Genre: Royal Stockholm Philharmonic Orchestra, Vocal music

Ethel Smyth's Mass

For the first time in Sweden!

Ethel Smyth (1858–1944) was exceptionally talented and went to Leipzig, which was one of the most important music cities in the nineteenth century. She met Dvořák, Tchaikovsky and Grieg there, but she found the teaching at the conservatory, which was founded by Mendelssohn-Bartholdy, to be utterly underwhelming. Instead she began studying privately under Heinrich von Herzogenberg and through him she met Clara Schumann and Johannes Brahms, who gave her significant support.

Smyth came to be a highly acclaimed personality, both as a composer and as one of the leading individuals of the suffrage movement which fought for women’s right to vote in England. In recent years, some of her music has been performed at Konserthuset, but this is the first time the programme will feature Mass in D – a Swedish premiere! The magnificent mass is constructed almost like an opera and is simultaneously melodically tasteful and intricate, dramatic and expressively imagistic. For her efforts in England, Ethel Smyth was named Dame of the British Empire.

We will also hear Bohuslav Martinů’s Violin Concerto No. 2, which unites Romanticism and Impressionism to phenomenal effect when the exquisite melodies are seasoned with adventurous and masterful violin passages. The German star violinist Frank Peter Zimmermann will perform the solo. 

For the first time in Sweden!

Friday 10 May 2019 19.00

Ends approximately 21.10

Price:

210-420 SEK

Ethel Smyth (1858–1944) was exceptionally talented and went to Leipzig, which was one of the most important music cities in the nineteenth century. She met Dvořák, Tchaikovsky and Grieg there, but she found the teaching at the conservatory, which was founded by Mendelssohn-Bartholdy, to be utterly underwhelming. Instead she began studying privately under Heinrich von Herzogenberg and through him she met Clara Schumann and Johannes Brahms, who gave her significant support.

Smyth came to be a highly acclaimed personality, both as a composer and as one of the leading individuals of the suffrage movement which fought for women’s right to vote in England. In recent years, some of her music has been performed at Konserthuset, but this is the first time the programme will feature Mass in D – a Swedish premiere! The magnificent mass is constructed almost like an opera and is simultaneously melodically tasteful and intricate, dramatic and expressively imagistic. For her efforts in England, Ethel Smyth was named Dame of the British Empire.

We will also hear Bohuslav Martinů’s Violin Concerto No. 2, which unites Romanticism and Impressionism to phenomenal effect when the exquisite melodies are seasoned with adventurous and masterful violin passages. The German star violinist Frank Peter Zimmermann will perform the solo. 

  • The music

    Approximate times
  • Bohuslav Martinu Violin Concerto No. 2
    28 min
  • Encore:
  • Béla Bartók From Sonata for violin solo
    7 min
  • Intermission
    25 min
  • Ethel Smyth Mass in D
    62 min
  • Participants

  • Royal Stockholm Philharmonic Orchestra
  • Sakari Oramo conductor
  • Eric Ericson Chamber Choir
  • Frank Peter Zimmermann violin
  • Paulina Pfeiffer soprano
  • Catriona Morison alto
  • Michael Weinius tenor
  • Tuomas Pursio bass

Friday 10 May 2019 19.00

Ends approximately 21.10

Price:

210-420 SEK