Mon Bargemon

From Bargemon 2010

For the fifth time, I took part of the musical week in Bargemon, in Provence, France. Differently from other years, the final presentation wasn't a concert in the church, but a masque performed in the multi-purpose village hall. It was a wonderful week, with a lot of music, wine, football-playing (taca-taca) and, of course, photography. It was the hottest year, according to those that know, and temperatures didn't go below 30° until well after sunset.

There were also traces after the devastating rains in June, which fortunately didn't affect Bargemon as bad as Draguignan, just 25 kms away, where dozens of lives were lost. There were three small children present, Maj 4 years old, Lisa, 1,5 years, and Valdemar of only a few months. They sure helped bring down the average age of the group, and were the objects of fascination. Enjoy the photos!

La Roja's Finale

Tonight, around 200 people gathered at the riverside to follow the game between Chile and Brazil. 80 % Chileans, 10 % Brazilians and 10 % Miscellaneous. I got there with about 10 minutes left, and it seemed the three goals by Brazil had sunk into the minds of the supporters. The flags that had bounced and waved through the warm air, were now draped around their bodies, to fend off the chill. A few lame shots to the opponents' goal made the crowd raise a cheer, with minimal upward force. But the sentiment was not one-handed. As soon as the whistle finished the game, a spirit of achievement and pride emerged. Flags were once again lifted, chants repeated, - we made it to here, and how good it was.

Midsummer in Skeppsmyra

From Midsommar2010

Another Midsummer has past and I spent it with friends by the coast. More specifically on Björkö, a two-hour drive from Uppsala. It is truly beautiful in these parts. Quite different from the Uppsalian topography. We enjoyed our stay at Lyckhem Vandrarhem, located in the midst of the woods, and with plenty of birds and mosquitos. Luckily, Clara had brought her Mosquito Repeller (emitting a high pitched sound, imitating a mosquito in heat,

or something) and I was armed with a strong chemical/toxic deterrent which I smeared on exposed skin, and was saved from any bites. When I returned home, I did a rigorous inspection of my very person, to ensure no ticks were strolling over it, remembering the passenger I had brought home from last year's coastal visit... Anyhow, enjoy the pictures!

Five Years!

This blog was started up precisely five years ago, when I was living with my grandmother Ines in Santiago. It was a great, memorable time, and I needed a way to keep in touch with family and friends. Time goes by quickly, and I'm glad to have made a record of some of the things that have happened. The blog is still going strong! Make sure to stop by often, or subscribe to the RSS feed (at the bottom of the page). Now, you may also give your reaction to the posts with a single click, just below. So easy. Keep those reactions coming! All the best from me.

Viktoria and Daniel's Loveboat

From Kungligt Bröllop

Together with Jessica, Johannes and Clara, I went to see the celebrations of the marriage between Crown Princess Viktoria and Mr Daniel Westling, now Prince Daniel. The city centre was completely possessed by the event, but in an unconcerned way. Apart from admiring the naval ships, we visited an exhibition with pictures by Annie Leibovitz.

Eventually, we found our spot from where to peek at the betrothed; from the quay in Gamla Stan. It was the perfect place. From the 21 round salute fired from a painfully short distance, the beautiful couple in their rowboat, to the formation of 18 Swedish fighter jets passing overhead, we were all smiling, knowing we had witnessed a scene to remember.

Tranquility

Yesterday I spent a few hours by the lake Trehörningen together with Hele, Vanda, Jessica, Clara and Johannes. It is a nice place to visit on days with so-so weather, when it is not overrun by sun-bathers. Update: Clara posted some great pictures - here!

The End of the Song

Photo by helpful man in the park

The course in Solo singing at Uppsala University is ending. What remains is the final recital on June 1st. (See right-->) On Wednesday, we had a picnic in the park outside the faculty and enjoyed anecdotes and memories and shared plans for the future.

Unfortunately, the faculty of Musicology has decided to terminate the course, which was installed in 1999. It's been an eye-opener to new music and a great lesson in presentation skills. For this reason, I'm pleased to have taken part of it the last few years that it ran.

A Little Greener

I took a stroll with the camera in hand and captured some of the bustling vegetation that has transformed the city. Along the way, I discovered a furry little fellow, running around in the canopy. He was just as delighted as the rest of Uppsala's residents over the warmer times. Click on the pic to meet him...!

Spring Concert

After many months of persistent cold weather, spring has conquered our land. A change that softens our joints and invites to new, fresh perspectives. This is also the case for yesterday's concert, where I played and sung with Pian' e Forte and Uppsala Kammarkör. It was the first time for me in the new Concert Hall.

I was impressed by the versatility of the small auditorium, Sal B, where a subtle artificial reverb filled in and enriched the choral sound. I now appreciate the challenge in playing the drum and singing at the same time. The singing comes out quite well, but the drum sounds rather randomly... Hopefully, it amused someone!

The New Train Station

From Uppsala Tågstation

Uppsala just opened its new train station; with underground access to the platforms (no more waiting for passing trains), shops, restaurants and SPACE. Much needed for a city with many commuters. Enjoy the pictures!

The Soloists

From Solosång och Piano

A few pictures taken past Friday, when my course in "Solo singing and Piano" gave a lunch concert. The theme was "Songs of the Heart" and the repertoire ranged from Alessandro Grandi to Robert Quilter. Just a minute before we were going to begin our programme, I managed to steal these snapshots of my dear class mates. Seize the opportunity!

Kristian's weekend in Gdansk

To celebrate the-soon-to-be-married Kristian, we lured him to spend a weekend in Gdansk, the gem on the Polish coast. He was brought over from Malmö by Tore and surprised with the full party awaiting him in the old part of town. Kristian was spoiled with wine (not the traditional drink of a stag party), amber shopping, spa with massage, smoky restaurants and clubbing at "Yesterday". Beautiful Gdansk showed really good potential for a revisit in the summer season, being low cost and welcoming. Enjoy the pictures!

Concerts coming up

This weekend, March 20 & 21, I will be performing the Vespers from 1610 by Claudio Monteverdi with my choir Camerata Englund and musicians.

If you have the possibility, I warmly recommend you to come. The work is divided between tuttis, solos, duets and trios, and the instrumental parts are known for being rythmic and exuberating.

Welcome!

Details on the right side --->

Sympathy for Noise

I was asked to illustrate an article about home-owners not showing sympathy for noisy craftsmen. The idea evolved from a photo of a man wearing sunglasses and ear protectors, to a baby wearing the same things for an added comedic effect, to finally an illustration with a mix of the two.

For the background, the idea was originally to have a craftsman on a ladder, but eventually I found it better to have only one character as the focus of the composition. Thanks to Martin and Lina for your help! The photos that we took of Simon in sunglasses were an important part of the process.

Music in Ärentuna

From Ensembles

Camerata Englund and Pian' e Forte defied the extreme cold that we are experiencing right now (-20 C) and celebrated the Epiphany (Trettondagen) in the church of Ärentuna, some kms north of Uppsala. Unfortunately, almost no one else did. The souls seated in the church could be counted on one hand. In any case, we performed our best for the few that were present. It also served as a rehearsal for the Vespers, coming up in March. With some luck, I'll update this post with a recording of these fine players.

Audi Coelum

An extract from the Vespers by Monteverdi, which we are rehearsing with the choir for presentation in March.
This is a motet for two tenors, where the second tenor echoes the first. It is a remarkable portrayal of a man's dialogue with God. As you can hear on the recording, the echo is sung from a distant place in the church. It also repeats the last syllables of the first tenor, but with a new meaning. "Gaudio" (joy) is echoed as "Audio" (I hear), for instance. Below is the text in Latin and English.

My preferred recording on Spotify (Cantus Cölln, Konrad Junghänel)
Listen and follow in the text - A great experience guaranteed!

Audi Coelum, verba mea, plena desiderio et perfusa gaudio.		Hear, O heaven, my words full of longing and suffused with joy.
	Audio.		I hear.
Dic, quaeso, mihi : Quae est ista, quae consurgens ut aurora rutilat ut benedicam ?		I beseech you, tell me who is she that rises up, bright as the dawn, and I shall bless her.
	Dicam.		I shall tell you.
Dic nam ista pulchra ut luna, electa ut sol, replet laetitia terras, coelos, maria ?		Tell, for she is beautiful as the moon, exquisite as the sun which fills with gladness the earth, heavens and seas.
	Maria!		Mary!
Maria Virgo illa dulcis, praedicata de propheta Ezechiel porta Orientalis ?		That sweet virgin Mary, foretold by the prophet Ezechiel, that eastern gate,
	Talis.		The same.
Illa sacra et felix porta pet quam mors fuit expulsa, introduxit autem vita ?		that sacred and joyful portal through which death was expelled and life renewed;
	Ita!		Thus!
Quae semper tutum est medium inter homines et Deum, pro culpis remedium.		who is always a trusted mediator between God and man for the forgiveness of sins.
	Medium.		A mediator.
Omnes! Omnes hanc ergo sequamur, qua cum gratia mereamur vitam aeternam consequamur.		All! Let us all therefore follow her, through whom we may with grace deserve to attain life everlasting.
	Sequamur.		Let us follow.
Praestet nobis Deus, Pater hoc et Filius, et Mater cuius nomen invocamus dulce miseris solamen.		May God the Father, and the Son, and the mother whose name we invoke, grant sweet solace to the unhappy.
	Amen.		Amen.
Benedicta es, virgo Maria, in saeculorum saecula.		Blessed art thou, virgin Mary, for ever and ever.

Christmas Babies

The result of a photo shoot I did with Aron, Simon and Valentina about a month ago. They behaved terrific. They ended up on home made Christmas cards that were sent to family and friends all around, on Facebook and now finally on this blog. Share the Christmas spirit!

Now Leaving "City of Angels"

After some three months of rehearsals and eight performances in two weeks, it's time to say good bye to the cast, crew and stage of the "City of Angels". It's been a beautiful experience in the company of a some very special people. To see the acting grow and mature. Working together, playing with the text. The reward of an entertained audience.

Here is a teaser clip from the last performance, recorded by my pal Sven-Erik. This clip is from the scene where Stine caves in to the demands of his publisher to change sex on Detective Muñoz. Stone, another of his fictional character, reacts and openly questions his creator. Emil Gustafsson in the role of Stine, Margareta Clasborn as Muñoz and I'm playing Stone.

A Visit to the 1860's

From Walmstedtska Gården

During the second half of the 1800's, Prof. Herman Rydin and family rented an apartment in central Uppsala. They were bourgeois and had six rooms. When the wave of demolition swept through the city in the 1960's this house was spared, as one of the few remaining old residences in the city centre. The Rydin family's apartment was restored to its original appearance, and has since been a part of the Uppland Museum. it is known as "Walmstedtska Gården".

At this time of year, it is decorated and staged for the Christmas of the time. I made a visit, and took some pictures. One of the things that stood out was how dark it was back then. Furniture had to be placed by the walls, or you would risk tripping over them after night fall.

Vulgar Vikings in the Final

A few questions for Joakim Englund, manager of the football team Vulgar Vikings. Where and when is the Final going to be played? - On hattrick.org, an online football manager game with 900 000 active users. It´s free to join and build your own team to compete with. My team is in the English Cup where more than 16 000 teams are playing. The Final is tomorrow (Tuesday 8th) at 21:00 (GMT+1). We are very excited about it. With "we", you mean you and the virtual players? - Yes, but to me they are very life-like. How did you get to the finals? - I've been studying the algorithms of the game. What parameters control who gets the most goal opportunities, the best defence or how leadership affects the players. In the long run, it is important to have a good economy, earn money and make your club profitable. About six months ago, I felt like trying something new in the game and sold off my entire team. They were mostly young talents and were worth quite a lot.

With that I bought old but great players, like Henrik Larssons, that won´t last very long but can perform great in the short run. The team became really strong and has taken me to the Final. But I doubt it will still be standing in a few seasons. How will you prepare for the Final? - I have to configure the team, decide on formations and other parameters. My opponent will probably buy new strong players, and I must follow to have a chance. Being a virtual football manager takes time, I am spending around 15 hours per week on this, and it reflects your chances to succeed. My family knows I've reached a high level in the game, and have shown understanding. The best of luck to you! - Thank you. When its over I will enjoy some time off. In his real life, Joakim works as a statistician in clinical research. He is also a long time friend and co-singer of mine. Update: Vulgar Vikings have won the Cup by 3-0! Congratulations!