Sebastian Fagerlund: Drifts

Sebastian Fagerlund (b. 1972) is one of Finland´s foremost composers of his generation. He studied violin at the Turku Arts Academy before he entered composition studies at the Sibelius Academy in Helsinki. There he graduated in 2004 and had a breakthrough with his clarinet concerto two years later. His orchestral work Ignite, won the Teosto Prize in 2011, which is one of the main music prizes in Finland, awarded to works which are seen as new and original.

Fagerlund´s compositions have been characterized with rhythmical pulses, outwards motion and broad, vibrating harmonies. At some times all three elements happen simultaneously and at others one aspect remains in focus, but at all times the works are characterized by power and elegant development; it's clear where to: forwards.

Fagerlund is mainly known for his concertos and orchestral works; his output also counts numerous solo- and chamber works. He has written two operas; the chamber opera Döbeln (2008–2009) and Höstsonaten, which premiered at the Finnish National Opera in Helsinki last September. The opera is based on the same named movie by Ingmar Bergman and mezzo-soprano Anne Sofie von Otter sang the lead role. 

About Drifts
Drifts was commissioned by the Finnish Radio Symphony Orchestra, Gothenburg Symphony Orchestra and Galicia Symphony Orchestra in Spain.

The Finnish Radio Symphony Orchestra premiered the work last May with conductor Hannu Lintu.

Fagerlund has been the artistic director of the chamber music festival RUSK in Jakobstad in Finland from 2013 and during the winter of 2016-17 he was a composer in residence at the concert hall Concertgebouw in Amsterdam.