Title & composer

Four fragments

Sven-Erik Bäck

Composition year: 1971

Duration: 5 min

Contents: Och plötsligt är det afton ; Ur Frö ; Ur Muren ; Amen för söndagen efter påsk

Comments about the work: Sven-Erik Bäck is closely involved in his text, which he chooses both carefullyand personally. Often they deal with existential problems, with happiness butno less often with pain and grief. His has a basically humanist approach, oftenwith a tinge of religion. His songs Fragments (1971), originally written for voiceand piano, are a setting of words by Salvatore Quasimodo. The solo part iseminently singable, and invested with an expansive power. There is mildnessbehind the words, but also a suddenly emerging dramatic intensity whichcannot fail to strike the listener. A word like "genomborrad" (transfixed) cantake on an eruptive, Biblical significance. Sven-Erik Bäck sharpens words withhis music, bringing out their full expressive potential. Text: Ulla-Britt Edberg. From Phono Suecia nr (37) Translation: Roger Tanner