Karl-Birger Blomdahl

Karl-Birger Blomdahl (October 19, 1916 – June 14, 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 ( [http://www.from-sweden.com/people/index.php?categoryID=30&id=216] ). He died in Kungsängen, Stockholm.

His third symphony, Facettes - a work in one subdivided movement (described [http://www.musicweb-international.com/classrev/2003/Nov03/Blomdahl_Sisyphos.htm here] 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

tage

*(1958) "Aniara", (libretto by Erik Lindegren based on a poem by Harry Martinson)
*(1962) "Herr von Hancken", (libretto by Erik Lindegren based on a book by Hjalmar Bergmans)
*(1949) Agamemnon

Ballet

*(1954) "Sisyfos"
*(1957) "Minotaurus"
*(1962) "Spel för åtta"

Orchestra

*(1943) "Symphony No. 1"
*(1947) "Symphony No. 2"
*(1948) "Pastoralsvit"
*(1950) "Symphony No. 3, Facetter"
*(1961) "Forma Ferritonans"

Concerto

*(1941) "Concerto for Viola and Orchestra"
*(1946) "Concerto for Violin and String Orchestra"

Choir

*(1951-52) "I speglarnas sal", (after a poem by Erik Lindegren)

Film Music

*(1953) "Gycklarnas afton"
*(1965) "Så börjar livet"

Chamber Music

*(1938) "Trio for Brass"
*(1939) "String Quartet No. 1"
*(1945) "Little Suite for bassoon & piano"
*(1948) "Dance Suite No. 1"
*(1951) "Dance Suite No. 2"
*(1955) "Trio for Clarinet, Cello and Piano"

ongs

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

Electronic

*(1966) "Altisonans"