To be

for cello and piano (2009)

Commissioned by the Concert Society "Villa Jägmästaren"
Duration: 18 minutes

Performed by Hampus Linderholm, cello and Johan Ullén, piano.
Live recording from Strängnäs Summer Music in Strängnäs Domkyrka, 9th August 2009.

Score

Piano score and cello part are published by the Swedish Music Information Centre.

Johan Ullén_To be_för cello och piano_(2009)_Pianopartitur.pdf 422 KB

Commentary

This highly eclectic piece was commissioned by the Concert Society "Villa Jägmästaren", for the Strängnäs Summer Music, where I was the appointed "composer of the year" in 2009.

"To be" depicts the different stages of life, from before birth, through birth, childhood, adolescence and adulthood, all the way to the middle-age, the declining years and finally death.
The piece is composed as a set of variations, ten in all, over the "unborn" theme presented in the opening bars.