"In sweet rejoicing" - thus begins one of the most famous Christmas carols, with lyrics in German and Latin. Probably dating from some time in the 14th century, the work became popular across Europe in the 16th century, and numerous compositions have since adapted its melody. Internationally acclaimed Swedish organist and composer
Hans-Ola Ericsson
plays a selection of these, as well as related works on a
Christmas or Advent
theme.
Born in 1958, Ericsson studied under noted 20th century contemporary composers
Luigi Nono, Klaus Huber and Brian Ferneyhough
, and has worked with such giants as John Cage, György Ligeti and Olivier Messiaen - recording the complete works for organ by the latter composer. Since 2000, he has been a member of the Royal Swedish Academy of Music, and a professor at McGill University in Canada, one of the world's leading academic institutions, since 2011.
He is an outstanding interpreter chiefly of the 20th century repertoire, and within this the music of Messiaen, but has also earned a considerable reputation as a restorer of historic organs. An expert on the Baroque period, he oversaw the restoration of the most important organ of the Swedish Baroque movement in Stockholm (Scandinavia as a whole being known as a genuine treasure trove of historic organs, with a vast tradition of organ music).
Also appearing this evening is the Saint Ephraim Male Choir. Formed in 2002, and frequently invited to Hungary since, the choir performs regularly in a wide variety of roles and styles.
