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To start with something…why do you think that it is so unusual with concerts like “Absolutely No Decorum”, where different styles of music is played in the same concert?
Here is a WONDERFUL example of how to be relaxed about classical music to an audience, I just love this guy! Oy Vey Maria, that is soooo funny. (Oy Vey is a famous jewish expression). When they all start to sing I get the chills…
Here is a little teaser of Karl’s concerto…
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I think we will see much more of this in the future, actually. There seems to be a rather silly, general opinion that if you like THIS, you cannot like THAT. And therefore we must have one concert for this and one for that, and the audience is not supposed to be the same. Of course this also has to do with the - in my opinion - even more crazy idea that you buy a lifestyle together with the music. Personally I don’t. Maybe teenagers do.
I think musicians themselves serve as models here: if a classical musician turns out to be an avid The Ark fan (for example …
or if a famous rock musican like Ola Salo turns out to be fond of church music or old Russian composers, then the fans will be curios. The behaviour of established musicians will simply generate new ideas with their fans and I think everyone will benefit from this. There is so much to discover out there, so many fields in the world of music to cover, and you will become spiritually richer the more you can grasp from this. It is important that the listeners get these models, because otherwise they will remain the victims of some smart “hit makers” and producers who simply decide which song will become a hit, by having it played one zillion times a week on the radio … 
So I urge you established musicians out there to be open with your diversity in music. Your fans will follow. You should no be proud when you say “I only deal with Beethoven” or “I just listen to hip hop”. It may be your choice, but nothing to boast about. Therefore I appreciate the initiative with the opening concert in Tengstrandsfestivalen very much. Composers like Ola Salo also prooves that you write better music if you allow yourself to grab influences from just about everywhere …
This was wonderful to read, Christina, and inspiring to me. I think you are right. One thing that I told Karl the other day s that I have not seen any negative reaction to the fact that it will not ONLY be Ola and The Ark-music, but Ola’s fans seems to be genuinly happy to get some classical music too!
It’s interesting that we play Karl McFaul’s piece at this concert, because he had a big influence on me to see that all genres had a lot to give, and as you put it that there is so much to discover. He has written this piano concerto, as well as hits for Papa Dee, you know. And his favorite composer is Rachmaninoff. I hope this is the future of music.
You asked Per, why is it so unusual with this kind of concerts? I think the concert “Absolutely No Decorum” is new in several ways.It has a message that is totally age integrating and it contains music of so great diversity that a teenager can go to the concert with her mother or grandmother. And all of them will enjoy it. It even brings them closer together as they have this special experience to share. So my opinion is that this kind of concert is ageless ( at least regarding to the audience). That is very radical and new Per!! So new that you are one of the first to dare to arrange something like this.
For myself I am sure that diversity with mindfulness is the future of music and of everything!
That is a great take on it Marianne. I actually have seen comments like “I’m going with my mother” etc. And that IS great, I feel so proud reading this!
I would like to know more about your music for mothers, Per! How did you get the idea and why Mozart? Have you had any reactions from mothers? And others?
Another question! Is it necessary to write everything here in English?
Well in a way, maybe…
Rhapsody in Rock with Robert Wells that has been touring for 10 years has had that idea of mixing different music stills? I don’t know how he is received among classical musicians. But I do think he has helped many people to “cross the genre line”
But I do think this is going to be in a different way, I’m smiling because last summer was my first ever with Rock concerts, Rock festivals and it was so fun being older among all these teens and some young adults, use to this kind of environment, and they allowed me in to their world.
The same feeling I wish for all of them listening to this Classical concert, maybe the first time in a concert hall.
Marianne, if you feel better in Swedish you can write in Swedish, but you write so well in English so I don’t see why
There are people from many different countries coming here, which is wonderful, so I think it’s nice to write as much as possible in English. Just yesterday, I recieved an e-mail from someone in Mexico saying he thought the comments on this forum were so good and interesting!
Mozart for Mothers…well, it came to me as the Mozart year approached, and I was thinking of doing something a little special. I heard about the effect Mozart’s music has on newly born’s breathing, and I thought is was so fascinating. Apparently they breathe more calmly and even when they hear Mozart’s music. So I put together some friends and we recorded some music that could be well suited for a baby in the stomach. And the more we thought of it, the better it felt, since today’s world is so full of noise! The poor little kid in the stomach hears everything and what a nice thing for him/her to hear som Mozart…
I actually started to use some of the tracks myself, when I felt to stressed, and it always worked. Especially the slow movement of the Clarinet Quintet.
I have had many positive comments from Mothers, and they all enjoy the music. I know one “dagis”, daycarecenter, that uses it in the morning to make the children more harmonic and focused. I’m very happy that the CD will be given again now in Växjö to pregnant women. I really hope it will continue!
As for Robert Wells, and the Rhapsody in Rock, I’m not sure since I never really saw it. My impression is that there is a symphony orchestra, but they never really play any classical music. Maybe I’m wrong, anyone knows more?
I think it’s wonderful how generations can be brought together with music. First time we played some of Karl’s piece in a concert hall, the elder audience went gaga when hearing the funky drumloops! It was great.
OK, so I can proove that the theory about unborn babies listening to music. I have always, as long as I can remember, had a special relation to Mozart’s famous 21st piano concert, known as “Elvira Madigan”. Not just the second movement, but all three of them. I think I can sing every single tune of the concert by heart. I loved laying on the sofa and just listen, and somewhere in the 3rd movement I was always somewhere beyond time and space, in a slight musical euphoria.
One day I happened to tell my mother that I loved this record so much, and she smiled and said “yes, that’s the one I used to relax to when I was pregnant with you”.
So, it turned out that I heard this concert long before I was born …
For fun, I and my daughter some years ago experienced with singing for our chickens while they still were in the eggs and we got much more calm and friendly hens then we used to get. And they still are. There is a difference!
Now I practice this on my students! And I need all ideas about stress relaxing music from you Per and everyone!
Another question to Per,Ola and Jonas! Do you know any future for Arkeology or is it too early to say?
When can we for example buy it? Do you have any plans yet?
Those stories are amazing! And so funny!
I would suggest the Clarinet Quintet, slow movement, the first movement works well, too.
We haven’t had the time to discuss about recording Arkeology yet, but we will keep you posted, promise…
Fantastic forum! Keep discussing! Just as Per said, many people go here just to read, so there’s a good reason why we sit in front of our computers thinking of english grammar…
About Mr Wells. I’ve actually visited a few concerts. One of my best friends played in the string section for many years. I leave every concert thinking the same thing: Some REALLY nice songs (good band, fantastic artists), WAAAAY too long concerts and too little classical music (often 2 classical and 26 rock-songs, and of course 5 medleys on top of that). So my frustration is not about Wells playing rock, pop, disco etc, he and his band does that really well! I’m frustrated about him having 30 musicians and limiting himself to pop! What about for example piazzolla? There are much more stuff you could do whith that orchestra…
And just as Per said about AN ARKEOLOGY, first thing is to perform it…
Wednesday is the first rehearsal, and you can all start thinking about how excited I am!
What is piazzola?
And Jonas, don`t worry! You can`t manage to make An Arkeology a bad thing! So enjoy it!
Thanks for your words, Marianne! Piazzolla is a composer, borderline jazz/classical/tango. Played by jazz musicians, classical musicians and folk musicians.
Here’s little video clip from youtube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RUAPf_ccobc
The cello player is called Yo-Yo Ma and is one of the world’s most famos classical cello players (if not the most famous??) and he’s playing together with a band of musicians with clearly different background. This song, as all of his music, ia arranged for many different ensembles and orchestras. I wonder if Per played any Piazzolla..? Or maybe not his kind of music..?
Jonas, I have no idea how many fanatic Ark fans who have bought tickets to the concerts, but let’s conclude I’m not the only one.
I think this is the most guaranteed success you’ve ever experienced. Good luck with the rehearsal!
Anyway, back to Mr. Wells. After what the rumours say, he is an excellent classical piano player. Actually I have never heard any Rhapsody In Rock show (I’m from outer space, I know) but I would love to hear him play some classical music.
Yes, what IS piazzola???
Sorry, we made simulatenous postings. Thanks for the explanation.
Very typical that you say this is the most famous cello player in the world and my only reaction is: “never heard of … ”
Now I’ll check that link out and learn something new!
…and since this i a homepage of a classical pianist, I couldn’t resist postign this video of the same tune that Yo-Yo Ma played, but arranged for 2 pianists instead. ENJOY!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R0INlumRpL8&feature=related
I TOTALLY understand that it’s mpossible to know every classical player inthe world, hehe. I discovered Yo-Yo Ma when I worked in a record store in Malmö. He has released MANY records…
I just realised that I did the same thing that happens to me all the time: people expect that just because you work in the music business, you know everything about everyting… Which I don’t.
Just the other weekend I visited some friends in Stockholm and in the middle of a discussion, they started talking about some record company in Sweden that’s supposed to be the largest in that genre. “Huh?” Was my only adding to that discussion. Dissappointed friends… 
No, no, no, that’s Per Tengstrand, of course!!
I love that link with the two pianists. I will suggest Ola that we do a similar thing with a guitar …
No, just kidding. I cannot even play the guitar. Anyway, the idea is very funny.
This is so much fun to read!!!
Ah yes, I actually have posted Greg and Elizabeth’s Piazolla video as an example of a good video here before, I love it. And they were kind also to write and thank me about it. I love their stuff.
The fact that Marianne now know and have heard some Piazolla is EXACTLY what this forum is about, it’s great, great, great!
Uhhh…Pullman, Jordan? Have to look that up….
As to Robert Wells…I think he is a wonderful boogiewoogie-pianist in the tradition of Charile Norman, his idol as I understand. He is also one of the hardest working people in music today, and that gets my respect. But I have to agree with Jonas…why being so afraid to throw some real classical music to his aidence? It seems to me that if you don’t dare to do that, you underestimate them a little. I could NOT do the Aboslutely No Decorum concert without at least one straight, classical piece like Grieg Holberg Suite.
I have got two new idols this morning! I love to hear YO-YO MA and Bobby Mc Ferrin playing together in “Hush Little Baby”. It`s so amusing and you get so happy! You Tube is sometimes a very good thing!
It´s wonderful when new worlds are opening for you, isn´t it? That there are more to know out there! I´m so grateful!
I learned a new word- Piazzolla Thank you Jonas for the links they were great.
I am not so experianced at all in this world of music or in the Rock world of music. I just enjoy a lot of different kind of music. kind of like the person walking in the woods listening to the birds singing with out knowing their names…
Sorry that is me!
Much better enjoying the music than knowing the names! I had a discussion about this the other day…that the “who is a famous name” is such a disease in music. I have heard very famous pianists play like total crap and I have heard completely unknown artists play so that time stopped. Well, I suspect you all know this…by the way, am I the only one who finds YoYo Ma looking a little sille when he plays with “non-classical” players’? They just seem to play the music, but he has to make sure that everybody sees that “hey, look, I’m a classical musician but I’m having real fun here”…
Oh, by the way, I enjoy Bobby McFerrin almost more than any classical musician!
Hey Per, don’t take this in any personal way, but many classical musicians look crazy when they play. Like I wrote in the Ark forum the other day - I prefer having my eyes closed at classical concerts. Not just because it helps me concentrate, but also because the performers sometimes look so weird that it is disturbing. Pianists get away rather easily as the piano is a “user-friendly” instrument, but people playing string instruments can have some funny postures, shaking their heads as if they were about to get an attack of some sorts and showing very strange facial expressions.
No offense! Main thing is that is SOUNDS good … We all like to interpret these poses as deep concentration, but maybe it is a bit showing off as well …?
Per, the Clarinet Quintet is wonderful music! Thank`s for the gift!
A new question:
What about Anna Tengstrand? I can`t find any presentation of her in the program more than that she will play the flute. Who is she? Your wife?Your sister? Where will we find her in the show? ( The feminist in me is awakening!)
Haha…Anna is my sister, and the reason that there is no presentation of her is that we included an extra music number at such a late hour that there was no time. I can’t tell what she is doing, because it’s a surprise.
When will we know the winner of this Arkeology contest? Do we have to wait untill the concert is over? Oh how much I’d love to come to Växjö (I think I’ll have to stay here in Finland) but I hope I’ll get a chance to hear those songs afterwards. And yes: you MUST record those songs.
Hi Laura, Jonas and I will spend some time on Thursday looking through and double+check so we get everything right…but…we have more than one winner it seems, so we have to have some kind of final. Anyone have any suggestion how to do that?
GOSH, then I know I did not win, as I have not seen anyone guessing exactly like me …
Or maybe you just got a bunch of 7-rights?
Well, it is quite easy, I think: you have to make more than one signed copy.
It would ruin all the fun if you announced the winner before the concert, because then we would know the result, but there will be a problem if the winner, or some of them, are not present in Växjö. I suggest you announce their names here on the blog right after the concerts, and then they can contact you.
I could have killed for that prize but … oh, well, such is life.
I promise to give you and Jonas the “bribe” in the bar anyway, with no strings (mwhahaha, I’m funny) attached at all. Just because you were so sweet and arranged this wonderful happening. 
Haha, we have actually several 4-rights…which is not bad!
I agree Christina, we shouldn’t announce the pieces before the concert…but we don’t have that many copies, really, we don’t! Hmmm…this needs some creative thinking…
So, if you decide to make several copies (like… with a copy machine?), will you send them via mail to the winners or what? I think that would be the easiest way, and if there’s a change to get a dedication, maybe the winners should contact you and so on. Oh wow, it’s been so exiting to wait for the results. I have a feeling that my guess wasn’t the winner one, but I’m sure you mentioned something about “prize for everyone”…
If I understood right, did you said that the best guess includes 4 songs right???
Oh, I suppose you’re on track of who has guessed what, I hope you don’t get confused with the people (as some of us have the same names - like I do, I noticed).
Impartial opinion:
I think that the fair thing to do with the contest, is that you give the partitur to the person who gave the first correct answer. ‘Cos the aswers have been out for everyone to see, you can’t be sure if the later answers have been copied.
Or just do a rafle between all the people who got the songs right.
If we start with swedish music, Stenhammar, Peterson-Berger, Alfvén, Lars-Erik Larsson are often mentioned. A lot of great music, with Stenhammar as my absolute favourite! My personal all time favourie of Stenhammar that I heard when I was young is the recording of “Florez och Blanzeflor” with swedish singer Peter Mattei and Malmö Symphony Orchestra. You can buy it fron http://www.cdon.com. Th record is called “Pianokonsert 1 B-moll Op 1″, and the song is included. If you ask me, best swedish male singer, and one of the most beautiful swedish songs written! You can probably borrow it at large public libraries as well… Don’t miss!
Also, go to Per’s site on myspace (www.myspace.com/pertengstrand) and listen to Per playing the fantastic Piano concerto by Stenhammar!
Great subject, this! The first Stenhammar concerto I have played many times, and I love it to death. Luckily, Neeme Jarvi loves it too so he asked me to play it many times.
I actually have a live recording with Neeme and Gothenburg Symphony, maybe I’ll put it up here (shhh…).
The quartets by Stenhammar, that’s my very favorite…so beautiful.
Then there is a for me newly-found composer, not Swedish but Russian. Nikolai Kapustin.Shan-shan is recording some of his pieces now, and I just edited one yesterday. You can listen to that one here:
http://mindfeel.files.wordpress.com/2008/05/mp3a.mp3
What do you think?
I note that I have learn more about Stenhammar. My main memory from this composer is that one of the top-students at the local music school in my hometown played him once and I … did not like it. So, I guess I have to give this a try. (I TRUST you guys in these days, you know!)
On the other hand, I am very fond of Peterson-Berger. Tried to play first part of Frösöblomster and although I never managed to do it well, I have a remaining, romantic memory of Swedish summer nights … cool, green, filled with Nordic mysticism.
There is music that create NOTHING in my mind, and still it can be very good although the experience is totally abstract. But there is also music that create very strong images within.
I’ll check these links out.
This morning I had a beautiful time, having breakfast in my garden among flowers and birds while I was listening to Stenhammars music. I found some piece(by Neeme Jarvi) in our library.
But hello Per! Why don´t you tell us that you are going to play at National museum in their Summer Night Concert program? Wow!! That´s the best thing you can do in summer in Stockholm! To sit (not very comfortable) in this beautiful old house and enjoy magic music
is a great tradition. As a member of” Natonalmusei vänner” I´m so happy you will come!
To those of you who want to go there: By your tickets as soon as possible. It´s very popular! I know you will play Nordic music Per, but what? Is it a secret?
Neeme is the King! Yes, yes, I will play at Nationalmuseum, thrilled about it! And true, those are popular concerts. This is the program, certainly Nordic!:
Wilhelm Stenhammar:
ur “Sensommarnätter” op. 33
Tranquillo e Soave
Presto Agitato
Poco Allegretto
Esa-Pekka Salonen:
Dichotomie (2000)
Mécanisme
Organisme
Paus
Frédéric Chopin:
Ballade f-moll op. 52
Tre Valser op. 34
Edvard Grieg:
“Hommage à Chopin” op. 73 nr. 5
Ballade g-moll op. 24
Just a quick Thank You! for your performance in Stockholm tonight.
It was just fabulous!
That was just what the Dr ordered! And yes more drivers in Stockholm should have needed it to!