Konserthuset Stockholm

Georg Philipp Telemann, a central figure of the Baroque era, was active in Germany throughout his life. We associate him with cities such as Leipzig, Frankfurt and Hamburg. But there was also a brief, yet important Paris period. 

For eight months around 1737–38, Telemann was in the French capital. He absorbed impressions from the music of Rameau, among others, resulting in the French style leaving an impression on his own music. We have two examples from the so-called Paris quartets (there are a total of twelve), which frame three French Baroque masters: Leclair, Couperin and Hotteterre – nicknamed “Le Romain” after studying in Rome.

Hotteterre was also a masterful flute player and came from a family of wind instrument makers and virtuosos. Orpheus Baroque welcomes Finnish flute player Pauliina Fred, a specialist in early flute-playing. Here, she plays a predecessor to the transverse flute that is made out of wood and has fewer keys.

Critically acclaimed ensemble Orpheus Baroque regularly works with prominent guests from the international Baroque music scene. Artistic director is the Royal Stockholm Philharmonic’s solo cellist, Johannes Rostamo, as well as concertmaster and Baroque violinist Elin Gabrielsson, a member, among other ensembles, of Italian Europa Galante.

Two prominent Finnish names in music are Royal Stockholm Philharmonic Orchestra’s Conductor Laureate Sakari Oramo, and Anu Komsi, celebrated for her crystal-clear soprano and light, high register. Here, they take on Saarikoski Songs by fellow countryman Kaija Saariaho, a piece that was commissioned by Komsi. Saariaho’s expressive, painterly music is infused with a rare beauty that made her unique in the world of modern classical music. She passed away in June earlier this year, at 70 years of age. 

A female pioneer preceding Saariaho was Grace Williams. She studied under Vaughan Williams and became established by the mid-twentieth century, and was also Wales’ first symphonist. Her Fairest of Stars for soprano and orchestra is a shimmering, beautiful piece with text from John Milton’s Paradise Lost.

Sinfonia da Requiem from 1940 was a Japanese commission for a piece of music in celebration of the 2600-year anniversary of the founding of the Japanese Empire. Pacifist Benjamin Britten provided an incredibly powerful, yet deeply fateful work that surprised everyone.  

The concert begins with music by American Andrew Norman (born 1979), which the Los Angeles Times described as “the leading American composer of his generation.” We hear his imaginative, vivid, and – as the title suggests – loose-lipped Unstuck.

Since 2016, the Royal Stockholm Philharmonic Orchestra (RSPO) offers one year of training on site at Konserthuset Stockholm. The RSPO Orchestra Academy aims to give participating musicians heightened knowledge and understanding of the profession. The young musicians receive individual tuition on their instrument by tutors that are predominantly leaders and principals of the orchestra.

In addition, extensive chamber music playing is a vital part of the course. In this programme we hear music by Finnish Kaija Saariaho – one of the great composers of our time who passed away this summer at 70, and by Julius Röntgen (1855–1932) – Dutch composer who by the way was the husband of Swedish composer Amanda Maier Röntgen. The programme also includes music by the academist and double bassist Adrian Eriksson and the main act: Mozart’s populär clarinet quintet.

Konserthuset Stockholm at Hötorget is one of Sweden’s great architectural masterpieces. Created during a period of expansion in Stockholm, by the Swedish architect Ivar Tengbom, it opened in 1926. Konserthuset Stockholm was built for the Royal Stockholm Philharmonic Orchestra and has since the start been the dedicated venue for the Nobel Prize Award Ceremony as well as many other prestigious events.

• The guided tour is held in Swedish.
• Maximum 25 persons/tour.

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