Role

:

Composer

Country

:

Sweden

Birth

:

1962 in Skövde, Sweden

 

Fredrik Sixten is a Swedish composer, organist, and choir director who has made significant contributions to the world of classical music. Born on December 21, 1962, in Örebro, Sweden, Sixten grew up in a musical family. His father was a church musician, and his mother was a music teacher. From a young age, Sixten showed a keen interest in music and began playing the piano at the age of six. Sixten's musical education began at the Örebro Music School, where he studied piano, organ, and choral conducting. He later attended the Royal College of Music in Stockholm, where he studied composition with Hans Gefors and Sven-David Sandström. Sixten also studied organ with Hans Fagius and choral conducting with Eric Ericson. Sixten's early compositions were primarily choral works, and he quickly gained recognition for his talent in this area. In 1988, he won first prize in the Swedish National Choral Composition Competition for his work "Ave Maria." This success led to commissions from several Swedish choirs, including the Eric Ericson Chamber Choir and the Swedish Radio Choir. In addition to his work as a composer, Sixten is also an accomplished organist and choir director. He has served as the organist at the Örebro Cathedral since 1985 and has conducted several choirs, including the Örebro Chamber Choir and the Allmänna Sången choir in Uppsala. Sixten's compositions are characterized by their rich harmonies, lyrical melodies, and intricate textures. His choral works often feature complex polyphony and lush harmonies, while his instrumental works showcase his skill as an orchestrator. Sixten's music is deeply rooted in the Swedish choral tradition, but he also draws inspiration from a wide range of musical styles and genres. One of Sixten's most famous works is his "Requiem," which was commissioned by the Swedish Radio Choir in 2002. The piece is a setting of the Latin Mass for the Dead and features a large choir, soloists, and orchestra. The "Requiem" is a powerful and moving work that showcases Sixten's skill as a composer and his deep understanding of the choral tradition. Another notable work by Sixten is his "Stabat Mater," which was commissioned by the Eric Ericson Chamber Choir in 1999. The piece is a setting of the medieval hymn "Stabat Mater Dolorosa" and features a small choir and string orchestra. The "Stabat Mater" is a hauntingly beautiful work that showcases Sixten's ability to create deeply emotional and expressive music. In addition to his choral works, Sixten has also composed several instrumental pieces, including a piano concerto, a violin concerto, and a suite for orchestra. His instrumental works are characterized by their lush harmonies and intricate textures, and they showcase his skill as an orchestrator. Sixten's contributions to the world of classical music have been widely recognized. He has received numerous awards and honors, including the Swedish Society of Composers' Prize in 1991 and the Royal Swedish Academy of Music's Christ Johnson Prize in 2003. His music has been performed by some of the world's leading orchestras and choirs, including the Berlin Philharmonic and the BBC Singers. In addition to his work as a composer, Sixten is also a respected teacher and lecturer. He has taught composition at the Royal College of Music in Stockholm and has given lectures and masterclasses at universities and music schools around the world.

More....