Försvarsmusiken 500 år – det ska vi fira!

Conductors: Leif Karlsson and Pierre Torwald Join Hemvärnets Musikkår Göteborg on a musical journey through 500 years, with a glimpse into the future.

We highlight influential figures in the development of military music, including composers, musicians, leaders, conductors and other prominent figures. In Europe, Sweden – and Gothenburg, of course!

The earliest records concerning military musicians refer to Jacob trombaslagare and Feilintz pipare – two musicians who played at Stockholms slott during the reign of Gustav Vasa. The first military music accounts were drawn up in 1526, which can be considered the beginning of military music in Sweden. This would later develop into Kungliga Livgardets musik and Hovkapellet. In Gothenburg, records dating back to 1574 mention the presence of fifers and drummers at Älvsborgs fästning.

Since its beginnings, military music has been used for signalling, ceremonies and practical purposes. But military musicians also played the latest popular music. Musically reflected the society they were part of. Served as role models for young aspiring musicians. Military music flourished during the 19th century – not least thanks to the rapid technical development of wind instruments. Military musicians also became the backbone of the civilian musical life that grew with the construction of concert halls and opera houses.

What Spotify provides today was provided by military music for many hundreds of years.

Our soloists are Bengt Danielsson, trumpet, from Göteborgs Symfoniker, and Amelie Nyberg, flute, from Hemvärnets musikkår Göteborg. Bengt represents the many students from Musikhögskolan who have been able to develop their ensemble playing as active members of our band, while also enriching our concerts as soloists. Amelie is a fine example of all the accomplished amateur musicians who, over the years, have become a core part of our band's ranks.