Biography

Fredrik Sixten (b. 1962) is a trained organist and conductor. He has studied composition with Sven-David Sandström. He has been organist and choir director in Vänersborg (1991–2000), artistic director and conductor of Gothenburg's boys' choir (1997–2001), cathedral organist in Härnösand cathedral (2001–2013) and cantor in Nidaros Cathedral
in Trondheim (2013–2014). During this period, however, the number of requests for commissioned works increased, and in 2014 he decided to devote himself entirely to composing.

Fredrik Sixten's compositions are based on a varied and broad knowledge of music history, where Baroque master Johann Sebastian Bach and 20th-century French composers are important sources of inspiration. A closeness to various expressions within jazz as well as to Swedish folk music are also recognizable as important parts of Sixten's tonal language.

The focus of Sixten's compositional work is liturgical music for organ and choir in various combinations. In addition, he writes instrumental music for different contexts. Usually he works within the framework of established forms. His list of works includes extensive compositions such as opera, oratorios and passions as well as chamber music works such as sonatas, toccatos and preludes and not least a large number of contributions to choral literature. At the same time, he approaches the traditional forms with a desire to develop them.

Ideas about contextual anchoring, gender perspective or a harmonious unconventional tone of voice, can be what gives modern perspectives in relation to the established. An example of this isA Swedish St. Mark's Passion(2003) which is partly the first "passion" composed in Swedish dialect and where a female singer sings the evangelist parts.

With a starting point in parish work and its focus on utility music for the service, Sixten has placed great emphasis on composing liturgical music that can not only be used in connection with concerts. He has an extensive production that is adapted for general use and, in addition to numerous works for choir of affordable difficulty, has been involved in the work of renewing the Swedish hymnal.

A similar line of thought can be found in Sixten's attitude to the listener. If parts of his compositions are written so that church choirs in the congregations can perform them, the music composed for the concert is written with the desire that it will be appreciated by music connoisseurs as well as broad masses of listeners.

Even in instrumental music, Sixten focuses on the melodic and tonally sound as a fundamental component, preferably in combination with challenging harmonization and surprising turns in the music. In this way, he wants to place himself outside of discussions about the relationship between modernism and tradition and prefers to see both as parts of the same art-musical framework.

Related Products
Tantum ergo
Tantum ergo
For soprano and mixed choir a cappella. The text is part of Thomas Aquinas's Pange lingua.
Sixten, Fredrik
SATB div, soprano solo
37 kr
Jubilate Deo
Jubilate Deo
Exuberant, magnificent a cappella music.
Sixten, Fredrik
SATB div
54 kr
Hail Mary Stella
For choir SATB div. Latin text. Quiet homophonic sections are replaced by livelier imitative and polyphonic parts of the work.
Sixten, Fredrik
SATB div a cappella
37 kr
The stars arc in the sky
For melody and treble part with piano. A simple Christmas carol with a very colorful and naïve text that works well for both children's and adult choirs.
Sixten, Fredrik
SA/unison + piano
26 kr
Puer natus est
For SA and piano or organ. Text from the introitus antiphon in Christmas Day's third mass Isa. 9:6. Swedish interpretation: Anders Piltz.
Sixten, Fredrik
SA + organ/piano
37 kr
I won't miss anything
The text, which is written by Christina Lövestam, is based on the famous psalter text Herren er min Herde . The different moods in the text are varied in timbre and tempo changes, with the melody at the center.
Sixten, Fredrik
SA + piano
37 kr
Epilogue
Epilogue
For cello and piano.
Sixten, Fredrik
cello + piano
185 kr
Because you did not take the divine
For choir SAB and organ. Olov Hartman's text for Sv ps 38 set to music by Fredrik Sixten.
Sixten, Fredrik
SAB + organ
43 kr
Hail Mary
For SAB and piano. Latin text.
Sixten, Fredrik
SAB + piano
37 kr
O Magnum Mystery
For mixed choir a cappella.
Sixten, Fredrik
SATB div
37 kr
I stretch out my hands to you
Text from Psalm 143.
Sixten, Fredrik
SATB (div)
26 kr
In the darkness a thousand tracks shine
All Saints Hymn with text by Maria Küchen for choir SATB and piano.
Sixten, Fredrik
SATB + piano
37 kr