Projects
Baroque
Idenstam’s arrangements of dance movements by Praetorius or Lully, a Suite from Golovinmusiken by Swedish Baroque composer Johan Helmich Roman.
Some large Bach works and Swedish folk music.
The Cahman organ from 1728 in Lövstabruk, Sweden
The Symphonic Organ
The Sonata by Julius Reubke or works by Marcel Dupré. Idenstam’s transcriptions of orchestral works by Bruckner’s 8th Symphony Debussy La mer, Ravel Daphnis et Chloe and Bolero or a suite from Carmina Burana by Carl Orff.
Monaco Cathedral. Organ by Dominique Thomas
Metal Angel
An hour of Idenstam’s largest work, virtuosic and meditative pieces for large symphonic organ, each piece associated with a different angel in a gothic fantasy landscape. The musical language of these pieces is virtuosic and influenced both by the French cathedral tradition of the mid 20th century, and symphonic rock. It reflects our time - a time in which we have to deal with conflict, war and climate crisis.
Angel in Monaco Cathedral
Peaceful Organ
Meditative improvisations for a turbulent time interwoven with some Swedish folk tunes and the church lit by many candles.
Northern Dances
Epic Scandinavian folk music with Erik Rydvall, nyckelharpa. The realm of folk dance is a fascinating soundscape of irregular pulse, ostinato like melody figures and improvised sections. The melodic and rhythmic variations are equally rich both in the musical tradition and in the tradition of different types of dances... Majestic power, raw energy, clear elegance and meditation meet in a ecstatic musical dance.
Bach på svenska
(Bach in Swedish)
The duo with Lisa Rydberg, fiddle, and Gunnar Idenstam, harmonium, has been touring Europe for 20 years with appearances in venues so different like Bachbiennale Leipzig and outdoor scenes in folk music festivals. Father Bach is invited to dance his dances played by Swedish folk musicians.
March, Bourrée, Gavotte, Polonaise, Polska, Schottis..... they are all very close to each other. Harmonium is considered the most traditional of the keyboard instruments in Sweden and Finland, so therefor it is used here, but the project is also suitable for two manual mechanical organs.
