Karl-Birger Blomdahl


Karl-Birger Blomdahl 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. He died in Kungsängen, Stockholm.
His third symphony, Facettes – a work in one subdivided movement 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, and much chamber music, including a trio for clarinet, cello and piano.

Works

Stage

AgamemnonAniara, It was conducted by Werner Janssen, a noted conductor of the 20th Century. Columbia dropped Janssen's credit from its later releases of the album, leading to a wide but mistaken impression that the performance was conducted by Bernstein.
  • ''Herr von Hancken''

Ballet

SisyfosMinotaurus
  • ''Spel för åtta''

Orchestra

Symphonic Dances
  • Symphony No. 1
  • Symphony No. 2 Pastoralsvit
  • Symphony No. 3, Facetter
  • ''Forma Ferritonans''

Concerto

Choir

  • ''I speglarnas sal''

Film music

Gycklarnas afton
  • ''Så börjar livet''

Chamber music

Songs

... The Journey in This Night for soprano & string orchestra

Electronic

  • ''Altisonans''