KVAST – International

Here, a Swedish ensemble presents music by both Swedish and international composers – including two world premieres. The concert is part of an international cultural exchange of music by female composers, curated and coordinated by Eva Sidén.

We will hear a piano piece by German Annette Schlünz (b. 1964) who has worked with vocal music, opera, theatre and more; two pieces by German Carola Bauckholt (b. 1959) whose music explores our perceptive abilities, and who, as a student of Mauricio Kagel, has worked over the years with a sort of instrumental theatre.

We will also hear music by no fewer than four French composers: Pascale Jakubowski (b. 1960) and Sophie Lacaze (b. 1963), who both have extensive oeuvres that cover practically every form, and Pascale Criton (b. 1954), who is also active as a researcher and has worked extensively with microtonal music and smaller ensembles. Claire Renard (b. 1944) composes electroacoustic music, sound art and performance art that is performed worldwide.

We will also hear music by the Swedish composers Kim Hedås (b. 1965) who primarily works with electroacoustic music and electronics combined with instruments; Anna Eriksson (b. 1963) who enjoys combining traditional instruments with everyday sounds (pencil sharpener, table fans, scrap metal...) and Eva Sidén (b. 1957) who is active both as a pianist and composer; she merges her compositions and sound art with art and poetry in various contexts. At this concert, we will hear the world premiere of music from the chamber opera Spirit of Gunna for voice, percussion and electronics. 

The award-winning DuoEgo consists of mezzo-soprano Monica Danielson and percussionist Per Sjögren. Danielson is one of the country’s foremost interpreters of contemporary folk music and has performed world premieres of hundreds of pieces, many with the duo. Danielson also runs an opera company, MusikTeaterVerket, which has presented the Swedish premiere of a multitude of newly composed chamber operas. Per Sjögren is active in several different contemporary music ensembles and was one of the founders of Gothenburg-based Gageego.

Sara Hammarström is one of our most in-demand flute players and has collaborated with a vast quantity of composers and ensembles in Sweden and abroad. Hammarström is a member of the ensembles Norrbotten Neo and Pärlor för Svin, and a flute soloist with the Västerås Sinfonietta.