Concert programs

Karin Lagergren and the ensemble Gemma offer the following programs:

Photo: Martina Wärenfeldt. 

Simple Gifts –  Female Devotion in the late Middle Ages

The Swiss Ensemble Peregrina and Ensemble Gemma from Sweden breathe new life into the tradition of simple polyphony that arose from the Middle Ages onwards among women in monastic communities. Their repertoire, independent of trends but rich in inspiration, bears witness to the active musical life behind the walls that separated the nuns from the outside world. Although traces of it can be found all over Europe, the practice resonates most strongly in the Low Countries, where there was a long tradition of female devotion. For this programme, the musicians sought out the sounds of 15th-century manuscripts, probably used in a convent in Utrecht and at the convent of the Poor Clares in Brussels: silent witnesses to a forgotten slice of music history. This program can also be adapted into a Christmas program. Listen to a sample under Media – Live Recordings on this website.

The Miracles of Our Lady

Throughout the Middle Ages, the Virgin Mary was the most sung and written about woman, often called Our Lady. This programme features songs by the 13th century French monk Gautier de Coincy (1177-1236), selected from his collection Miracles de Nostre Dame: Miracles of Our Lady. The songs are interspersed with medieval Swedish Marian miracle stories, such as the miracle of Our Lady’s tunic and the miracle of the knight and the joust. These miracle stories are taken from Fornsvenska legendariet (the Old Swedish Legendary) – one of the Swedish bestsellers of the Middle Ages. The programme is performed in a lightly staged form. Participants include Karin Lagergren (vocals), Emelie Roos (recorder, vocals) and Dohyo Sol (lute, vocals).

Botvid and the miracles

This program is a collaboration between Karin Lagergren, Gemma and author, journalist and film maker Maja Hagerman around Saint Botvid of Botkyrka, the apostle of Sörmland. It is a program about memory and oblivion where chants from the Office of Saint Botvid are sung for the first time since the Middle Ages. Here an example from a concert in Botkyrka church 20 August 2022 of the sequence Almi patris merita. Johannes Geworkian Hellman plays hurdy-gurdy. The program is reworked during 2024 to include reconstructed chants for Botvid from fragmentary sources that also will include an edition of the chants. This work is supported by Helge Ax:son Johnsons Stiftelse, Åke Wibergs Stiftelse, Strängnäs Stiftshistoriska Sällskap, and Segelbergska Stiftelsen för liturgihistorisk forskning.

THE OFFICE OF ST SIGFRID – SWEDEN´S OLDEST CHURCH MUSIC

In the 13th century, chants were composed in Växjö, Sweden, honouring St Sigfrid, the apostle of Småland. These chants are some of the oldest preserved music created in Sweden. In this concert version of the office, delectable Gregorian chants from the office meet captivating instrumental versions on hurdy-gurdy, and readings from the Sigfrid legend.

In this concert program, the ensemble Gemma collaborates with Sweden’s most talented hurdy-gurdy player, Johannes Geworkian Hellman, and the reciter, Thomas Ekelöf, who reads from Sigfrid’s legend. A recording of the Office of St Sigfrid is available on Sterling Records.

The concert program was created for the occasion of the Växjö Diocese’s 850-year jubilee. It has received financial support by a number of prestigious institutions: is supported by Linnaeus University, Småland Musikarkiv/Musik i Syd, the Växjö Diocese, and City of Växjö.

MARIA! MARIA!

The program Maria! Maria! presents chants from the Birgittine sisters unique office the Cantus Sororum (The Song of the Sisters): the only liturgical repertoire ever to have been compiled in order to be sung by only women. The program combines chants with readings from St Birgitta’s revelations where the listener is invited to take part of the Birgittine spirituality focused on the Virgin Mary. The chants come from Birgittine manuscripts dating from the 15th century to the 19th century reflecting the Order’s long history. This is a sounding result of Karin Lagergren’s long research in the Birgittine chant and liturgy. A recording is released on Sterling Records.

Gaude Birgitta –  A narrative concert about St Birgitta of Sweden

Gaude Birgitta is a solo performance somewhere between a concert and a lecture with live music. With the arrival of St Birgitta in Rome in 1349 and her death in 1373 as frame for the narrative, Karin Lagergren tells the story of Birgitta’s vocation, her abbey, and chant’s position within this highly unique monastic creation.

The first public performance of the program took place in 2017 and has since then been performed a significant number of times in both large and small contexts. Since word and song intertwine seamlessly, the program best suits smaller rooms where no microphone is needed.

This short movie includes a presentation of the program and its underlaying ideas:
https://lnu.se/mot-linneuniversitetet/aktuellt/nyheter/2019/karin-ger-konserter-i-klostermusik-for-att-na-fler-med-sin-forskning/

Maria! Maria! –  Chant from the Order of the Birgittines

Chant from the Birgittine sisters has been on the menu for many years for ensemble Gemma. This program exists in many variants and can be adjusted according to different wishes. Also reading from St. Birgitta’s revelations can be incorporated in the program.

Booking and information

To book or for more information about these programs, contact Karin Lagergren. In addition to the above program, customized concert programs, courses, workshops, and lectures can be arranged I am looking forward discussing your idea!