When I was five years old, my family moved from my birthplace of Umeå, a town in the northern part of Sweden, to a farm called Hedvigsnäs near Tibro, close to Lake Vättern in the southern half of the country. Compared to Umeå, Tibro was a very small town, and Hedvigsnäs was just a little farm. It was quite a big change for a child. My sister and I spent a couple of carefree years there before starting school, when a more structured life began. It’s a time I remember fondly. The sun seemed to shine every day, whether it was summer or the ground was covered with a glistening blanket of snow. We played in our little world, which to us was infinitely mysterious and full of unknown things calling out to be explored. Every door was a potential gateway to a new universe, and we filled the spaces we found with our imagination. A tractor became an aircraft, and if a room was empty, we simply turned it into a pirate cave or a desert oasis. Imagination showed us the way, and we happily followed wherever it led.
More than once, my year as Composer in Residence with the Norrbotten Big Band brought my thoughts back to Hedvigsnäs and what that time represents for me. I’ve had similar feelings about the Norrbotten Big Band; it’s like a place filled with endless possibilities, limited only by my imagination and my ability to communicate musical ideas. I’m hugely grateful to all the orchestra’s members for their openness to everything I presented, and for capturing so successfully what happens in the meeting between musicians and my music. Norrbotten Big Band is an orchestra like no other, whose members handled shifting tempos and odd meters without ever losing focus on the music. Each of them contributed their unmistakable style and sound to the compositions, filling the music with creativity and maturity. As a band, Norrbotten has a unique ability to elevate every musical situation they take part in.
I feel deep gratitude and pride in having served as Norrbotten Big Band’s Composer in Residence for 2015. It was a privilege and an honour to get to know the orchestra so intimately — to the point where I could recognise the individual voice behind each musician’s instrument. This kind of familiarity is only possible over time — a time, I should add, full of jokes, laughter, and warmth.
Just how profoundly my role with Norrbotten Big Band has affected me, both as a composer and as a person, will take a long time to fully understand. All I can say for now is how deeply thankful I am to the wonderful musicians in the band; without their extraordinary talent and dedication, none of this would have been possible.
– Peter Danemo 2016
Photo by Miki Anagrius
In the liner notes I wrote some words about all the pieces on the album. Here’s what I wrote about the title track.
HEDVIGSNÄS
Children embrace the world in a way I find deeply inspiring. They see only possibilities and never let logic get in the way of a good adventure. Seen through their eyes, it’s entirely plausible to fly, become invisible, or gain superpowers. Nothing is impossible, and nothing is truly dangerous – because family is the safe place you return to after each adventure.
But far too many children are denied a secure and loving childhood. This piece is dedicated to them.
Woodwinds
Håkan Broström – alto and soprano saxophone, alto flute
Janne Thelin – alto saxophone, Bb clarinet, bass clarinet, contra bass clarinet
Mats Garberg – tenor saxophone, flute
Robert Nordmark – tenor saxophone, alto fl ute, Bb clarinet
Per Moberg – baritone saxophone, fl ute
Trumpets
Jacek Onuskiewicz – trumpet, flugelhorn
Magnus Ekholm – trumpet, flugelhorn
Dan Johansson – trumpet, flugelhorn
Peter Lindhamre – trumpet, flugelhorn
Trombones
Peter Dahlgren – trombone
Arvid Ingberg – trombone
Urban Wiborg – trombone
Björn Hängsel – bass trombone, tuba
Adam Forkelid – piano
Christian Spering – acoustic bass
Konrad Agnas – drums
Peter Danemo – conductor, electronics, electronic treatment