Fästen o fall (Handholds and downfalls) was composed for Musica Vitae and the Omnibus Wind Ensemble, commissioned by the Swedish Concert Institut. Despite the relatively large ensemble of 28 musicians, the music has "chamber music-like concentration". The ensemble is divided into two wind quintets and two string groups; four soloists are placed in the middle,namely a violinst, a viola player, a cellist and a clarinetist. The title reflects the musical process: strongholds which little by little collapse, change character, whose contours dissolve, turning intosomething different. Madeleine Isaksson's music is exactly that - music in transition, without adefinite meaning, without a programme.

(After a commentary by Magnus Haglund)