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Double bass commission from the Oslo PO

Oslo Philharmonic Orchestra have commissioned a concerto for double bass and orchestra for principal Dan Styffe, to be premiered late Spring 2011 in Oslo by Dan Styffe, Oslo PO and Jukka-Pekka Saraste.

Martinsson in focus at Composers Festival at The Royal Stockholm PO, in Nov. 08

In November 2008 Martinsson will be one of the two composers in focus during Composers Festival at the Royal Stockholm Philharmonic. More than 20 of his works will be performed by The Royal Stockholm PO/Sakari Oramo, Norrköping SO/Thomas Søndergård, Gävle SO/Eva Ollikainen, SNYKO, Avanti! and by soloists such as Håkan Hardenberger, Christian Lindberg, Mats Lidström, Magnus Båge, Jan Stigmer and Jacques Werup.

Premiere for Martinsson's Newsletter

Wednesday February 27, 2008, Martinsson's publisher Gehrmans Musikförlag released their first e-newsletter for composers, Composer News. The newsletter will have a wide international circulation and in the first issue, Martinsson's Eventful 2007, you can read about cooperation and performances 2007-2008. More information in Newsletter No. 1.

New scores at Gehrmans

During december 2007 Martinsson signed Gehrmans for two more pieces:
- Variations for Orchestra on themes from Dietrich Buxtehude
- Symbiosis, for two violins

CD release!

Martinsson's second CD portrait, OPEN MIND, now available at Daphne Records. The CD includes:

• Open Mind, Swedish Radio Symphony Orchestra, Manfred Honeck
• Cello Concerto No. 1, Mats Lidström, Norrköping Symphony Orchestra, Mats Rondin
• Exposé, Concert Fantasy, Mats Lidström, cello
• Shimmering Blue - Flute Concerto No. 1, Magnus Båge, Malmö Symphony Orchestra, Mats Rondin

More info

Praise for Martinsson's violin concerto

An emotionally appealing piece
by Rikard Flyckt, Jönköpings-Posten

"Rolf Martinsson's violin concerto is written especially for Jan Stigmer and recently premiered by him and the Swedish Chamber Orchestra (...) Highly accessible and stunningly beautiful, this concerto speaks to the mind for sure (...) but it definitely stands out through its emotional quality. The solo part is incredibly handsome and beautiful, and with a soloist like Jan Stigmer there is absolutely nothing left to wish for. It's a great pity we haven't had the chance to hear him enough in recent years. But we have to make do with what we get, and on an evening like this he just gives so unbelievably much."

Northern Light project

Visit Magnus Båge's homepage and read about the exciting Northern Light project in which Martinsson's flute concerto Shimmering Blue exposes Båge's sensational flute invention Expression Slide for the first time ever!

Musikverein, Vienna

Rolf Martinsson's Trombone Concerto No. 1, Fairlight, will be performed 24 Maj 2007 in Musikverein, Vienna by Christian Lindberg and Vienna Radio Symphony Orchestra under the baton of chief conductor Bertrand de Billy. At the same concert Mr. Lindberg will also perform his Arabenne for trombone and strings. Lindberg is Artist in Residence in Musikverein that week and will also give a concert with Swedish pianist Roland Pöntinen.

Two new scores at Gehrmans

During April 2007 Martinsson signed Gehrmans for two new pieces: VIOLIN CONCERTO NO. 1 and NATTVIOL for male choir a cappella.

New CD-release

Martinsson's Carillon for nine brass players will be released on CD, May 16 at Malmö Academy of Music. Teachers brass ensemble lead by Håkan Hardenberger. The recording is part of the Malmö Academy of Music - 100 years! celebration.

New scores at Gehrmans

Recently Martinsson signed Gehrmans for seven new pieces: CARILLON for nine brass players, MOUTHPIECE for male choir, CAPRICCIO for violin, CHORDS AND BELLS for organ, EXPOSÉ, CONCERT FANTASY for cello, AQUARIUS for piano and FACE IT! for trumpet.

Rosenberg Prize 2007

At the first of December 2006 Martinsson received the "Rosenberg Prize 2007" from the Swedish Composers Society.

New CD portrait

Martinsson's second CD-portrait (DAPHNE RECORDS) will be released at the end of 2007. The CD will include Cello Concerto No. 1, Shimmering Blue (flute concerto), Open Mind (orchestra) and Exposé (cello). Mats Lidström (cello), Magnus Båge (flute), Manfred Honeck and Mats Rondin (conductors), Swedish Radio Symphony Orchestra, Malmö Symphony Orchestra and Norrköping Symphony Orchestra.

Read article in Highlights

Read Staffan Storm's article about Martinsson in Gehrmans Musikförlag's newsletter Highlights no. 19/2006.

Martinsson having masterclass in Vienna

Martinsson visits Vienna in May for a masterclass in composition at Universität für Musik und darstellende Kunst and a performance by Duo Gelland of Symbiosis at Alte Schmiede, Kunstverein.

Older News

von Otter/Martinsson in cooperation

Anne Sofie von Otter premieres Martinsson's ORCHESTRAL SONGS with Malmö Symphony Orchestra in Malmö concert hall 2008/2009.

Fairlight in Musikverein, Vienna

Two performances of FAIRLIGHT confirmed at Musikverein in Vienna, 24 and 25 May, 2007. Christian Lindberg, Vienna Radio Symphony Orchestra, Bertrand de Billy.

Martinsson signs Gehrmans Musikförlag

Recently Martinsson signed with the music publisher Gehrmans Musikförlag in Stockholm. Nine orchestral works are included in the contract: Bridge, Fairlight, Cello Concerto, Shimmering Blue, Dreams, Open Mind, A. S. in Memoriam, Kalliope and String Moments.

Swedish Music Publishers Award 2005

Martinsson's trombone concerto FAIRLIGHT, written for Christian Lindberg and The Royal Stockholm Philharmonic Orchestra got The Swedish Music Publishers Award 2005:
"The Most Significant Contemporary Music Work of the Year"

New CD recording!

Martinsson's LEO, GEMINI and LIBRA for piano now available on Daphne Records (DAPHNE 1018). Anders Kilström/piano
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Martinsson premiered in London

Martinsson premiered in London:
From-Sweden.com
BBC SO

New CD recording!

Martinsson's COLOURED FLAMES for woodwind quintet now available on Daphne Records (DAPHNE 1019). The Amadé Quintet
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CD portrait

A portrait of Rolf Martinsson on Daphne Records (DAPHNE 1022). Jacques Werup/Malmö Symphony Orchestra /Christoph König/Marcus Lehtinen.
DREAMS: CD of the week in Swedish Radio P2/Aurora, October 11-15, 2004.
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