A fanfare for Berwaldhallen - The anniversary concert

Ingvar Lidholm’s majestic Fanfar (Fanfare) has sounded at least three times, and each time, it has been played by the Swedish Radio Symphony Orchestra. The first time was in June 1956, when the ISCM World Music Days festival was held in Stockholm. The fanfare was written especially for the festival, by the way. 23 years later, it was played again, when Berwaldhallen opened its doors on the 30^th of November 1979. A further 20 years thereafter, it marked the 20^th anniversary of Swedish Radio’s concert hall, and now, 40 years to the day since Berwaldhallen was opened, it’s time again. Lidholm’s fanfare, whose history is closely intertwined with the Swedish Radio Symphony Orchestra and Berwaldhallen, becomes the symbolic crown atop a fantastic concert programme.

The word ‘fantastic’ is often bandied about a bit carelessly, but here, it really is appropriate. Swedish star composer Tobias Broström’s Nigredo: Dark Night of the Soul is a virtuoso mirage, composed for two of the world’s foremost trumpet soloists, as well as an introspective, philosophical piece rooted deep down in the human psyche. Håkan Hardenberger and Jeroen Berwaerts are two of today’s best trumpet players. Berwaldhallen has proudly welcomed the world’s best conductors, musicians and guest ensembles for 40 years, and introduced them not just to the concert audience, but to all of Sweden through broadcasts via Swedish Radio’s P2 and online.

The king of the waltz, Johann Strauss the younger, who, had there been a Billboard list in the 1800s would have been the Max Martin of his time, contributes with the handsome overture of one of his most popular operettas: Die Fledermaus. It’s festive, celebratory, catchy music. It’s not a coincidence that the word jubilee comes from an old term meaning to ‘shout for joy,’ which is exactly what Strauss’ overture invites you to do – rise from your seat and shout for joy.

Don Juan, the symphonic poem that became Richard Strauss’ big international breakthrough, rounds off this magnificent jubilee programme. Here, Strauss united inspiration from his own love-life, new musical impressions, and dramatic poem Don Juan’s Ende by Nikolaus Lenau. Many view Don Juan as the first piece where the mature Strauss steps forward, and even one of his best symphonic poems. It’s extroverted, cocky and virtuosic music interpreted with the usual sensitivity and expressivity by Swedish Radio’s Symphony Orchestra’s music director Daniel Harding.

Text: David Saulesco

Actual concert time for music and intermissionn 1 hour and 12 min. Then there will be additional time for anniversary-specific activities such as presentation and surprises.