Folkbildningsoperan is a sonic artwork based on the program catalogue of ABF Stockholm (The Stockholm section of the Workers’ Educational Association) printed in 1922, 100 years ago. Every word and symbol in this impressive pamphlet has been recorded, read by modern voice actors, all of whom are well versed in the crucial importance of civic continuing education – still a strong and vivid tradition in Sweden. Festive speeches, formalities, catalogues of available lecturers for hire or instructional films to be borrowed are combined with varyingly serious advertisements for porridge breakfasts, newly published books and methods of attaining success through autosuggestion.
The composition begins with this mosaic of voices but develops through its own musical pulse and progression.
Opening at
HÄGERSTENSÅSENS MEDBORGARHUS
listen to it at
RADIOART.SE
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CONCEPT AND TEXT EDITING John Swedenmark
RECORDING AND SOUND COMPOSITION Susanne Skog
PRODUCER AND PROJECT MANAGER Elisabeth Bredberg
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CONTRIBUTING VOICES
Per Almgren, Cornelia Andersson, Lars Andersson, Elnaz Baghlanian, Magnus Berg, Christofer Bocker, Kjersti Bosdotter, Emil Boss, Elisabeth Bredberg, Maja Bronner, Magnus Bunnskog, Helena Collert, Marie Dahlin, Sebastian Dahlqvist, Clara Diesen, Emil Ekberg, Göran Eriksson, Ingela Espmark, Magnus Florin, Maria Fritzell, Cecilia Garme, Marie Gavois, Peter Gustavsson, Tom Floyd Halvarsson, Lydia Halvarsson, Per Hasselberg, Joa Helgesson, Annika Heyman, Harald Hultqvist, Olov Hyllienmark, Elof Hellström, Anneli Jordahl, John Kinell, Åke Larsson, Ida Linde, Klara Lindgren, Kari Løvaas, Ida Lundén, Jonas Modig, Calle Nathanson, Ivo Nilsson, Hannah Ohlén Järvinen, Grethe Rottböll, Susanne Skog, Petra Skogh, Marianne Steinsaphir, John Swedenmark, Per Sörberg, Erik Tängerstad, Jenny Teleman, Karin Tengby, Lisa Ullén, Agneta Wallin, Petra Werner, Jenny Wrangborg
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PRODUCED BY RADIOART
with support from the Swedish Arts Council and the Helge Ax:son Johnsons Foundation
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A text by
John Swedenmark
on the composition,
in Swedish.