Since the late 19th century, composers have been influenced the visual arts. Mussorgsky’s Pictures at an Exhibition inspired by the artwork of Victor Hartmann got the ball rolling, but it wasn’t long before other composers followed his example.
Recognized as a rising star on the contemporary music scene, composer Britta Byström was born in Sundsvall, Sweden 1977 and began her musical career as a trumpet player. She started composing while still in her teens and studied composition at the Royal University of Music in Stockholm with Pär Lindgren and Bent Sørensen. In an age when most composers can only dream of hearing orchestras perform their works, Byström distinguished herself as a master of orchestral textures even during her student days. Byström’s work can be heard with major orchestras, soloists and concert halls like BBC Symphony Orchestra, Gürzenich Orchestra, Detroit Symphony Orchestra, Swedish Radio Symphony Orchestra, NDR Philharmonic, Royal Albert Hall, NDR Elbphilharmonie, John Storgårds, Janine Jansen and Malin Broman.
The inspiration for ‘Ink-Wash on Paper” came about following a concert where artist Gunnel Wåhlstrand heard one of Byström’s other artinspired works. It was decided on the spot that artist and composer should collaborate. Wåhlstrand specializes in the demanding technique of ink wash, creating overwhelming large-scale images photo-realistic images of nature on the west coast of Sweden. The clarity of detail, the quality of light and the reflections in these greyscale works are truly hypnotic and are beautifully complimented by Byström’s soft-focus sonics.
This is graceful and elegant music but also somewhat bizarre; rarely rising above a mezzoforte. As English critic Lynn René Bayley (Art Music Lounge) wrote, “Byström’s world seems to consist of gentle gestures that somehow add up to a listening experience that is transformative. Nothing is quite as it appears to be at first glance/listen, yet she sucks you into her sound world and says, “Why don’t you stay for a cup of galactic star tea?”
Enjoy the music played by world class musicians
Link to direct streaming: https://www.ourrecordings.com/stream-music
Link to Britta Bystøms website: https://brittabystrom.com/
Link to Gunnel Wåhlstrand website: https://www.gunnelwahlstrand.com/