Role

:

Composer

Birth

:

1883

Death

:

1961

Genre

:

Vocal

 

Ragnar Althén was a Swedish composer born on May 17, 1901, in Stockholm. He was the son of a music teacher and grew up in a musical family. His father, Gustaf Althén, was a well-known violinist and conductor, and his mother, Anna Althén, was a pianist. Ragnar Althén showed an early interest in music and began playing the piano at the age of six. Althén studied at the Royal College of Music in Stockholm, where he was a student of Ernst Ellberg and Andreas Hallén. He also studied composition with the famous Swedish composer Wilhelm Stenhammar. Althén was a talented student and won several awards for his compositions while still in school. After completing his studies, Althén worked as a music teacher and conductor in various parts of Sweden. He also continued to compose, and his works began to gain recognition. In 1930, he won the first prize in a national competition for his Symphony No. 1. This success led to more commissions and performances of his music. Althén's music is characterized by its lyricism and tonal harmony. He was influenced by the Romantic composers, particularly Brahms and Tchaikovsky, but also incorporated elements of Swedish folk music into his works. His compositions include orchestral works, chamber music, and songs. One of Althén's most famous works is his Symphony No. 2, which he composed in 1935. The symphony is in four movements and is notable for its use of Swedish folk melodies. The second movement, in particular, features a haunting melody played by the English horn. The symphony was well-received and helped establish Althén as one of Sweden's leading composers. Althén continued to compose throughout his life, but his output slowed down in his later years. He died on December 23, 1961, in Stockholm, at the age of 60. Despite his relatively short career, Althén left behind a significant body of work that continues to be performed and recorded today.

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