musikundret

2008-11-06 Photos: Charlotte Strömwall

Josef leads inauguration of Malmö Arena

After two years of preparation it was finally opening night: A musical celebration of swedish music and swedish artists that have conquered the world. Master of ceremonies Björn Kjellman and conductor Josef Rhedin presented music from a wide range of genres, performed by Malmö Symphony Orchestra, grand chorus, children´s chorus and soloists.

The concert started with suggestive sounds from ancient times - eight copies of several thousand years old bronze horns was played from various places in the arena, followed by Kalle Moraeus playing a beautiful folk tune on his fiddle evolving into a swedish dance tune that led in to the sparkling Festival Ouverture for symphony orchestra by Hugo Alfvén.

Helen Sjöholm performed the Cuckoo Waltz, composed 1913 by Emanuel Jonasson, and also told the story of the song - how it was spread to the US, from there to Korea and then all over Asia through Kurosawas film ”Drunken Angel”, that it has been used as on hold music by British Telecom and is still today commonly used for baby toys. Cuckoo Waltz is one of the most played swedish songs internationally ever.

Andreas Johnson sang Roxette´s ”The Look” and his own hit ”Glorious” in which opera star Erika Sunnegårdh made a highly appreciated, cross over appearance.

He also teamed up with Fredrik Lycke and Kalle Moraeus as a ”boy band” in Backstreet Boys´ ”Show Me The Meaning Of Being Lonely”.

Multitalented Kalle Moraeus returned on numerous occasions - playing the violin and singing together with the other artists.

Dressed in a space suit, with a red electric guitar, he illustrated the international succes of swedish popgroup The Spotnicks in an unforgettable manner.

The line of swedish opera singers who have conquered the world

is long; from Jenny Lind, Jussi Björling and Birgit Nilsson up to

the stars of today. The latest break through at the Metropolitan

in New York was made by Erika Sunnegårdh. The audience in

Malmö got to enjoy her stunning voice in ”Vissi d´arte” by Puccini.

Backed up by 300 choral singers she also sang ”Libera Me”

from Verdi´s Requiem.

Fredrik Lycke, acclaimed musical star, sang ”Anthem”, ”Hooked On A Feeling”, ”Final Countdown” and Britney Spears´ hit song”...Baby, One More Time”, written by Max Martin and Rami. He also performed Taube´s ”Fragancia”, beautifully woven together with ABBA´s ”Fernando”, in an ensemble with Helen Sjöholm and Jill Johnson.

Naturally, the music by Benny Andersson and Björn Ulvaeus held a prominent place in the concert. Helen Sjöholm performed ”Min Astrakan” from the musical ”Kristina från Duvemåla” and Josef Rhedin proudly presented the world premiere of a new piece for orchestra by Benny Andersson, composed specifically for this occasion: ”Fanfarpolska”.

Swedens Queen of Country, Jill Johnson delivered some of the grooviest songs of the evening; ”Bringing Out The Elvis In Me”, written by Louise Hoffsten for american country star Faith Hill, and the Madonna song ”Like It Or Not”, written by swedish producers Bloodshy & Avant.

Astrid Lindgren´s children´s songs, with music by Georg Riedel and Jan Johansson, has been spread around

the world with the help of the films on Pippi, Emil and Karlsson på Taket. 115 kids sang a medley of Astrid

songs, finishing with Britney Spears´ hit ”Oops, I Did It Again”, written by Max Martin and Rami.

Robyn, a swedish music wonder of today who recently reached a No 1 on the prestigeous UK single chart and toured with Madonna last summer, performed her songs ”Be Mine”, ”Dream On” and

the megahit ”With Every Heartbeat” accompanied by her own band together with Malmö Symphony Orchestra.

In the final number the very essence of The Swedish Music Wonder was illustrated by three international guest artists: Jung-Won Choi from Korea, Muntsa Rius from Spain and Elena Kazarinova from Russia. They all perform in Mamma Mia! productions in their respective countries.

The ladies sang three songs from the musical production in korean, spanish, russian and english.

Josef Rhedin and the artists getting ready for the final bow.