Ze Festival in Växjö: Tengstrand-08
Watch videos from the festival in the “Video” section!
May 5:
I had a potato in the audience today! One of Lenin’s little potatoes, just like the girls and boys in this video:
What kind of a twisted person comes to a concert just to try to destroy it by shouting to me that I am “oförskämd” (without shame) to call Lenin “cold-hearted”? This was not a political program, but I intended to speak about how someone who was responsible for the telegram below could still feel strongly for Beethoven’s music. What a pathetic, tragic person. And a Potato.
The following is a telegram sent by Lenin to the communist authorities in Nizjnij-Novgord, 11 August 1918. Source: Library of Congress exhibition.
“Comrades! The revolt by the five kulak volost’s must be suppressed without mercy. The interest of the entire revolution demands this, because we have now before us our final decisive battle with the kulaks. We need to set an example.
1) You need to hang (hang without fail, so that the public sees) at least 100 notorious kulaks, the rich, and the bloodsuckers.
2) Publish their names.
3) Take away all of their grain.
4) Execute the hostages - in accordance with yesterday’s telegram.
This needs to be accomplished in such a way, that people for hundreds of miles around will see, tremble, know and scream out: let’s choke and strangle those blood-sucking kulaks.
Telegraph us acknowledging receipt and execution of this. Yours, Lenin
P.S. Use your toughest people for this.”
——————————————————————————————————————
Great photo by Majsan
Ze Encore…
Time for the concert at Restaurant PM tomorrow, that is SUCH a great place. The food, the people, the atmosphere…amazing! And then, on Monday: Lenin and Beethoven!!!
April 29: I e-mailed something to all the people who guessed…some e-mails bounced back, so send me a message if you didn’t recieve it!
OK, today I’m all set to start e-mailing the thing I have promised everyone who guessed in the contest! It will take a few hours, have patience…
Hmmm…I hear that someone called “Arsinoe” or something like that on The Ark forum, had 4 correct guesses in the Arkeology Contest. I can’t believe we missed that, Jonas and I doublechecked all the guesses so many times. But, there were 5 people who had 4 songs and we e-mailed them all but one didn’t answer with the final question…maybe some e-mail problem? Anyway, contact me if you see this!
April 28:
Sorry I didn’t write today, it was crazy with the concert with Sven Wollter and the wonderful musicians. But, better late than never!
PARTY! This is a picture from someone’s hotel room at 4am Sunday morning…I’m behind the guy to the right. This is how it is when you have a concert with Trondheim Soloists, FUN! I have to say that we look a lot more sober than we were…(well, except this guy playing with the lamp)
OK, I have recieved this from Jonas. I had to torture him and threaten him to never play the piece again before he would give the list, HAHA.
TATA! Here is the list!
From Jonas:
So, here we are. The announcing of the 8 songs included in AN ARKEOLOGY. First the list, and then some thoughts:
AN ARKEOLOGY
* Absolutely No Decorum
* All I Want Is You
* Hey Modern Days
* Echo Chamber
* Let Me Down Gently
* No End
* Thorazine Corazon
* Calleth You, Cometh I
I talked to some of you after the concert in Växjö, and was very pleased that very many of you actually heard many of the songs included, even though I have moved all of the songs from the Ark world to the classical world. Almost everyone heard C Y C I, No End and A N D (except the journalists from the local newspaper! 
), probably because the themes/melodies were played just as heard with The Ark (but of course played by piano or violin instead of sung by Ola).
Echo Chamber turned out in a completely new enviroment, and I have cut the theme/melody into very little pieces and moved them around. But you were many that heard it. Excellent! Thorazine Corazon was played in a beautiful piano version, and was very far away from the original.
The three last songs were all extremely difficult to hear… Mainly because I didn’t choose the actual melody (verse or chorus), but maybe a thing from a guitar, bass och piano…
And don’t forget: writing music is just the first part of a concert. The work from Per and the orchestra brings all my papers of music to life. Fantastic work from all of them! I will never forget Per playing C Y C I like time had stopped. Magic. Magic…
Thank you for coming to the concert, thank you for all your kind words, the beautiful flowers and for the major applause in both concerts. It’s because people like you all that we continue to work!
All the best from a very tired but satisfied conductor/arranger/composer,
Jonas
Hello Everyone!
Thank you everyone who came to Växjö Konserthus last night…for us on stage it was magic. So much fun, so many incredible moments (the new version of Calleth is just one example). And I was so happy to be able to “meet” Ola’s fans…I loved having them as a big part of the audience. I think Ola has the best fans in the world, because he is the man he is.
Until the last minute before the concert it was quite chaotic. We hadn’t had the computer work ready for Kalle (McFaul)’s concerto until one hour before the concert, so we didn’t really know how the drum loops sounded, but I thought they were really cool. I was constantly forgetting where I put my sheet music also! But once the concert started it felt like fun…I loved the dancer in the beginning, and one of the funniest things was when we talked a little on stage the second show and I tried to do some Bellydancing, I must have looked SOOOO stiff! It is VERY hard to do what she does, I can tell you that.
We had fun backstage, but sometimes Ola and I get into an interesting discussion and we forget that we will be on stage in two minutes. But once on stage, Ola is 200% the artist, and it’s fascinating. Not many artists has that gigantic stage charisma, and then off stage they are so free of being pretentious or just thinking about themselves. Ola is one of a kind, and I’m honored to be able to make music with him!
I will write more later, last night hasn’t really sunk in yet…anything you want ask, go ahead!
Thank you everyone who came to Växjö and who comes to this site, and thanks everyone for guessing the Arkeology Contest. I’m sending out a gift to everyone who guessed today, and will also announce the songs here later tomorrow!
What a night…I just have to get something to eat, but I did create a new post where you can post any thoughts or greetings or anything else. It’s here.
April 26:
OK; the countdown is now in HOURS not in days.
Here is interview and funny video from today’s Smålandsposten…
April 25:
So far, so good with the tooth, not too bad. Just have to get used to chew with one side for some days…Today, interviews and rehearsals late tonight. Ola will meet the orchestra for the first time, this will be so much fun!!! See you all tomorrow (well, many of you…). Ola’s new song rocks!
There is no radio from the concert, though…sorry 
April 24: TOOTHACHE!
Toothache, just a word when you don’t have it, but when you have it…Shan-shan told me his great Chinese saying: “Toothache doesn’t kill you, but it takes your living away”.
So, I have an appointment to get my wisdom tooth pulled out 2 days before the concert…perfect timing! It’s in about an hour…I will write more when I get back. We had a blast rehearsing last night, the music, the music…is so fantastic!
April 22:
Smooth flight! OK, so about the Arkeology contest: Jonas and I will look through all the results on Thursday and it seems we have more than one person with the best guesses…so now we have to find a way to have some kind of Play-Off here! Any ideas?
April 21: OK, time to leave for Sweden…and then right away to Norway to rehearse with Trondheim Soloists. It seems like a pretty empty flight, let’s hope so…this is how it looks like from where I’m sitting…this is a boring day at work for a pianist:
It will be an intense week for sure, but it will feel so good to make some music and to meet the audiences. And so far, no crisis yet…
April 18:
Time is flying, and there are so many notes…spring has really arrived here, it always does right before I have to leave for Sweden. Leaving on Monday night, so tomorrow Sunday will be stressful as always…oh well. With all the work here I didn’t have time to visit any hairdresser, so I squeezed that in on Monday before the flight. Right now I look like those guys in the Björn Skifs Video in Silly Stuff.
All the people involved for the AND-concert seem to be ready to rock! I love the discussion on the forum, take a look!
How cool is this! Emma, that is great work…
http://i28.tinypic.com/2cofv54.png
April 15:
Spent the night in the famous Steinway Basement on 57th street: that’s where Rachmaninoff and Horowitz met for the first time, and they played through Rachs 3rd concerto. It’s truly the best place in the world for practicing, some hundred grand pianos around you undergroound in complete isolation. Wonderful. Got the beginning of Jonas arrangement of Calleth: …it…will…be…so…incredibly…OK, I should stop hightening the already high expectations!
April 13:
A good day…I did some good work at the piano, some organizing stuff with the festival, and NJ Devils won against NY Rangers! Hope to keep up the work with the music, so many notes to be played in this festival. It’s wonderful, though!
It’s amazing how many little details has to be taken care of for a show like this…and then, when it happens, one has to forget about it and just give the audience it all! But we have the best people possible on stage for exactly that…
April 12:
Yay! I have several pages of “Spallation Source”, the third movement of McFaul’s concerto! I will start practicing hard tomorrow. Take a look at the little teaser on the “Forum” page!
April 9:
Did you know that Lenin was obsessed with Beethoven?
Take a look…
The festival program is here, and I’m really proud of it…Tengstrand-08 is the extremely humble name of the festival.
Well, here is a trailer for the first concert with Ola, Jonas and the amazing Trondheim Soloists.
If you would like me to e-mail the program book on PDF, just shoot me and e-mail: per.tengstrand@gmail.com
April 7:
OK, an important announcement for the competition: if you have already submitted your list, and you feel like “heck, I should have put in that piece instead”, just write a new one, and that’s the one that counts! This is all a fun and friendly thing, so we are relaxed here…
I can also tell you that we are cooking on some surprise for all of you who have guessed…Dadadadaaaa…I won’t say no more…
April 5:
Working at the piano…calling Kalle McFaul to stress him to send me the last movement of his Concerto. Trying out a very interesting accelerando in “An Arkeology”. Hmmm…wonder what Jonas would think of it.
April 4:
I red about the chaos with Malmö Opera and tickets, Jesus Christ!
I hope everything has been smooth in dealing with this festival?
April 3:
I have read in some forums that it’s hard to find affordable travel to Växjö on a Saturday…well, SJ sucks sometimes. I found this bus from Stockholm for 390 (300 for “ungdom”) one-way and 780 (600) both ways:
It gets to Växjö at 15.30, so for the 16 concert it might be tight, but for the one starting at 19 it should be fine. Seems like that bus company is going to and from many places . If anyone has more ideas how to get there, please leave a comment!
The Arkeology contest is on, just click on the contest button above…we are having so much fun following your thoughts, it’s great! Oh, Jonas asked me to clarify that there are 8 songs INCLUDING the one in the trailer. Guess away! For those of you who have already guessed on this thread we give you the choice of staying with that or you can put a revised one in the new thread.
April 1:
OK, some news (and it’s not an April’s fools joke 
1) I just got off the phone with Ola, and we decided on the encore for the concert on the 26th…all I can say is that I thought this concert couldn’t be better but it just did…wow.
2) Christina’s comment here is really interesting, and we are thinking of having a competition on guessing which The Ark-songs will be in the orchestra piece: there are eight in it, one you can hear in the trailer. How about you sending your list of eight and then the one coming closest will get the score with Ola’s autograph on it? What do you think?
The evening will be absolutely magic…
I just read this on The Arks website-forum:
Pressklipp Smålandsposten 2008-04-26
“Ett stort antal flyktingar från Arkadien har begärt tillfälligt uppehållstillstånd i Växjö. De har slagit upp sitt tältläger utanför konserthuset sedan igår kväll..”
“A great number of refugees from Arkadia have applied for temporary visas to Växjö. They have put up their tents in front of the Concert House since yesterday…”
Hahaha…that is so funny.
I’ll send it to you as soon as I will see it. There is all the info you possibly need. I will also do some good old bloggin’ about how things are going, so check back
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The trailer is awesome. Now it will be quite thrilling to guess which Ark songs that will be featured in the Arkology. I have been nagging about “Joy Surrender” in a classical costume before, so I really hope for that one. But I suppose “Radical” will be a good guess too. And “No End”, of course.
Oh well, it will be a nice surprise to have it revealed on the Very Day. Can’t wait …
I love the idea but you are too skimpy if you just offer Ola’s autograph. If I win, I demand yours and Jonas’ autographs too …
oops, I meant “your autograph”. Sorry!
Haha…I promise, there will be Ola’s, mine and Jonas, too! And of course a personal dedication!
And thanks Christina, it was your comment that gave the idea to this!
Very good idea from Christina!! It inspires me to listen to” the old songs” in a new way.
I do long for more from “2000-Lightyears of darkness”. It helped me a lot when I lost my mother and the music really moves me every time I listen to it.
I hope/belive that piece of poetry will be represented. and I’ve alway been a great fan of Disease in classical ways. Never heard it, but hope I will. The Glad Yeah, Homecomer, some of the b-sides would be greatness. I’d also like to hear Mein Herr from Cabaret, although that’s not Ark, but Ola has done it before! He just have to practise the lyrics a little..
Sorry for my terrible spelling.
So my list as follows:
decorum
calleth (since I’ve read somewhere about these I’m quite sure about them)
disease
piece of poetry
tell me this night is over
bottleneck or maybe this sad bouqet, not sure about those..
clamour for glamour or no, I think die young, no I don’t know..
no end
i dont know if i cheated..?
With Love /Kajsa.
hey wait, am I to early? There really isn’s a true comp. yet is there?
I hope/belive that piece of poetry will be represented. and I’ve alway been a great fan of Disease in classical ways. Never heard it, but hope I will. The Glad Yeah, Homecomer, some of the b-sides would be greatness. I’d also like to hear Mein Herr from Cabaret, although that’s not Ark, but Ola has done it before! He just have to practise the lyrics a little..
Sorry for my terrible spelling.
,my list:
calleth
decorum
no end
die young
disease
this sad bouqet OR let your body..
uriel
tell me this night..
i don’t know, so many i think could be it, but I dont know. this is mylist.
If I’d win, I wouldn’t mind not getting the autographs though. Sorry, weird I know. Not really into trashing things ;).
With Love /Kajsa.
The competition just started! Kajsa, which one list of the two do you want to be your official one? Your spelling is excellent, by the way
I’d guess that it would be something like this;
Absolutely No Decorum
Calleth You, Cometh I
One Of Us Is Gonna Die Young
Hey Kwanongoma (i dunno, this song just screams out that it wanna be in this thingy)
It Takes A Fool To Remain Sane
Let Your Body Decide
2000 Lightyears Of Darkness
Od Slatrom Ekil
Though, I really want This Piece Of Poetry to, but I don’t think you guys would choose it.
Though number two - if I win, I just want the glory, no autographs.
Hope for this Arkeology:
Absolutely no decorum
Joy surrender
It takes a fool to remain sain
Bottleneck barbiturate
Tell me this night is over
A virgin like me
The most radical thing
This piece of poetry is meant to (taking a chance)
That was my eight songs list into the competition.
Now It did it again! Atleast told me something was wrong, when I post this, my other answer probly show up ;).
Im sticking with my first answer Per, but those songs, that’s just a lot of wishful thinking…
/kajsa
You’re fine Kajsa, by now your comments are automatically “approved”…it works like this: to prevent spam and stuff, the first time you leave a comment I have to “approve” it. But once approved, always approved…
I can´t even say how much I look forward to the Växjö concert!
My guess for the Arkology is:
Calleth
Absolutely no decorum
The most radical…
Joy surrender
It takes a fool…
Father of a son
New Pollution
Angelheads
Why does it have to be 8 songs? Why not 30? It is so hard to choose.
I look forward to receiving the autographs in Växjö! On stage, or in the lobby: it´s your choice
Because of Jonas comment that Calleth is included I have to revise my list of Arkeology. This is very hard as I was quite confident after the first posted one.
Calleth you Cometh I
Joy surrender
Racing with rabbits
Bottleneck barbiturate
Let me down gently
A virgin like me
The most radical thing
This piece of poetry is meant to.
/ Annika
Don´t worry, Per. Everything have work perfectly: booking and getting the tickets.
As it should! Which means that all my energy is focused on looking forward to the concert! I´m sure that it will be a magical evening!
I agree; all practical arrangements were a breeze to me. This, combined with the friendly and personal reception here and this funny little contest, gives me the feeling of being invited to a nice party rather than just going to a concert. But the entertainment detail will be unusually good, I think …
(To say the least.)
Now, I really don’t want to insinuate that JCS will be something bad, though. On the contrary, I think it will be a great event. The lead singer is good, so I’ve heard.
Everything has been smooth about booking for the festival. Ticnet also advised a good cheap hotel room. But what to do in Växjö waiting for the consert? What to do in this for me unknown city. Is there anything you shouldn`t miss? About Linne´? Or..?
You guys are so much fun, and I’m so happy that things are working smoothly! The Malmö-debacle is a SHAME! Who will step up and take some personal responsibility for this’?
Växjö of 2008 is a great town to visit, which was not the case when I grew up there…
For you who want to take a wonderful long walk:
Walk around Växjösjön…it’s so beautiful.
For those of you who want to just hang out, or to eat well:
Easy…Restaurant P.M., if you want a 7-course menu, or just sit and get some spring sun with an espresso, this is the place. Voted the eight best restaurant in Sweden, but it’s not expensive, just so damn good!
For those of you who wants some more culture:
Visit the Emigrant Museum,the only one in Sweden dedicated to the tens of thousands of Smålänningar who emigrated to the U.S.
Also, visit Linnéparken for example, or just walk on the promenade with walking only which is the main street in the town…look out for some wise words written on the street from famous people…
The great thing is that it SHOULD be nice, spring-weather!
You still have plenty of time to reply to this question, Per, but before I forget: I wonder how much time there will be between the two concerts. I also wonder if there will be refreshments served in the pause … or if it then will be model little cookie or something with more substance.
This is not a demand or a “fine hint”, just an attempt to plan the evening in an optimal way. After all, we are many who will come travelling to Växjö just for this event. I somehow feel like my own grandmother when I think of myself bringing my own sandwiches with me but - granny had a point there, actually.
Hmmm…that is a good point. Let me get back to you on that.
Poor Per! I wish you good and quick recovery!
And I hope you don’t use snuff (”snus”). A friend of mine was addicted and could not resist a little pinch the same day he’d taken a tooth out …
I have never seen anyone with that face colour before. Sort of light green …
Anyway, good that it happened today and not later. See you in a few days.
Can’t wait!
Woho, I just realized i was mentioned in Per’s blog! How cool is this?!? I bet this is part of my five minutes of fame they say everybody get some way or another (or was it fifteen?)…well, no, actually I was recently interviewed in Sydsvenskan about the Malmö-spectacle…but those two add up to five minutes all together, haha.
Per, thank you for the wonderful Växjö info and good luck with the dentist!
And one more thing, there is a rumor that this first day of the festival will be broadcast on radio. Is that true?
Also, while i keep my fingers crossed that the dentist did a good job, you should keep your fingers crossed that I will make it all the way to Växjö (that’s a 4 hour drive) with my shitty car or two seats on row 9 will be empty…
I will keep my fingers crossed, Emma, indeed! The norwgian dentist was wonderful and did a good job. But I still have this strange swololen cheek, though. It would be nice if that would go away until tomorrow…
Christina, thanks! I do not use snuff, so I’m fine. However, not really eating for a day is not too great. And yes, I was thinking too, that if there was a moment to get rid of that tooth before the concert it was yesterday!
Love to see you all tomorrow!
Then I hope it is your left cheek that is swollen …
We’ll have to take a profile photo of you tomorrow night, then. Could be rater artistic.
What a wonderful time of the year you picked for this. Yup, tomorrow, tomorrow …
Well … um… so there is no risk that we will be met by a big poster on the doors tomorrow afternoon, saying “CONCERT CANCELLED DUE TO TOOTHACHE”??
No way. Nooo way!
Absolutely no decorum
Calleth you commeth i
the most radical thing to do
echo chamber
new pollution
let your body decide
bottleneck barbiturate
no end
Absolutely no decorum
Calleth you commeth i
the most radical thing to do
echo chamber
new pollution
let your body decide
bottleneck barbiturate
no end