Fredrick Schjelderup
Transitions in Energy for Brass Band
Transitions in Energy (Fredrick
Schjelderup 2024)
The piece reflects on the role of energy in the development of earth and society, climate concerns and hopefully a positive future beyond.
The piece is rooted in a central theme «Gaia», or Earth as illustrated below.
Theme: Gaia (Earth)
Transitions in Energy is written in 3 movements, The Past, The Present and The Future, played continuously:
The Present contains an “In Memoriam” to Alexander L. Kielland, the most impactful oil and gas disaster in Norway which capsized during a storm on the 27th March 1980. 123 lives were lost and many in Norway still seek full closure.
The Past - From nothing emerges everything
There is no warmth, no cold, no light, no dark, no matter, no life, a vast nothingness beyond comprehension. Forces of energy emerge and grow, building up to the Big Bang and the creation of our known universe. Chaos transcends into order and eventually, “Gaia”, our home, emerges in all its glorious beauty.
The Present - Human development
Access to cheap energy drives huge human development. Pioneers construct impossible things and frantic progress to improve the human condition ensues. Opportunities are endless, “Gaia” and its people become ever more connected, ever more prosperous. The accelerating societal advancement far outweighs known or unknown downsides.
INTERLUDE: Ode to the victims of the Alexander L. Kielland accident
The Interlude describes the emotional suffering and societal scars which remain live in Norway to this day. The music paints a picture of an empty space at sea, where life should have prevailed and where waves signify the calls of survivors who pay homage to those lost.
The Future: Ambitions for cleaner energy
Climate concerns emerge as an unparalleled threat, and society is impatient for solutions. The transition to cleaner energy requires new ambitions without which our home, «Gaia», will change forever. This unprecedented challenge requires collective human ingenuity to urgently develop and put in place solutions for continued progress.
We pray and together walk slowly into our future with an optimistic perspective.
“Transitions in Energy» is based on an idea and concept written by Olav M Skår.
Durata: approx. 17 ’
Fredrick Schjelderup
Fredrick Schjelderup (b. 1990) is a composer, arranger and conductor from Bergen (Norway).
Fredrick finished his bachelor’s degree in composing at Grieg Academy of Music (University of Bergen) in 2014, and has made a name for himself as a composer since then. Several times his music has been nominated for “Piece of the year” and “Newcomer of the year” at the Norwegian Music Publishers Award in the category “Classical / Contemporary Music”.
His music has on several occasions been selected as Set Test Pieces for a number of band competitions across Europe.
Fredrick has a long career behind him as a percussionist and his background in the brass band community is reflected in his work as a composer.