The star musician knows the winds of change – Sydsvenskan

The void that has arisen, by all appearances, clarinetist Martin Fröst hopes will lead to something good. Not least, allow time to explore and find new collaborations.Image: Amir Nabizadeh / TT

During his 30-year career, he has performed on the big stage and has had critics shouting praise from around the world. At the same time, Martin Fröst has become known as an unconventional musician who likes to explore new ways of presenting classical music on stage. She has performed Bach-Gounod’s “Ave Maria” on roller skates, performed Anders Hillborg’s “Peacock Tales” dancing with a bird mask on her face, and has made groundbreaking collaborations with filmmakers, choreographers and dancers.

Has a worldwide audience and a concert calendar that is fully subscribed until 2024. In short, it is one of those who have a lot to gain if everything returns to normal after the pandemic. But Martin Fröst feels the winds of change blowing. At least a slight breeze, looking out the window to the future that has opened this year crown. And in that future, Fröst believes that innovators do better.

– It has something to do with how our entire existence revolves around growth and expansion. Everything should be faster, better, more compressed and more of everything. This treadmill definitely applies to classical musicians as well, who want to play more and more and for higher fees and larger audiences. In a way, it’s an incredible opportunity when everything is set up.

He is aware of that he is very concerned and that the pandemic is a tragedy for many in his union. But he also sees the need to think of something new in the classical music industry. Will people buy records in the future? Why should Tokyo, which has nine orchestras of its own, receive touring orchestras all the time?

– Before the pandemic, I toured China at the same time as four other orchestras from around the world. Huge 140-man orchestras, who went by private jet to the exact same venues as me and the orchestra I played with, and played almost the same repertoire. I think time is completely up. It will never come back, says Martin Fröst.

Another change he hopes there will be greater opportunities for artistic pursuit. Classical music is a bit like elite sports; if you want to be in business, you have to practice long hours every day. There will be plenty of time left for free exploration and unplanned collaborations, which many musicians now have the opportunity to practice in the void that has arisen when concerts are canceled.

– We are completely busy refining our practice. If you could slow down a bit, that time could be used to find other ways.

Martin Fröst, for his part, is one of the musicians who has really sought renewal. He has always had projects underway that will “shake up” the traditional classical world. But he is happy to admit that there is something charming about playing in front of an audience in famous concert halls like Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center, Albert Hall or the Berliner Philharmoniker. The magic also happened in the first concert of his life with an orchestra. I was then 14-15 years old and unprepared for the power that comes from a room full of people and loud acoustics.

– I really couldn’t handle it, I remember. I was shocked and so moved that I was about to start crying when I played, not because of my own music, but because of the experience itself.

Had the joy of playing with him from the childhood home in the village of Kyrkdal between Sollefteå and Kramfors. The parents were doctors but also amateur musicians who helped create a chamber orchestra in Sundsvall. Lust was fundamental in the music scene. Today, not only Martin, but also his two brothers Johan and Göran are professional musicians.

In addition to desire, there was also a high level of ambition and a strong self-deprecating attitude. Good for getting ahead, but “a bad way to live life” as it says.

– Over the years, I have improved in feeling joy for what I really believe together with others. TT