New year's concert for peace

Do like thousands of other Uppsala locals and guests from outside Uppsala: start the new year with a concert!

After a one-year hiatus, the Academic chamber choir of Uppsala is finally back with its new year's concert together with the Drottningholm Baroque Ensemble and with the hope of 2022 as a year of peace. The concert program includes Handel, Haydn and the world premiere of a newly composed piece by Fredrik Högberg.

Handel wrote a Te Deum and Jubilate to commemorate the signing of the Utrecht peace treaty in 1713, ending the war of the Spanish succession which had dragged almost entire Europe into a 15-year war.

More than 75 years later, the ravages of Napoleon once again threatened the European and North African continents. Discord, destruction, starvation, and political chaos followed. Haydn wrote his Missa in Angustiis (Mass for troubled times) in the midst of ongoing war, and for reduced orchestra since the brass and woodwind players were in battle.

If Handel's pieces manifest the joy of peace, Haydn's mass illustrates the danger and war anxiety. Nevertheless, hope for peace also comes through Haydn's Mass. It, too, is therefore regarded today as a peace appeal.

There will also be a premiere performance of the Jubilee Theme, composed by Fredrik Högberg, which was commisioned by Gehrmans musikförlag and the Rosenborg-Gehrman Foundation to commemorate the 250th anniversary of the Royal Swedish Academy of Music in 2021.

On new year's day, UAK wishes to let Handel's, Haydn's and Högberg's music sound like a sign of hope in a troubled time.

NOTE: Vaccination certificate for COVID-19 is required. Read more.

Cast

Susanne Rydén, Preses, Royal Swedish Academy of Music

Karin Dahlberg, soprano

Lars Arvidson, bass

Stina Ekblad, recitator

Academy Chamber Choir of Uppsala

Drottningholm Baroque Ensemble

Stefan Parkman, conductor