Gary Graden chooses... Den levande Maria (The Living Mary) by Agneta Sköld

"She writes such intelligent and creative music for our instrument – the choir", says Gary Graden about Agneta Sköld's suite for mixed choir and organ: Den levande Maria (The Living Mary). In his video greeting, Graden is passionate about the "wonderful musical journey" of the Suite: from melodies reminiscent of folk music, via modernistic, bold harmonies to swinging cathedral music with its roots in the English tradition.

SEE FILM HERE

GARY GRADEN is born in the USA and studied with the legendary Eric Ericson at the Royal Academy of Music in Stockholm. He is presently the director of choral music in the Stockholm cathedral and St. Jacob’s Church in Stockholm. With his St. Jacob's Chamber Choir, Gary Graden has won many of the most prestigious choral competitions in Europe. He has also participated in a wide array of national and international festivals. Gary Graden is in demand as conductor, teacher and adjudicator throughout the world. His work as conductor and singer is documented on countless CD and radio recordings.

Gary Graden enjoys a close cooperation with composer AGNETA SKÖLD. In her music, clear traces of her background as a solo singer, former member of the Swedish Radio Choir and Eric Ericson Chamber Choir, experienced choral conductor and organist can be heard. It conveys a deep understanding of the voice and of the choir as an instrument, often in cooperation with the organ. 

In her five part Suite for mixed choir and organ, Den Levande Maria (The Living Mary), Sköld used poems by Ebba Lindqvist which both reflects Mary as an real person, with real worries for her children, and as a mystic and holy symbol.

DEN LEVANDE MARIA
By Agneta Sköld
Suite in five parts for mixed choir and organ
Texts by Ebba Lindqvist and Erik Axel Karlfeldt
Durata appr 25 min
Intermediate-advanced level

(preview and buy score here)

More music by Agneta Sköld is available in our store at gehrmans.se!