Caroline Ridderstolpe’s music remained virtually unknown for almost 200 years until Anna Paradiso rediscovered it during her research into nineteenth-century Swedish salon music. Born in Berlin, Ridderstolpe received an extensive musical education that included singing, instrument-playing, and composition. After marrying a member of the Swedish aristocracy, she settled in Sweden, where she participated in salons at the royal court and socialized with some of the finest musicians, writers, and painters of her time.
Ridderstolpe mainly composed songs and pieces for solo piano that belong to the genre of salon music. Far from being mediocre, as is sometimes claimed, this genre actually allows for greater intimacy with the listeners. Ridderstolpe’s songs are often based on poems by Swedish writers and represent a perfect union of text and music. According to Anna Paradiso, Caroline Ridderstolpe’s music has a kind of sadness and depth that could be described as ‘modern,’ reminiscent of the lieder of Beethoven, Schubert, and the Schumanns.
In keeping with the soundscape of Ridderstolpe’s era, the music is performed here by Anna Paradiso on an original square piano. The charm of this instrument lies not in the evenness of all the notes, as one might expect from a modern instrument, but in the independent beauty of each string. This piano is combined with the expressive voice of the eminent mezzo-soprano Kristina Hammarström. By giving voice once more to Caroline Ridderstolpe’s music, the performers aim to cast new light on women’s power over their own creativity and, therefore, over their own lives.
This album is also available in surround. Please send an email to sales@eclassical.com and we will send you a link when an order has been placed.
