Lars-Erik Larsson
Encyclopedia
Lars-Erik Larsson was a notable Swedish
composer of the 20th century.
in 1908. He studied with Ellberg at the Stockholm Conservatory
(1925–1929) and with Alban Berg
and Fritz Reuter in Vienna
and Leipzig
(1929–1930), then worked for Swedish radio and taught at the Stockholm Conservatory (1947–1959) and Uppsala University
where he held the position as Director musices
(1961–1966).
His style as a composer is eclectic, ranging from the late Romantic to techniques derived from Arnold Schoenberg
's twelve-note system, but original in method. He was the first Swede to write serial music (1932). Yet other works of that period are post-Sibelian
or neo-classical, and his output generally is characterized by variety of style.
He wrote for the theatre, cinema and broadcasting, in addition to the more traditional forms of symphony, concerto, chamber and vocal music.
He died in Helsingborg
in 1986, aged 78.
Larsson's most important symphonic works are his three symphonies for full orchestra:
Other works for orchestra:
Larsson also wrote a Sinfonietta for string orchestra and a popular Little Serenade for the same medium.
He wrote a series of 12 concertinos for solo instruments: flute, oboe, clarinet, bassoon, horn, trumpet, trombone, violin, viola, cello, double bass and piano.
Larsson's Concerto for alto saxophone, written for Sigurd Raschèr
in 1932, is one of the first major works for saxophone to utilize ideas of non-standard tonality.
The Violin Concerto, Op. 42 (1952) is another important work, as is the opera Prinsessan av Cypern
.
Sweden
Sweden , officially the Kingdom of Sweden , is a Nordic country on the Scandinavian Peninsula in Northern Europe. Sweden borders with Norway and Finland and is connected to Denmark by a bridge-tunnel across the Öresund....
composer of the 20th century.
Biography
Lars-Erik Vilner Larsson was born in ÅkarpÅkarp
Åkarp is a locality situated in Burlöv Municipality, Skåne County, Sweden with 5,393 inhabitants in 2005.It lies approximately 9 km northeast of Malmö and 12 km southwest of Lund. It has a station on the Skåne commuter rail network.- References :...
in 1908. He studied with Ellberg at the Stockholm Conservatory
Royal College of Music, Stockholm
The Royal College of Music, Stockholm is the oldest institution of higher education in music in Sweden, founded in 1771 as the conservatory of the Royal Swedish Academy of Music...
(1925–1929) and with Alban Berg
Alban Berg
Alban Maria Johannes Berg was an Austrian composer. He was a member of the Second Viennese School with Arnold Schoenberg and Anton Webern, and produced compositions that combined Mahlerian Romanticism with a personal adaptation of Schoenberg's twelve-tone technique.-Early life:Berg was born in...
and Fritz Reuter in Vienna
Vienna
Vienna is the capital and largest city of the Republic of Austria and one of the nine states of Austria. Vienna is Austria's primary city, with a population of about 1.723 million , and is by far the largest city in Austria, as well as its cultural, economic, and political centre...
and Leipzig
Leipzig
Leipzig Leipzig has always been a trade city, situated during the time of the Holy Roman Empire at the intersection of the Via Regia and Via Imperii, two important trade routes. At one time, Leipzig was one of the major European centres of learning and culture in fields such as music and publishing...
(1929–1930), then worked for Swedish radio and taught at the Stockholm Conservatory (1947–1959) and Uppsala University
Uppsala University
Uppsala University is a research university in Uppsala, Sweden, and is the oldest university in Scandinavia, founded in 1477. It consistently ranks among the best universities in Northern Europe in international rankings and is generally considered one of the most prestigious institutions of...
where he held the position as Director musices
Director musices
Director musices, Latin for music director, was a title held by music directors especially at European universities or cathedrals; sometimes also at cathedral schools. The title is still used at universities in Sweden...
(1961–1966).
His style as a composer is eclectic, ranging from the late Romantic to techniques derived from Arnold Schoenberg
Arnold Schoenberg
Arnold Schoenberg was an Austrian composer, associated with the expressionist movement in German poetry and art, and leader of the Second Viennese School...
's twelve-note system, but original in method. He was the first Swede to write serial music (1932). Yet other works of that period are post-Sibelian
Jean Sibelius
Jean Sibelius was a Finnish composer of the later Romantic period whose music played an important role in the formation of the Finnish national identity. His mastery of the orchestra has been described as "prodigious."...
or neo-classical, and his output generally is characterized by variety of style.
He wrote for the theatre, cinema and broadcasting, in addition to the more traditional forms of symphony, concerto, chamber and vocal music.
He died in Helsingborg
Helsingborg
Helsingborg is a city and the seat of Helsingborg Municipality, Skåne County, Sweden with 97,122 inhabitants in 2010. Helsingborg is the centre of an area in the Øresund region of about 320,000 inhabitants in north-west Scania, and is Sweden's closest point to Denmark, with the Danish city...
in 1986, aged 78.
Works
Larsson wrote two of the most popular works in Swedish art music:- Pastoral suite (Pastoralsvit), for chamber orchestra, Op. 19 (1938)
- A God in DisguiseGod in DisguiseGod in Disguise or A God Disguised is a lyrical suite composed in 1940 by Swedish composer Lars-Erik Larsson to lyrics by Hjalmar Gullberg....
(Förklädd gud), a non-religious lyrical suite for mixed chorus, soloists and orchestra, Op. 24 (1940; text written by Malmö poet Hjalmar GullbergHjalmar GullbergHjalmar Gullberg was a Swedish writer, poet and translator of Greek drama into Swedish.Gullberg was born in Malmö, Skåne. As a student at Lund University, he was the editor of the student magazine Lundagård. He was the manager of the Swedish Radio Theatre 1936-1950...
)
Larsson's most important symphonic works are his three symphonies for full orchestra:
- Symphony No. 1 in D major, Op. 2 (1927–28)
- Symphony No. 2, Op. 17 (1936–37)
- Symphony No. 3 in C minor, Op. 34 (1944–45)
Other works for orchestra:
- A Winter's Tale (En Vintersaga), Op. 18 (1937–38)
Larsson also wrote a Sinfonietta for string orchestra and a popular Little Serenade for the same medium.
He wrote a series of 12 concertinos for solo instruments: flute, oboe, clarinet, bassoon, horn, trumpet, trombone, violin, viola, cello, double bass and piano.
Larsson's Concerto for alto saxophone, written for Sigurd Raschèr
Sigurd Raschèr
Sigurd Manfred Raschèr was an American saxophonist of German birth. He became one of the most important figures in the development of the 20th century repertoire for the classical saxophone.-Career in Europe:...
in 1932, is one of the first major works for saxophone to utilize ideas of non-standard tonality.
The Violin Concerto, Op. 42 (1952) is another important work, as is the opera Prinsessan av Cypern
Prinsessan av Cypern
Prinsessan av Cypern is an opera in four acts by Lars-Erik Larsson, with a Swedish libretto by Zacharias Topelius, first performed in Stockholm in 1937, but subsequently withdrawn by its composer.-Background:...
.
Chronological worklist
- 1927 Op. 1, A Fiddler's Last Journey, ballad, bar orch
- 1927-8 Op. 2, Symphony No. 1 D major
- 1928 Op. 3, Violin Sonatina
- 1929 Op. 4, Concert Overture No. 1
- 1930 Op. 5, Symphonic Sketch
- 1931 Op. 6, Duo, vln vla
- 1931-2 Op. 7, Divertimento No. 1, chamber orch
- 1932? Op. 8, Ten pianopieces
- 1931-6 Op. 9, Prinsessan av CypernPrinsessan av CypernPrinsessan av Cypern is an opera in four acts by Lars-Erik Larsson, with a Swedish libretto by Zacharias Topelius, first performed in Stockholm in 1937, but subsequently withdrawn by its composer.-Background:...
(The Princess of Cyprus), opera - 1932 Op. 10, Sinfonietta, str
- 1932 Op. 11, The Bright Country
- 1934 Op. 12, Little Serenade, str
- 1934 Op. 13, Concert Overture No. 2
- 1934 Op. 14, Saxophone Concerto, altsax str
- 1935 Op. 15, Divertimento No. 2, chamber orch
- 1936 Little March, orch
- 1936 Op. 16, Piano Sonatina No. 1
- 1937 Op. 17, Symphony No. 2
- 1937-8 Op. 18, A Winter's Tale, 4 movts, orch
- 1937-8 Op. 19, Hours of Day Suite, 6 movts incl Pastoral Suite, orch
- 1937-8 Op. 19, Pastoral Suite, 3 movts orch
- 1938 Op. 20, Intimate Miniatures, strqt
- 1938 Op. 21, Invocatio, for choir and orchestra
- 1939 Op. 22, Festmusik, orch
- 193? Twelve Folksongs: includes Watercolour; BoxPainter; HerbGirl, mezzo pno
- 1940 Op. 23, Jorden Sjunger, orch
- 1930-40 Op. 24, God in DisguiseGod in DisguiseGod in Disguise or A God Disguised is a lyrical suite composed in 1940 by Swedish composer Lars-Erik Larsson to lyrics by Hjalmar Gullberg....
, lyric suite, sop bar narr orch - 1940 Op. 25, Väktarsånger, for barytone,male choir and orchestra
- 1941 Op. 26, Röster Från Skansen, lyric suite for recitation,barytone,choir and orchestra
- 1941 Op. 27, The Swedish Nation, lyric suite, orch
- 1941 Op. 27a, Folksong Night, orch
- 1944 Op. 28, Kungajakt, film: Gustaviansk Suite, fl hpschd str
- 1944 Op. 29, Four songs
- 1944 Op. 30, Det Röda Korset, Cantata for recitation,barytone,choir and orchestra
- 1944 Op. 31, String Quartet No. 1 D minor
- 1944 Op. 32, Two Pieces, orch
- 1945 Op. 33, Two songs
- 1944-5 Op. 34, Symphony No. 3 C minor
- 1946 Op. 35, Nine Gullberg Songs
- 1946 Op. 36, Sankta Lucia, incidental music
- 1946-7 Op. 37, Cello Concerto
- 1946-7 Op. 38, Croquiser, pno
- 1947 Op. 39, Piano Sonatina No. 2
- 1948-9 Op. 40, Music for Orchestra
- 1950 Op. 41, Piano Sonatina No. 3
- 1952 Op. 42, Violin Concerto
- 1954 Op. 43, Missa Brevis
- 1953 Op. 45/6, Trumpet Concertino, +str
- 1955 Op. 44, String Quartet No. 2, Quartetto alla Serenata
- 1954 Op. 45/5, Horn Concertino, +str
- 1954-5 Op. 45/2, Oboe Concertino, +str
- 1954-6 Op. 45/10, Cello Concertino, +str
- 1954-6 Op. 45/9, Viola Concertino, +str
- 1955 Op. 45/1, Flute Concertino, +str
- 1955 Op. 45/4, Bassoon Concertino, +str
- 1955 Op. 45/7, Trombone Concertino, +str
- 1956 Op. 45/8, Violin Concertino, +str
- 1956-7 Op. 45/3, Clarinet Concertino, +str
- 1957 Op. 45/11, Double-Bass Concertino, +str
- 1957 Op. 45/12, Piano Concertino, +str
- 1957-8 Op. 46, Linden, ballet
- 1960 Op. 47, Twelve Little Pieces, pno
- 1960 Op. 48, Adagio, str
- 1960 Op. 49, Three Pieces, orch
- 1962 Op. 50, Variations for Orchestra
- 1964 Op. 51, Intrada Solemnis, for trumpets,trombones, doublechoir,boys choir and organ
- 1964? Op. 52, Eight songs
- 1966 Op. 53, Soluret Och Urnan, cantata for barytone,choir and orchestra
- 1966 Op. 54, Lyric Fantasy, orch
- 1968 Op. 55, Quattro Tempi, Divertimento, windquintet
- 1969 Op. 56, Easy Pieces, pno
- 1969 Op. 57, Five Pieces, pno
- 1969 Op. 58, Seven Little Fugues with Preludes, pno
- 1969? Op. 59, Tre citat, for choir
- 1969 Op. 60, Cello Sonatina
- 1970 Op. 61, Three Pieces, cl pno
- 1971 Op. 62, Due Auguri, orch
- 1972 Op. 63, Aubade, ob strtrio
- 1973 Op. 64, Raa Rokoko, orch
- 1975 Op. 65, String Quartet No. 3