BY CUTCOMMON
Christoffer Sundqvist is a leader in his field. As a soloist, he’s performed with the world’s major orchestras. As a member of the orchestra, he takes the role of principal clarinet with the Finnish Radio Symphony Orchestra. As an educator, he teaches clarinet from Helsinki to Australia.
But as a chamber musician, Christoffer prefers to take a step back from the limelight, becoming just one of the talented artists who will perform with Australian National Academy of Music players. Because to Christoffer, “in chamber music, everyone’s voice is unique and important”.
Christoffer is gearing up to perform in a number of upcoming events with ANAM, including its Mostly Mozart: Glories of the Clarinet and Warm Winds events. He tells CutCommon about his values when it comes to performing chamber music, particularly in an educational setting.
Christoffer will also present a public ANAM Masterclass to those interested in watching him share his expertise.
Christoffer, what do you love most about working with Australia’s newest music stars?
Enthusiasm and open-mindedness would be key words. I know how great the young artists are, and I can’t wait to start this journey together!
You’re going to be involved in a couple of upcoming performances together — Warm Winds and Mostly Mozart. When you perform, it’s your role not only to ensure the audience has a great time, but to become a role model for the musicians who are on stage with you. How do you use your own performance as an educational experience in itself?
I do think that if the performers have a good time, the audience will.
Every concert is unique, and what happens will never happen again. We must take care of that situation and try to enjoy every minute. Preparation and rehearsing is one thing, but for the concert we need to let it happen.
You’re directing both of these concerts as well as playing in them. How do you navigate those two roles at the same time?
Honestly, I’m a bit nervous about this! As I’m not a conductor, I approach everything as chamber music. I might take a leading role, especially in rehearsals, for time limit reasons. I’m enthusiastic how this new situation will work.
Within that space, how do you like to make yourself approachable to ANAM musicians — for instance, to encourage them to ask questions or express themselves during the rehearsals?
In chamber music, everyone’s voice is unique and important.
Of course, I will have suggestions, ideas, and plans for the rehearsals. These works are all very important for me, so I guess I will have visions that more or less will have an impact on the result.
This is all happening behind the scenes — but on the flip side, how do you like to engage your listeners in ANAM’s concerts?
Good question. In this case, [we] would showcase what we have learnt together from each other.
What are you excited about when it comes to Warm Winds?
Warm Winds presents remarkable works of great substance. [Composers] Carl Nielsen and Sebastian Fagerlund also represent the Nordic countries, and I feel very connected to both composers.
Sebastian Fagerlund is also my good friend, and I have had the honour to work closely together with him in the clarinet concerto, trio, sonata, and other pieces written for the clarinet.
You’re also directing and performing in Mostly Mozart: Glories of the Clarinet. What are the glories of the clarinet, to you?
Here, I’m glad to present the music of Bernhard Crusell.
Crusell was born in Finland, then part of Sweden, and lived and worked at the the same time as Beethoven, Weber, Spohr among others. His refined skills as a composer are underestimated, in my opinion. As a clarinettist, there is no doubt he was a great virtuoso of his time.
The Mozart Stadler Clarinet Quintet in A major does not need further , but there are several things that connect Crusell’s Grand Clarinet Concerto No. 2 in F minor and the Stadler quintet: the singing qualities of the clarinet, the opera-like form of the themes presented, and the virtuosity of the instrumentalists — Crusell himself and Anton Stadler.
What’ll take place in your masterclass in May?
Too early to say, but a lot of clarinet!
Experience Mostly Mozart: Glories of the Clarinet at 11am May 20 in Elisabeth Murdoch Hall, and Warm Winds at 7pm May 24 in Abbotsford Convent.
Christoffer’s ANAM Masterclass will take place at 10.30am May 21 in Abbotsford Convent, and is open to the public.
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