Jan Sandström (composer)
Encyclopedia
Jan Sandström is a Swedish classical music
composer
, known for the so-called Motorbike Concerto for trombone and orchestra and his choral setting of Es ist ein Ros entsprungen
.
. He studied at the Luleå University of Technology
's Piteå School of Music
(1974–1976) and completed his music training at the Royal College of Music, Stockholm
, studying music theory (1978–1982) and composition with Gunnar Bucht
, Brian Ferneyhough
and Pär Lindgren (1980–1984).
He joined the faculty of the Piteå School of Music
in the 1980s and was appointed professor of composition in 1989.
In 1988 to 1989 he composed his first concerto for trombone and large orchestra, which became famous as the Motorbike Concerto, revised in 2002 to a Motorbike Odyssey. In 1990 he composed Es ist ein Ros entsprungen
(Det är en ros utsprungen), placing the familiar Praetorius
setting in slow motion in an eight-part a cappella
setting.
In 1991 he completed Från Mörker till Ljus (From Darkness to Light) for reader, baritone and chamber orchestra, based on poems by Folke Isaksson, were inspired by an altarpiece from Antwerp in Gammelstad, with a focus on the Passion
. The poems are partly spoken, partly sung, some accompanied by the orchestra, the thenth of 14 movements, Klarheten (Clarity), is purely orchestral. The work was recorded in 2002 with the singer of the premiere, Peter Mattei
, speaker Sven Wollter
and the Norrbotten Chamber Orchestra, conducted by Petter Sundkvist.
In 2008 his Rekviem (Requiem
) on a Swedish text by Christine Falkenland was first performed at Stockholm's Hedvig Eleonora Church. A review summarized: "99% Pärt
, 1% Bach
".
In 2009 his ballet The Tale of a Manor was recorded on DVD by the Royal Swedish Ballet
and the Swedish Radio Symphony Orchestra
, conducted by Jonas Dominique.
Classical music
Classical music is the art music produced in, or rooted in, the traditions of Western liturgical and secular music, encompassing a broad period from roughly the 11th century to present times...
composer
Composer
A composer is a person who creates music, either by musical notation or oral tradition, for interpretation and performance, or through direct manipulation of sonic material through electronic media...
, known for the so-called Motorbike Concerto for trombone and orchestra and his choral setting of Es ist ein Ros entsprungen
Es ist ein Ros entsprungen
"Es ist ein Ros entsprungen" , most commonly translated to English as "Lo, How a Rose E'er Blooming" or "A Spotless Rose", is a Christmas carol and Marian Hymn of German origin.-History:...
.
Career
Sandström grew up in StockholmStockholm
Stockholm is the capital and the largest city of Sweden and constitutes the most populated urban area in Scandinavia. Stockholm is the most populous city in Sweden, with a population of 851,155 in the municipality , 1.37 million in the urban area , and around 2.1 million in the metropolitan area...
. He studied at the Luleå University of Technology
Luleå University of Technology
Luleå University of Technology or Luleå tekniska universitet of Sweden is Scandinavia's northernmost university of technology. It has four campuses, located in Luleå , Kiruna , Skellefteå and Piteå .-History:The university was founded on 1 June 1971 at Porsön in Luleå as...
's Piteå School of Music
Piteå School of Music
Piteå School of Music is a music school located in Piteå in northern Sweden. It is a part of the Department for music and media of the Luleå University of Technology.The school was founded in 1978....
(1974–1976) and completed his music training at the Royal College of Music, Stockholm
Royal College of Music, Stockholm
The Royal College of Music, Stockholm is the oldest institution of higher education in music in Sweden, founded in 1771 as the conservatory of the Royal Swedish Academy of Music...
, studying music theory (1978–1982) and composition with Gunnar Bucht
Gunnar Bucht
Gunnar Henrik Bucht , a Swedish composer and musicologist. Studied composition with Karl-Birger Blomdahl, Carl Orff, Max Deutsch among others.-External links:*...
, Brian Ferneyhough
Brian Ferneyhough
Brian John Peter Ferneyhough is an English composer. His music is characterized by the extensive use of complex rhythmic tuplet notation which features in all his works...
and Pär Lindgren (1980–1984).
He joined the faculty of the Piteå School of Music
Piteå School of Music
Piteå School of Music is a music school located in Piteå in northern Sweden. It is a part of the Department for music and media of the Luleå University of Technology.The school was founded in 1978....
in the 1980s and was appointed professor of composition in 1989.
In 1988 to 1989 he composed his first concerto for trombone and large orchestra, which became famous as the Motorbike Concerto, revised in 2002 to a Motorbike Odyssey. In 1990 he composed Es ist ein Ros entsprungen
Es ist ein Ros entsprungen
"Es ist ein Ros entsprungen" , most commonly translated to English as "Lo, How a Rose E'er Blooming" or "A Spotless Rose", is a Christmas carol and Marian Hymn of German origin.-History:...
(Det är en ros utsprungen), placing the familiar Praetorius
Michael Praetorius
Michael Praetorius was a German composer, organist, and music theorist. He was one of the most versatile composers of his age, being particularly significant in the development of musical forms based on Protestant hymns, many of which reflect an effort to make better the relationship between...
setting in slow motion in an eight-part a cappella
A cappella
A cappella music is specifically solo or group singing without instrumental sound, or a piece intended to be performed in this way. It is the opposite of cantata, which is accompanied singing. A cappella was originally intended to differentiate between Renaissance polyphony and Baroque concertato...
setting.
In 1991 he completed Från Mörker till Ljus (From Darkness to Light) for reader, baritone and chamber orchestra, based on poems by Folke Isaksson, were inspired by an altarpiece from Antwerp in Gammelstad, with a focus on the Passion
Passion (Christianity)
The Passion is the Christian theological term used for the events and suffering – physical, spiritual, and mental – of Jesus in the hours before and including his trial and execution by crucifixion...
. The poems are partly spoken, partly sung, some accompanied by the orchestra, the thenth of 14 movements, Klarheten (Clarity), is purely orchestral. The work was recorded in 2002 with the singer of the premiere, Peter Mattei
Peter Mattei
Peter Mattei is a Swedish operatic baritone, particularly known for his performances in Mozart's baritone roles.- Biography :...
, speaker Sven Wollter
Sven Wollter
Sven Wollter is a Swedish actor. He was born and grew up in Gothenburg.Sven Wollter is an actor in Sweden and has starred in many films such as, The Man on the Roof, The Man from Majorca, Änglagård and Jerusalem, based on the novel by Selma Lagerlöf...
and the Norrbotten Chamber Orchestra, conducted by Petter Sundkvist.
In 2008 his Rekviem (Requiem
Requiem
A Requiem or Requiem Mass, also known as Mass for the dead or Mass of the dead , is a Mass celebrated for the repose of the soul or souls of one or more deceased persons, using a particular form of the Roman Missal...
) on a Swedish text by Christine Falkenland was first performed at Stockholm's Hedvig Eleonora Church. A review summarized: "99% Pärt
Arvo Pärt
Arvo Pärt is an Estonian classical composer and one of the most prominent living composers of sacred music. Since the late 1970s, Pärt has worked in a minimalist style that employs his self-made compositional technique, tintinnabuli. His music also finds its inspiration and influence from...
, 1% Bach
Bạch
Bạch is a Vietnamese surname. The name is transliterated as Bai in Chinese and Baek, in Korean.Bach is the anglicized variation of the surname Bạch.-Notable people with the surname Bạch:* Bạch Liêu...
".
In 2009 his ballet The Tale of a Manor was recorded on DVD by the Royal Swedish Ballet
Royal Swedish Ballet
The Royal Swedish Ballet is one of the oldest ballet companies in Europe. Based in Stockholm, Sweden, King Gustav III founded the ballet in 1773 as a part of his national cultural project in response to the French and Italian dominance in this field; he also founded the Royal Swedish Opera and the...
and the Swedish Radio Symphony Orchestra
Swedish Radio Symphony Orchestra
Swedish Radio Symphony Orchestra is a radio orchestra based in Stockholm, Sweden, and affiliated with Sveriges Radio . The orchestra broadcasts concerts on the Swedish Radio-P2 network....
, conducted by Jonas Dominique.
Concertos
- A dance in the subdominant quagmire for soprano recorder and string orchestra, 1994
- Flute Concerto, 2008
- Clarinet Concerto, 2001
- My assam dragon, alto saxophone concerto, 1994 (for John-Edward KellyJohn-Edward KellyJohn-Edward Kelly is an American conductor of classical music and classical saxophonist.He has performed at major concert halls in most European countries, as well as many other parts of the world, and for many years was the only classical saxophone soloist to support himself entirely by performing...
) - Trumpet Concerto No. 1, 1987 (for Håkan HardenbergerHåkan HardenbergerHåkan Hardenberger is a Swedish trumpeter. Taking up the trumpet at the age of eight under the guidance of hometown teacher Bo Nilsson, Hardenberger pursued further studies at the Paris Conservatoire, with Pierre Thibaud, and in Los Angeles with Thomas Stevens...
) - Trumpet Concerto No. 2, 1993/96 (for Håkan Hardenberger)
- Trumpet Concerto No. 3, 2007 (for Ole Edvard AntonsenOle Edvard AntonsenOle Edvard Antonsen is a Norwegian trumpeter, musician and conductor.Antonsen was born in Vang, Hedmark, now part of Hamar. He is best known as a solo trumpeter, active in different genres of music; classical music, chamber music, baroque, jazz and pop. Since the mid 2000s, he has also been...
) - Trombone Concerto No. 1, Motorcykelkonserten, 1988–89 (for Christian LindbergChristian LindbergChristian Lindberg is a Swedish trombonist, conductor and composer.As a youth, Lindberg learned to play the trumpet, and subsequently began to learn the trombone at age 17. He originally borrowed a trombone to join his friends' Dixieland jazz group, inspired by records of Jack Teagarden...
)- shortened version: A short ride on a motorbike, 1989
- revised version: A motorbike odyssey, 2002
- Trombone Concerto No. 2, Don Quixote, 1994 (for Christian Lindberg)
- Ecos de eternidad, concerto for two trombones, 2009
- The Lemon House, Tuba Concerto, 2004
- Piano Concerto No. 1, 1995
- Bona Spey, Piano Concerto No. 2, 2001
Orchestra
- Era, 1979–80
- Snowflakes for chamber orchestra, 1980/84
- Acintyas for string orchestra, 1986
- Indri, 1988/89
- Kejsarvisan, 1993
- Ocean child, 1999/2004
Opera
- Bombi Bitt, 1991–92
- Macbeth², 1996
- K. Beskrivning av en kamp (K. description of a fight), 2005
- God Natt Madame!, 2006
Choral
- Det är en ros utsprungen (Praetorius/Sandström) for two mixed choirs a cappella, 1990
- Sanctus for male or female choir, 1990, version for mixed choir 1993
- Te Deum (1996) for choir and orchestra
- Biegga luothe for mixed choir , 1998
- Across the bridge of hope for soloist and for mixed choir, 1999
- Ett svenskt requiem for choir, soloists and small orchestra, 2007, text by Christine Falkenland
Chamber music
- Wahlbergvariationer for celloCelloThe cello is a bowed string instrument with four strings tuned in perfect fifths. It is a member of the violin family of musical instruments, which also includes the violin, viola, and double bass. Old forms of the instrument in the Baroque era are baryton and viol .A person who plays a cello is...
and wind quintetWind quintetA wind quintet, also sometimes known as a woodwind quintet, is a group of five wind players . The term also applies to a composition for such a group....
, 1990- version for saxophone quartet, 1993
- Sång till Lotta for trombone and piano
External links
- Jan Sandström — Composer — official site
- Jan Sandstrum NaxosNaxos RecordsNaxos Records is a record label specializing in classical music. Through a number of imprints, Naxos also releases genres including Chinese music, jazz, world music, and early rock & roll. The company was founded in 1987 by Klaus Heymann, a German-born resident of Hong Kong.Naxos is the largest...
- Jan Sandström’s Concerto for Trombone and Orchestra: / motorbikes, postmodernism and popular success. Jim O'Leary 2008