria Barbara or Anna Magdalena would have ever cooked something similar to this. I have been an enthusiastic chorister since grade school. A few years after moving to Härnösand I was invited to join the chamber choir of Härnösand Cathedral. Probably similar to many other choirs, each rehearsal includes a coffee break… Continue reading Pears and Ginger and Johann Sebastian

It’s easy today, I think, to take realistic, natural-sounding virtual instruments and other high quality sampled sounds for granted. In fact, today we consider technology that used to be regarded as cutting edge and true-to-nature more as something quaint and possessing a particular sound that is desirable in itself. Take FM synthesis, for example. As… Continue reading The Sound of the Future

Another week, another composition sent off to the musicians. Not an entirely new work this time, but still! Since I was a teenager, I’ve wanted to be able to play the bassoon. It’s one of those instruments that aren’t as obvious as violin, guitar, drums, piano, or even flute, bass guitar, cello or trumpet. I… Continue reading Better Late than Never

Norway celebrates its Contitution Day and my latest work, the septet ”Books on a Bookshelf”, is finally finished! To be honest, I had forgotten how much work preparing a score and parts actually involves, and how long it takes. That also says something about how long it has been since I last finished a more… Continue reading A Very Special Release Day

Everybody knows about Pictures at an Exhibition. When will we get to hear Books on a Bookshelf? A local bookseller and a very dear friend of mine pitched me this idea several years ago – half in jest, half in earnest – and has reminded me of it every once in a while since. Far from… Continue reading Books on a Bookshelf

Three years ago, I could not have imagined where I would be at today. A statement like that is of course really easy to make; it’s hard to predict one’s future, and especially so when a once-in-a-century pandemic suddenly upends many parts of everyday life. Still, I would never in a million years have guessed… Continue reading The times, they are a-changin’

The last few months have been positively riddled with music, from presenting several concerts featuring music by Victoria Borisova-Ollas to recently having several pieces premiered in different parts of Sweden within just a few days of each other. Härnösand’s concert-goers were first treated (or perhaps subjected?) to my electroacoustic suite Mind Songs, based on text… Continue reading Busy little bee

I think most would agree that this time of year, even more so than the rest, is chock full of various concerts, special programmes and other music-related performances, spontaneous and otherwise. It beggars belief to imagine a music-less holiday season, whether you’re remembering the Maccabean revolt in Jerusalem, commemorating the birth of Jesus Christ, celebrating… Continue reading Christmas time is (Saulesco) music time