Improvisational one

The series gets off to a more than creditable start with pianist Niklas Sivelöv. Just before the recording is due to start, Niklas is given the theme for his improvisation – the Songs and Epistles of Carl Michael Bellman, famous Swedish poet and songwriter of the 18th century. We can guarantee that no such Bellman was ever heard previously, Cheeky, classical, jazzy and full of verve. Thirteen of the best-known epistles have been given new musical costumes, Aided by Niklas’ delicate fingers we are regaled with blue notes in the sadly beautiful epistle 30 (Drain off thy glass), Old man Noah struts his stuff through the key signatures, and in Epistle 44, (Movitz all alone) we travel from the 18th century to 20th century Jan Johansson’s Jazz in Swedish. Thus continues a genre-busting odyssey through the world of Bellman to a rumbustious finale aptly dubbed Finale Hurly-burly).

Niklas Sivelöv is a well-known pianist and composer whose performances have been rapturously received the world over. Among other things he is Assistant Professor of Piano at the Royal Danish Academy of Music in Copenhagen. From this recording we now know that he is also an outstanding improviser.