Göteborgs Konserthus Power play with organ and brass

Richard Strauss (1864-1949) Feierlicher Einzug TrV 224, arr Reger/Koch for organ and brass Richard Strauss composed in 1909 Feierlicher Einzug der Ritter des Johanniter-Ordens ("The Solemn Entry of the Knights of the Johanniter Order") on the occasion of a ceremony for the Knights of the Johanniter Order. The order was founded in Jerusalem in the Middle Ages at the time of the First Crusade, and survived into modern times. Today they deal with charity. Strauss originally composed the work for 25 brass and timpani, but later also made a version for larger orchestra and organ. Max Reger and Johannes Koch's arrangement is less bombastic, written for four trumpets, four trombones, tuba, timpani and organ. The work begins calmly and reverently, and the chorale-like harmonies are almost Brucknerian in their simplicity and power. Strauss gradually increases the intensity to a powerful and dramatic climax, and the music leans towards Wagner's solemn processional music from Parsifal and the priests' march from Mozart's The Magic Flute.

Sofia Gubajdulina (b 1931) Trio for three trumpets Sofia Gubaidulina's early works were in the spirit of Shostakovich, but she developed her own, serial tonal language imbued with old Russian Orthodox church music. Although her unique talent was recognized early on, the Soviet authorities believed that she had embarked on the wrong artistic course. However, she received great support from Shostakovich to continue on the beaten path and since 1963 she has been a "free" artist who in her serious production followed her inner conviction, even if this meant that she mostly composed for the desk drawer. It was only with the collapse of the Soviet state that her music became known in the West, and she was then properly noticed along with Schnittke and Denisov as one of the most important composers of the time. Since 1992 she lives on the outskirts of Hamburg. In 2002, she received the Swedish Polar Prize. Gubaidulina focused in the mid-70s on writing for special instrument groups and finding a "common point of view." In the trumpet trio, the three voices echo and imitate each other.

Louis Vierne (1870–1937) Organ Symphonie No 1, finale Louis Vierne was born blind, but his musicality was so well nurtured that in 1900 he was appointed organist at the Cavaillé-Coll organ at Notre Dame de Paris, in competition with 88 fellow applicants, and for this organ he wrote five of his six organ symphonies. He was completely absorbed by the organ and the church, and he died during a concert he gave for "Friends of the Organ" in 1937. The last section of his memoirs summarizes his work: “Here ends my memoirs as organist of Notre Dame de Paris. The glorious instrument whose happy title holder I have been for 37 years… In its shadow I composed my music and fashioned for myself the aesthetics of a cathedral organist, tried to appropriate its majestic sound in the grand architecture of the basilica…”

György Ligeti (1923-2006) Zwei Etüden für Orgel: Harmonies Hungarian composer György Ligeti is one of the most important artists of the post-war period. He is in many ways a panorama through which the late 20th century's musical achievements can be discerned, both through his aesthetic transformations and his shifting residence: from labor camps under Nazism, to the avant-garde's idealistic Central European mecca in Cologne, to Hollywood's star-studded shimmer through not least the film director Stanley Kubrick's recurring use of his music. He left a rich and varied output with orchestral pieces, solo concerts, choirs, organ works, chamber music and opera. He was also a sought-after lecturer and pedagogue who had long been involved at the Academy of Music in Stockholm.

Franz Schmidt (1874-1939) Fuga Solemnis The composer Franz Schmidt was the son of Hungarian parents and was largely raised in Vienna. He studied composition with the organ master Bruckner and became a cellist in the Vienna Philharmonic under Gustav Mahler. In the 1920s, Schmidt became head of the Academy of Music in Vienna. He wrote four symphonies, two operas, a large oratorio and several masterful organ works, among which the Toccata and Chaconne have become well known. Fuga Solemnis was commissioned for the inauguration of a radio studio in Vienna in 1937, but was hijacked by the German occupying power and was not performed until Schmidt's death in 1939. Written for percussion, brass and organ, it displays Schmidt's originality and masterful counterpoint.

Organist Magnus Kjellson is Artistic director of the ensemble Göteborg Baroque. Magnus is educated with a diploma at the University of Theater and Music in Gothenburg and at the Sweelinck Conservatory in Amsterdam after studying with Rune Wåhlberg, Hans Davidsson and Hans van Nieuwkoop. He is organist in Christinae church (German church) in Gothenburg. 1995–2007 Magnus taught organ interpretation and liturgical organ at the University of Theater and Music in Gothenburg. He is also involved as a guest teacher at international academies and festivals. Magnus Kjellson has toured Europe as organ soloist and ensemble leader and made his solo debut in the USA in 2007. In 2007, the Association for Early Music presented its annual award to Magnus Kjellson for his work with early music and ensemble Göteborg Baroque. The ensemble was in charge of the construction of the unique instrument claviorganum, which could be inaugurated in Gothenburg in 2019.

The Gothenburg Symphony Brass Ensemble started performing Christmas concerts in the 90s. Juljubel has been a favorite recurring concept for many years. Artists such as Helen Sjöholm, Knut Agnred, Babben Larsson, Mark Levengood, Sissela Kyle and Negar Zarassi have brightened up Christmas together with the Brass Ensemble and the Gothenburg Symphony Choir. The ensemble consists of the Gothenburg Symphony Orchestra's trumpeters, trombonists, hornists and tubaist and also perform concerts on special occasions.