and A musicalLost journey to 18th-centuryFound Tórshavn SVABONIO Angelika Nielsen – violin Daniel Rye – clarinet, bass clarinet Fiona Parker – French horn, natural horn Ólavur Jakobsen – guitar
Arrangements: Daniel Rye Recording & Editing: Paul Arden-Taylor Artwork: Archibald Black Layout & Design: Uni Árting Booklet texts: Ólavur Jakobsen & Daniel Rye
Recorded 1 & 2 April 2017 at The Steiner Academy Hereford, UK
This recording was made possible by grants from Mentanargrunnur Landsins and Loftbrúgvin SVABONIO 1. The Crown Prince’s March/James’s Maggot/ Angelika Nielsen – violin La Nouvelle Allemande [3:01] 2. Minuet in A [1:42] Daniel Rye – clarinet, bass clarinet 3. Cotillion [2:12] Fiona Parker – French horn, natural horn 4. Minuet & Trio in D [2:32] Ólavur Jakobsen – guitar 5. Masquerade/The Topp [2:16] 6. Le Tambourin/Minuet in G minor [3:23] 7. The Cavalier [1:14] 8. I Went Alone [1:10] 9. Dessau March/Contredanse [2:30] 10. Spanish Dance [2:54] Arrangements: Daniel Rye 11. Minuet in G [1:31] Recording & Editing: Paul Arden-Taylor 12. Polonaise & Minuet [1:49] 13. Two English Dances [3:24] Artwork: Archibald Black 14. Minuet in G [1:44] Layout & Design: Uni Árting 15. La Favorite du Comte [1:32] Booklet texts: Ólavur Jakobsen & Daniel Rye 16. Minuet in D minor/My Heart Smiles [4:01] 17. Dragoon March/Pancake Dance [2:58] Recorded 1 & 2 April 2017 at The Steiner Academy Hereford, UK 18. Contredanse [2:26] 19. The Dreamer/English Dance [1:55] This recording was made possible by grants from Mentanargrunnur 20. Two Minuets in G [3:27] Landsins and Loftbrúgvin 21. The Little Beauty [3:03] 22. Polonaise/The Little Capricious One/Minuet [2:46] 23. Minuet in G minor/The Honest Old Man [4:23] 24. March in D [1:17] 25. Ambraie Rigo [2:58] 26. Tramp Dance/Jig [2:14] A MUSICAL SKETCHBOOK
Jens Christian Svabo (1746- newly enlightened times – an would employ a French dancing 1824) was a man of insatiable era when Great Britain had a master, dances of the time curiosity and multiple king of German origin, and with brought the music of Europe intellectual and artistic talents. a sister as Queen of Denmark – French minuets, English jigs, On the title page of his music (until arrested after a masked German allemandes, Spanish notebook (dated 1775) he ball, followed by exile, and her sarabandes – into the home, styled himself ‘Svabonio’ – the untimely death in 1775), and the tavern and the concert name we have adopted for when revolutionary ideas from hall. This mixture of styles from our group. This Italianisation France were either feared or around Europe eventually led to of his name was perhaps a welcomed, depending on one’s a common repertoire of tunes tongue-in-cheek recognition point of view. The Faroe Islands that became popular in many that Italian musicians were were also opening out to the countries. the stars of the age, both as world, with trading ships and performers, and as composers. foreign sailors arriving in the Even in the Faroes, European Some non-Italian composers harbour of Tórshavn. dances were so popular that did indeed change their names Svabo himself was concerned to Italian forms in an attempt European musicians in the that they might replace the to be taken more seriously. The late 18th century not only traditional Faroese chain name also connects with the travelled across borders, but dance: ‘At notable weddings Latinised form of his clergyman their music was also a sort of and celebrations, especially father’s name - Svabonius. Grand Tour, encompassing in Tórshavn, the Faroese Both names encapsulate the different national styles. At a dance is very much starting cosmopolitan outlook of these time when wealthy families to fall out of fashion, and in A MUSICAL SKETCHBOOK newly enlightened times – an would employ a French dancing its place, minuets, Polish, era when Great Britain had a master, dances of the time English, Scottish dances, reels king of German origin, and with brought the music of Europe and contradances, are being a sister as Queen of Denmark – French minuets, English jigs, introduced.’ [Reports from (until arrested after a masked German allemandes, Spanish Travels in the Faroe Islands, ball, followed by exile, and her sarabandes – into the home, 1781 and 1782] untimely death in 1775), and the tavern and the concert when revolutionary ideas from hall. This mixture of styles from In the 18th century, ideas of France were either feared or around Europe eventually led to national music were starting welcomed, depending on one’s a common repertoire of tunes to develop, but there was point of view. The Faroe Islands that became popular in many no distinction in the modern were also opening out to the countries. sense between ‘classical’ and world, with trading ships and ‘folk’ music. Everyday music foreign sailors arriving in the Even in the Faroes, European was functional – usually for harbour of Tórshavn. dances were so popular that dance or song – with not too Svabo himself was concerned much concern about who European musicians in the that they might replace the had composed it (not a single late 18th century not only traditional Faroese chain composer is named in Svabo’s travelled across borders, but dance: ‘At notable weddings book). The style in which their music was also a sort of and celebrations, especially music was played might vary Grand Tour, encompassing in Tórshavn, the Faroese according to context, but the different national styles. At a dance is very much starting same melody could just as time when wealthy families to fall out of fashion, and in much have been heard in the ballroom of a noble house as There are well over 200 drawing rooms, to the rough in a street tavern. fiddle tunes in Svabo’s book and tumble of country dances, and nearly all of them are with the bright flashes of military Svabo collected melodies of unaccompanied, with just uniforms (reflected in musical many kinds in his notebook, a handful having a part for form in marches) reminding us though most are dance tunes, second violin. I have been that these were also unstable including a large number very free in my arrangements: times in Northern Europe. of minuets. As the book rather than aiming for historical progresses, the handwriting reconstruction, I have allowed We lack evidence for the use of becomes less neat, suggesting each tune to take a different Svabo’s music book in Tórshavn that he might have added direction. Sometimes this leads after his return to the Faroes, tunes to the book in later to an echo of Classical 18th- but if he came across fellow years, possibly including his century composition, and at musicians on other instruments own compositions. Svabo was other times the tunes take a – maybe even a clarinet, horn clearly an accomplished violinist journey towards more modern or guitar – surely he would have and must have carried his harmonies. I hope that they opened his violin case and pocket-sized book around with convey the spirit of the times some of these tunes might have him in Copenhagen. Whether in all their diversity, from urban wafted in the air between the he played just for friends or sophistication to rustic jollity, turf-roofed houses in the narrow managed to earn a few coins by bringing to life in the imagination lanes of old Tórshavn, bringing playing for more formal dances all the sights and sounds that the music of continental Europe is not known. Svabo might have encountered, to his homeland. from the refinement of noble Daniel Rye There are well over 200 drawing rooms, to the rough NOTE: Many of the tunes in Svabo’s fiddle tunes in Svabo’s book and tumble of country dances, book do not have titles. Of those that do, some are difficult to decipher and are in and nearly all of them are with the bright flashes of military a mixture of languages. For this CD we unaccompanied, with just uniforms (reflected in musical have decided to use English versions of a handful having a part for form in marches) reminding us Svabo’s titles in most cases (sometimes second violin. I have been that these were also unstable involving informed guesswork), while leaving a few ambiguous titles as they are very free in my arrangements: times in Northern Europe. originally written. rather than aiming for historical reconstruction, I have allowed We lack evidence for the use of each tune to take a different Svabo’s music book in Tórshavn direction. Sometimes this leads after his return to the Faroes, to an echo of Classical 18th- but if he came across fellow century composition, and at musicians on other instruments other times the tunes take a – maybe even a clarinet, horn journey towards more modern or guitar – surely he would have harmonies. I hope that they opened his violin case and convey the spirit of the times some of these tunes might have in all their diversity, from urban wafted in the air between the sophistication to rustic jollity, turf-roofed houses in the narrow bringing to life in the imagination lanes of old Tórshavn, bringing all the sights and sounds that the music of continental Europe Svabo might have encountered, to his homeland. from the refinement of noble Daniel Rye THE SWALLOW THAT NEVER HAD A SUMMER
The life and work of Faroese up with practical solutions to hopes and leave the thoughts polymath Jens Christian Svabo improve the lot of the Faroese of any bright prospects to fate. can be likened to a swallow population. But almost nothing And worry myself to death that never gets to experience of this work was printed during there. To come home and have a summer. This striking image Svabo’s lifetime. Hardly any of fingers pointing towards me: by the scholar Reidar Djupedal his advice was followed, and he “there he is!” That is almost sums up the sad story of received virtually no payment or worse than death!’ Svabo’s time on earth. even thanks for all his efforts. But his entreaty worked: the Svabo collected and wrote In the spring of the year 1800, Treasury granted Svabo his down thousands of Faroese after 35 years of exile in travel expenses and sent words, before the language Copenhagen, Svabo’s life hit people into town to buy some had an agreed written form, rock bottom. This is what he new clothes for him. However, laying the foundations for a wrote to the Danish Treasury, he could not collect the rest of Faroese dictionary; he rescued pleading for help to return to his expenses until he was in the Faroe Islands’ precious the Faroes: Tórshavn. cultural treasure – the old ballads – from oblivion; ‘Now I don´t know which Svabo arrived in the Faroese he wrote an outstanding corner of the earth to turn to to capital in July 1800 on the ethnographic account of the pray for help and a consoling ship Catherine Margrethe, Faroes; he investigated many answer. I would like to travel and joined the household of different economic and cultural back to my homeland and, in his sister, Armgarð Maria (wife phenomena; and he came quiet moments, try to forget my of the bailiff Hammershaimb), THE SWALLOW THAT NEVER HAD A SUMMER up with practical solutions to hopes and leave the thoughts in Nýggjastova in Gongin, improve the lot of the Faroese of any bright prospects to fate. Tórshavn’s main street. He later population. But almost nothing And worry myself to death moved to a rented room in of this work was printed during there. To come home and have Pætursastova in Bringsnagøta. Svabo’s lifetime. Hardly any of fingers pointing towards me: These houses still exist today. his advice was followed, and he “there he is!” That is almost received virtually no payment or worse than death!’ So he had returned home at even thanks for all his efforts. the age of 54, without having But his entreaty worked: the completed his education, with In the spring of the year 1800, Treasury granted Svabo his no employment in prospect and after 35 years of exile in travel expenses and sent with no likely job offers. In effect Copenhagen, Svabo’s life hit people into town to buy some he had been sent home to the rock bottom. This is what he new clothes for him. However, Faroes like a destitute vagrant, wrote to the Danish Treasury, he could not collect the rest of and with help from the poor pleading for help to return to his expenses until he was in relief fund, to spend his last the Faroes: Tórshavn. years in obscurity.
‘Now I don´t know which Svabo arrived in the Faroese In the eyes of Faroese society, corner of the earth to turn to to capital in July 1800 on the however, Svabo was from good pray for help and a consoling ship Catherine Margrethe, stock. He was born in 1746 in answer. I would like to travel and joined the household of Miðvágur, the son of a priest. back to my homeland and, in his sister, Armgarð Maria (wife His mother was from one of the quiet moments, try to forget my of the bailiff Hammershaimb), most powerful families in the Faroes, whose line included the press were introduced in the Faroe Islands did not appear in two prime ministers – both Danish Kingdom at this time. print until 1959) and he found learned men, who carried the himself with neither a job nor torch for Enlightenment ideas At first things looked bright for a regular income on his return in the archipelago. Together Svabo in Copenhagen: he was to the Danish capital, ending with Nicolai Mohr, his fellow supported by people of power up lodging with a family in pupil from the Latin School and influence; he was a tutor for Skidenstræde, in one of the in Tórshavn, Svabo moved well-to-do families for a while, least desirable neighbourhoods to Copenhagen in 1762 to had work as a clerk, and started of the city. His final years of study Natural Sciences and his dictionary. He even travelled exile were marked by illness Economics. to London in 1775, although we and debt. How he survived this know very little about this trip. period is unknown, but scholars These were turbulent times in His intellectual curiosity and have speculated that he might Copenhagen. King Frederick VII perseverance led to him being have earned his daily bread suffered from a mental disorder sent to the Faroes to write a at this time by working as a and had, in effect, lost authority. report on the life and economy musician in Copenhagen. Struensee, the royal physician of the islands for the Danish and second in command, ran authorities and he returned to Svabo’s music notebook, which the country. There was much Copenhagen in 1782. is dated 1775 on the cover, opposition from the nobility must have come home with and the church, as power was Yet almost nothing of Svabo’s him in 1800. At some point it taken out of their hands, and work was published (his was put in a chest in the loft of yet freedom of speech and of Reports from Travels in the Nýggjustova, and did not see the press were introduced in the Faroe Islands did not appear in the light of day again until it Danish Kingdom at this time. print until 1959) and he found was discovered in 1928. himself with neither a job nor At first things looked bright for a regular income on his return So our album title, Lost Svabo in Copenhagen: he was to the Danish capital, ending and Found, can be said to supported by people of power up lodging with a family in be a description both of and influence; he was a tutor for Skidenstræde, in one of the Svabo’s life and of his work. well-to-do families for a while, least desirable neighbourhoods His achievements were not had work as a clerk, and started of the city. His final years of particularly recognised during his dictionary. He even travelled exile were marked by illness his lifetime, but the work that he to London in 1775, although we and debt. How he survived this left behind laid the foundations know very little about this trip. period is unknown, but scholars for scholarly research in Faroese His intellectual curiosity and have speculated that he might culture, language, society and perseverance led to him being have earned his daily bread history. sent to the Faroes to write a at this time by working as a report on the life and economy musician in Copenhagen. Ólavur Jakobsen of the islands for the Danish authorities and he returned to Svabo’s music notebook, which Copenhagen in 1782. is dated 1775 on the cover, must have come home with Yet almost nothing of Svabo’s him in 1800. At some point it work was published (his was put in a chest in the loft of Reports from Travels in the Nýggjustova, and did not see FKT071