Sivelöv - Twist and Shout

Twist and Shout had its origins in some recitals that Sivelöv played with one of Sweden's brightest young clarinet virtuosos, Martin Fröst. At a Paris concert, Sivelöv noticed that Fröst was athletic in his performance, and also had a strong physical stage presence.

To take advantage of these qualities, Sivelöv composed this solo clarinet work with elements of mime and use of the player's voice. In five brief scenes framed by an introduction and an epilogue, the piece tells the story of the life cycle of a puppet from its construction to its end. The music is only about seven and a half minutes long, though it takes longer in live performance due to the clarinetist's miming.

The title of the piece, taken from a well known rock 'n' roll classic, does not signify that there is any quotation from that song. Rather, it refers to the fact that the performer, in addition to playing the clarinet, moves his body in the mime and sometimes shouts, sometimes speaks, sometimes sings notes. Although the work was devised for a particular performer who can mime and dance in addition to playing his part, it is also written such that it can be performed without the stage presentation.

The music itself sounds serial. At least for the most part, it seems to lack a central tonality, and has the kinds of leaps to unpredictable intervals that marks that technique of composition. Its quick movement from stage to stage of the puppet's life keeps it accessible to the audience, and in the end it achieves a touching degree of pathos.

Niklas Sivelöv (b. 1968) is primarily known as a concert pianist who gained international fame in the 1990s following a string of prizes at international competitions. He has played with some of the leading orchestras and conductors in the world, has played solo recitals in leading halls, and frequently plays chamber music and accompanies other well-known young musicians in concerts.
The distinctions Niklas Sivelöv has received are many and impressive signifying his position as leading Nordic pianist. His recording of own improvisations over Bellman’s music was awarded the important The Independent Music Awards, where he as the first Swede ever won the prize for the best classical album and was elected Winner of Vox Populi poll, a component of the 8th IMA program. Former winners include names like Norah Jones, Tom Waits and Peter Gabriel.

 He has received the Diapason d’Or (Berwald’s Piano Concerto), Cannes nomination for best 20th century recording (Einar Englund’s Piano Concerto No.1) and Penguin Record Guide’s highest marks (Piano works by Wilhelm Stenhammar and Wilhelm Peterson-Berger). His Skrjabin recording, The Fanfare magazine called, one of the best editions ever". Niklas Sivelöv was recently also elected for the Steinway Hall of Fame

 Practically as early as he began performing professionally he released his own compositions. One of his initial successes was his tuba sonata  of 1992 written for Oystein Baadsvik.
His music has been performed by artists such as Patrick Gallois