Sebastian Fagerlund (1972)

Picture: Saara Vuorjoki/Fimic

Sebastian Fagerlund studied composition at the Sibelius Academy under the guidance of Erkki Jokinen and received his diploma in composition in 2004. He has also attended several master classes in composing led by e.g. Michael Jarrell, Magnus Lindberg and Ivan Fedele.

Fagerlund music has been described as flowing, intense and rich in sound. His list of works includes orchestral, chamber orchestral, stage, solo and chamber music. His music has been performed at several major music events around the world.

My clarinet concerto consists of four movements. In the first movement Entrata the clarinet gradually brings the orchestra to life by presenting different musical materials. The first part continues without interruption to the second part Rituale, where the role between the solo clarinet and the orchestra begins to change. A short intermezzo forms a bridge to the third, slow and intense movement L´ombra muta. New layers and perspectives open up in the music, but at the same time there is a motion inwards in the music towards something invisible. After the third movement follows a second intermezzo in the form of a cadenza for clarinet. The wild solo leads towards the final, fourth movement Urbana, which is a minimalist, dancelike scherzo.

Working together with the brilliant and virtuoso clarinettist Christoffer Sundqvist has inspired me and also left its distinctive mark on the musical characters in the concerto. The concerto is commissioned by and dedicated to him. Sebastian Fagerlund

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