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On June 2-3, the newly written chamber opera Challenger will be performed at Folkoperan in Stockholm. A truly fantastic collaboration with the independent opera company Kamraterna, librettist Sigrid Herrault, and director Ola Eliasson.

A gripping story that highlights the individual’s role in disasters and the tension between human hope and ingenuity on the one hand, and stupidity, bureaucratic coldness, and arrogance on the other.

On January 28, 1986, the space shuttle Challenger lifted off from Cape Canaveral. Seventy‑three seconds later, the spacecraft exploded in front of live television cameras. This is the subject of Kamraterna’s first newly written opera, Challenger, by Joel Thoor Engström and Sigrid Herrault.

The music moves with playful precision between human fragility and the mechanical pulse of the system. Rhythms from NASA’s control room meet floating melodies and an electronically driven, 1980s‑inspired soundscape. Synths throb like the heart of the machine that was meant to carry humanity into space, while the glittering, hyper‑modern aesthetics of the era form a contrast to the darkness of the disaster – a digital sheen that both entices and alarms.

Based in Stockholm, Sweden, Joel writes music for many different types of ensembles and orchestras. His music, which has been described as "exciting and sonorous" - (Hallands Nyheter), "musically excellent and a powerful experience" - (operalogg.com) and "resonant" - (DN), is characterised by both colourful and impactful expressions in rythm and harmony as well as a lyrical tenderness.

Please feel free to explore samples of Joel's music, read a full bio or whatch video clips via the menues. If you want to know more or have interest in purchasing scores then contact joelengmusic(at)gmail.com.

NEWS

EBBC 2023 Malmö

A very successful event at Malmö Live in May this year!

Thank you to European Brass Band Association Musik i Syd, and Brassmusik Skåne for this wonderful opportunity! My piece Aurora got no less than 14 fantastic renditions, each one very unique and masterfully executed. Congratulations to Brass Band Treize Etoiles for claiming the title of European champions!

Above is a performance by the brilliant Göta Brass Band. The whole event was recorded and can be viewed on demand at World of Brass https://wobplay.com/

Read more about the event here: https://www.ebba.eu.com

Read about the piece:

https://www.4barsrest.com/articles/2023/2003.asp

https://ebba.eu.com/set-test-pieces-malmo-ebbc-2023/?fbclid=IwAR1Vfjg2vwMrLhJte1veqH6Zb9T2myFqeNhIkVX1QwEx_Z75XWRjl15EjS4