Grant Brings Two of Sweden’s Finest Musicians to Canada

GroundSwell, an annual Winnipeg concert series, was able to include a Swedish oboe and percussion duo in its 2019 concert lineup thanks to a Canada Council grant.

Sharing music from around the world with Canadians

GroundSwell is Manitoba’s only series dedicated to presenting contemporary music, and has been presenting audiences with the best new music from Canada and around the world for more than 30 years. It encourages guest artists to present a diverse repertoire that will showcase local music as well as music from their home countries—creating a cultural exchange of sorts. Having the Swedish duo perform in Canada allowed Canadian audiences to discover the virtuosity of two excellent performers.

Joining Swedish and Canadian cultural impulses

Jonny Axelsson and Fredrik Söhngen are among the finest Swedish performers in new music today. Thanks to a Canada Council grant, GroundSwell was able to arrange performances for them at three Canadian concerts—two in Winnipeg and one in Toronto. The duo premiered a new composition for oboe, percussion and live electronics by Canadian composer Eliot Britton, as well as one by Axelsson.