A Musical Year at the Gothenburg Cathedral
Raised in the choir tradition of Sweden, it’s difficult for me to stay away from the season in Gothenburg Cathedral (Sweden). The Cathedral as seen below, was inaugurated in 1815, and celebrated 200 years last year. It is situated in the heart of Gothenburg, and is really a true City Cathedral, accessible all days from early morning to evening.
The autumn season always contains a least two concerts of a major piece, typically a mass or a requiem. Last autumn season it was time for an all-time favourite, the Mozart Requiem, performed by the Cathedral Choir and the Gothenburg Symphony Orchestra and eminent soloists.
During the 200-jubilee, many various pieces of Swedish composers were performed, most of them with a connection to the Cathedral or the music life in Gothenburg. Below three happy tenors awaiting the concert to start – me with fellow choir companions Andreas Hector (right) and Jonathan Lindberg (left).
The choir life in the Cathedral is vibrant, and apart from the Cathedral Choir, there is a youth choir, a female voices choir and a boys’ choir. One of the most important instruments in the performance of the church music, both during concert and normal services, is of course the organ. The Gothenburg Cathedral has two organs, one placed in front of the church and the other on the balcony. It’s a massive piece, and really lives up to being called The Queen of Instruments!
Christmas at the Cathedral is always a memorable event. Usually there is an event in the Cathedral every evening throughout December, be it a service or a concert. Below is a rehearsal picture from the Christmas Concert in 2015, where we had a baritone soloists, as well as a harp playing with the choir.
Another picture of the ongoing Christmas Concert in 2015, as seen from the balcony.
And, I always tend to get a somewhat empty feeling after a big project is over. I think the below picture captures this very well, the empty Cathedral with empty music stands, after the performance of Bach’s magnificent St Matthew Passion in March 2016, together with Wasa Baroque Orchestra and soloists.
Happy and exhausted after the performance of Bach’s Mass in b-minor, in March 2015, with my voice coach, mezzo-soprano Maria Forsström, a sought-after voice coach and singer in Europe, and also the coach of my male ensemble, The Bangalore Men!
