There was another time…

Odd Sneeggen and Johan Berke

A radio drama (Hörspiel) which turns to the Lucia tradition in Sweden for inspiration. Composed by Johan Berke and Odd Sneeggen following on from their studies of the various traditions active in Sweden during the 19th century. Their approach was to investigate the origins in folklore of what, since the 20th century in particular, has turned into an annual celebration all over Sweden. Such origins point, in fact, to significant differences with the current middle-class way of understanding the tradition.

The figure of Lucia in folklore has associations with Lucifer and many strange things happen on the night prior to the Lucia celebrations (typically December 13), and the Devil – or his conspirators – appear frequently in a variety of forms. Stories originating in Västergötland, which provide the basis for this radio drama, point to a Devil figure known as Lusse-Per; specific superstitions and instructions about to make it through the night of Lucia unscathed vary from one district to another.

In addition to such stories recounted by means of dialect, the play consists of a specially-written saxophone quartet and music for piano by Odd Sneeggen and other music and various audio adaptations by Johan Berke. Berke has also written the story that weaves together the music and recorded local stories about what happened on the night of Lucia.

Excerpts from the radio show “Lucia celebrations in Habo”, which was first broadcast in 1949, are also included in the sound tissue.

First performance: Kaleidoscope (a radio programme on Swedish Public Radio), Tuesday, December 18, 2007.

There was another time, Part 2

Odd Sneeggen and Johan Berke.

During the magical midsummer night, anything can happen – especially if you happen to be in the wrong place at the wrong time… Maybe there is some truth in the folklore. Who wrote our history – and why? How far really is the future?

Such questions emerge in this piece, There was another time, Part 2, specially written for Kaleidoscope: a dream play meditation for radio about the Swedish midsummer tradition by Odd Sneeggen and Johan Berke.

First performance: Kaleidoscope (a radio programme on Swedish Public Radio), Monday, June 22, 2009.