January What’s the sound of a cold winter day with a frozen lake? I dedicate January to Nadia Boulanger, a French composer, conductor and pedagogue, because of her passion for teaching. Among those who studied with her can be mentioned – Aaron Copland, Astor Piazzolla, Per Nørgård, Elliot Carter, James Wood, Philip Glass and Quincy Jones.
February, another mallet dance… A few years ago I was written a duo by the vibraphone virtuoso Anders Åstrand. The dance for vibraphone and marimba, based on a rhythmic pattern in 12/8 played on a couple of harmonies, has since then become a favorite piece among percussion players. In February the joy of snow is in focus, but the fact that both Anders and I were born in February does not do things worse.
March, end of Winter As a young student I got in contact with the piece Tierkreis by Karlheinz Stockhausen. Chords with both major and minor took me through the sky to another universe. In March, end of Winter I would like to get the melancholic atmosphere when ices are melting and when heavy snow transforms into the rain of grey.
April There is probably no other composer than Igor Stravinskij who better interpreted the primal force of Spring. In April I have borrowed the typical syncopation of eights that in my version dances on the twelve tones.
Springtime – it’s May! What can be more beautiful than the sound of two marimbas? Steve Reich has explored this delicate color several times, not least in his Nagoya Marimbas. Happiness of the light, the bright green color and the heat we been longing for Springtime – it’s May!
Night in June What can taste better than a nice cigar after an evening with delicious meal and beverage in company with a sunset? Memories from the years gone by, memory of a friend somewhere else who still speaks to me, an euphoric ecstacy with faith for the future... Night in June is dedicated to Swedish composer Jan Tolf who was a master of writing fine melodies into a harmonious mix of contemporary music and jazz.
Köpenhamn, 2017.