{"id":2259,"date":"2025-05-19T15:03:26","date_gmt":"2025-05-19T15:03:26","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/danemo.com\/?page_id=2259"},"modified":"2025-05-19T15:12:26","modified_gmt":"2025-05-19T15:12:26","slug":"peter-danemo-norrbotten-big-band-hedvigsnas","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/danemo.com\/?page_id=2259","title":{"rendered":"Peter Danemo & Norrbotten Big Band – Hedvigsn\u00e4s"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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When I was five years old, my family moved from my birthplace of Ume\u00e5, a town in the northern part of Sweden, to a farm called Hedvigsn\u00e4s<\/em> near Tibro, close to Lake V\u00e4ttern in the southern half of the country. Compared to Ume\u00e5, Tibro was a very small town, and Hedvigsn\u00e4s 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\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

More than once, my year as Composer in Residence with the Norrbotten Big Band brought my thoughts back to Hedvigsn\u00e4s and what that time represents for me. I\u2019ve had similar feelings about the Norrbotten Big Band; it\u2019s like a place filled with endless possibilities, limited only by my imagination and my ability to communicate musical ideas. I\u2019m hugely grateful to all the orchestra\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I feel deep gratitude and pride in having served as Norrbotten Big Band\u2019s Composer in Residence for 2015. It was a privilege and an honour to get to know the orchestra so intimately \u2014 to the point where I could recognise the individual voice behind each musician\u2019s instrument. This kind of familiarity is only possible over time \u2014 a time, I should add, full of jokes, laughter, and warmth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

HEDVIGSN\u00c4S<\/strong>
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 \u2013 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Woodwinds
H\u00e5kan Brostr\u00f6m – alto and soprano saxophone, alto flute
Janne Thelin – alto saxophone, Bb clarinet, bass clarinet, contra bass clarinet
Mats Garberg – tenor saxophone, flute
Robert Nordmark \u2013 tenor saxophone, alto fl ute, Bb clarinet
Per Moberg – baritone saxophone, fl ute<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Trumpets
Jacek Onuskiewicz – trumpet, flugelhorn
Magnus Ekholm – trumpet, flugelhorn
Dan Johansson – trumpet, flugelhorn
Peter Lindhamre – trumpet, flugelhorn<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Trombones
Peter Dahlgren – trombone
Arvid Ingberg – trombone
Urban Wiborg – trombone
Bj\u00f6rn H\u00e4ngsel – bass trombone, tuba<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Adam Forkelid – piano
Christian Spering – acoustic bass
Konrad Agnas – drums
Peter Danemo – conductor, electronics, electronic treatment<\/p>\n\n\n