Role

:

Composer

Birth

:

1919

Death

:

1997

 

Sven-Eric Johanson was a Swedish composer who was born on October 30, 1919, in Stockholm, Sweden. He was the son of a music teacher and grew up in a musical family. His father, Gustaf Johanson, was a composer and conductor, and his mother, Ester Johanson, was a pianist. Sven-Eric Johanson showed an early interest in music and began playing the piano at the age of six. Johanson studied at the Royal College of Music in Stockholm, where he received a degree in composition in 1943. He also studied with the composer Hilding Rosenberg, who was a major influence on his work. Johanson's early compositions were influenced by the neoclassical style of Stravinsky and Hindemith, but he later developed his own unique style. Johanson's first major work was his Symphony No. 1, which he composed in 1945. The symphony was well-received and established Johanson as a promising young composer. He went on to compose a number of other orchestral works, including his Symphony No. 2, which was premiered in 1950. In addition to his orchestral works, Johanson also composed a number of chamber music pieces, including his String Quartet No. 1, which was premiered in 1952. He also wrote a number of vocal works, including his song cycle "Fyra dikter av Karin Boye" (Four Poems by Karin Boye), which was premiered in 1953. Johanson's music was characterized by its clarity and precision, as well as its emotional depth. He was known for his use of traditional forms and structures, but also for his innovative harmonies and rhythms. His music was often inspired by nature and the Swedish landscape, and he was particularly interested in the music of the Sami people, the indigenous people of northern Scandinavia. One of Johanson's most famous works is his ballet "Jordfästningen" (The Burial), which was premiered in 1958. The ballet tells the story of a young Sami girl who dies and is buried in the traditional Sami way. The music is characterized by its use of traditional Sami melodies and rhythms, as well as its evocative orchestration. Johanson continued to compose throughout his life, and his later works were characterized by their simplicity and directness. He was particularly interested in choral music, and composed a number of works for choir, including his "Fyra dikter av Tomas Tranströmer" (Four Poems by Tomas Tranströmer), which was premiered in 1991. Johanson was also a respected music educator, and taught at the Royal College of Music in Stockholm from 1950 to 1984. He was known for his dedication to his students, and many of his former students went on to become successful composers in their own right. Johanson received numerous awards and honors throughout his career, including the Litteris et Artibus medal from the Swedish government in 1970, and the Royal Swedish Academy of Music's Gold Medal in 1994. He died on November 26, 1997, in Stockholm, Sweden, at the age of 78. In conclusion, Sven-Eric Johanson was a highly respected composer and music educator who made significant contributions to the world of classical music. His music was characterized by its clarity, precision, and emotional depth, and he was particularly interested in the music of the Sami people and the Swedish landscape. Johanson's legacy continues to inspire and influence composers and musicians around the world.

More....