Karl-Birger Blomdahl (19 October 1916 – 14 June 1968) was a Swedish composer and conductor born in Växjö. He was educated in biochemistry, but was primarily active in music and by his experimental compositions he became one of the big names in Swedish modernism. His teachers included Hilding Rosenberg.[1] He died in Kungsängen, Stockholm.

Karl-Birger Blomdahl.

His third symphony, Facettes – a work in one subdivided movement[2] as a twelve-tone variation-form piece – from 1950 is a major contribution to the repertoire. In 1959 he composed the opera Aniara based on the poem by Harry Martinson. His output of compositions also includes concertos for violin and viola, a chamber concerto for piano, winds and percussion, at least one other opera (Herr von Hancken), and much chamber music, including a trio for clarinet, cello and piano.

Works edit

Stage edit

Ballet edit

  • (1954) Sisyfos
  • (1957) Minotaurus
  • (1962) Spel för åtta

Orchestra edit

  • (1939) Symphonic Dances
  • (1943) Symphony No. 1
  • (1947) Symphony No. 2
  • (1948) Pastoralsvit
  • (1950) Symphony No. 3, Facetter
  • (1961) Forma Ferritonans

Concerto edit

  • (1941) Concerto for Viola and Orchestra
  • (1946) Concerto for Violin and String Orchestra
  • (1953) Chamber Concerto for Piano, Winds and Percussion

Choir edit

  • (1951–52) I speglarnas sal (after a poem by Erik Lindegren)

Film music edit

Chamber music edit

  • (1938) Trio for Brass
  • (1939) String Quartet No. 1
  • (1945) Little Suite, for bassoon & piano
  • (1948) Dance Suite No. 1, for flute, percussion & string trio
  • (1951) Dance Suite No. 2, for clarinet, cello & percussion
  • (1955) Trio for clarinet, cello and piano

Songs edit

  • (1966) ... The Journey in This Night for soprano & string orchestra (on a poem by Erik Lindegren)

Electronic edit

  • (1966) Altisonans

References edit

  1. ^ http://www.from-sweden.com/people/index.php?categoryID%3D30%26id%3D216 Retrieved 2005-10-03.[dead link]
  2. ^ "Sisyphos – Chamber Concerto – Symphony No. 3 Facetter – Trio for clarinet, cello and piano", review by Jonathan Woolf of Swedish Society Discofil SCD1037 recording, musicweb-international.com