Swedish composer and conductor (1892–1985) From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Hilding Constantin Rosenberg (June 21, 1892 – May 18, 1985)[1] was a Swedish composer and conductor. He is commonly regarded as the first Swedish modernist composer, and one of the most influential figures in 20th-century classical music in Sweden.
Hilding Rosenberg
Born in Bosjökloster, he was an organist (completing his examinations in 1909),[2] and as a young man a concert pianist and music teacher. In 1915 he began studying at the Stockholm Conservatory[1] under Ernst Ellberg. Later teachers included Wilhelm Stenhammar (counterpoint) and Hermann Scherchen (conducting). Stenhammar included several of Rosenberg's early works in concerts he arranged.[2] After the First World War, he toured Europe and became a prominent conductor. In 1920 he studied on a scholarship in Berlin, Dresden, Vienna and Paris, which brought formative contacts with Arnold Schoenberg and Paul Hindemith.[2]
In 1932 he was appointed coach and assistant conductor of the Royal Swedish Opera, becoming its chief conductor two years later, although from this point composing began to take a prominent part in his life to conducting.[1]
While his earlier works display the influence of Sibelius, he soon led the way for Swedish composers to move away from the late Romantic style and became considered as somewhat radical. His output covered all genres, from his 14 works for string quartet (1920–1972) and eight symphonies (1917–1974, including his symphony no. 2 Grave, symphony no. 4 Johannes Uppenbarelse, fifth symphony Örtagårdsmästaren and sixth Sinfonia Semplice) as well as Piano Concerto no. 2 to songs. He wrote a considerable body of work for the theatre (around 50 scores in total), including nine operatic works.[1]
He taught composition privately to amongst others Karl-Birger Blomdahl, Ingvar Lidholm, and Daniel Börtz. He opined that "One creates out of what has been before, out of the experiences of others, as well as those of oneself, out of everything one knows, has read, or been acquainted with".[2]
Symphony no. 3, The Four Ages of Man (1939, rev. 1943; 1949 with new third movement)
Symphony no. 4, The Revelation of John, for baritone, choir and orchestra (1940; Bible, Hjalmar Gullberg)
Symphony no. 5, Örtagårdsmästaren, for alto, mixed choir and orchestra (1944; Bible)
Symphony no. 6, Sinfonia semplice (1951)
Symphony no. 7, (1968, rev. 1968)
Symphony no. 8, In candidum, for mixed choir and orchestra (1974; Vilhelm Ekelund; rev. 1980 as Sinfonia serena)
Concertante
Suite in D major, op. 13 (1922, version for violin and orchestra)
Violin concerto no. 1, op. 22 (1924)
Trumpet concerto, op. 47 (1928)
Variation macabre över eget tema for violin and orchestra (1929, from the music of Dåren och döden, op. 50, revised in 1953 for violin and small orchestra)
Piano concerto (1930; unfinished, two movements)
Sinfonia concertante for violin, viola, oboe, bassoon and orchestra (1935)
Cello concerto no. 1 (1939)
A Small Piece for cello, strings and organ (1940)
Viola concerto (1942, rev. 1945, 1964; for viola and string orchestra)
Piano concerto (1950)
Violin concerto no. 2 (1951)
Cello concerto no. 2 (1953)
Riflessioni no. 1 for violin and string orchestra (1959)
5 pieces for piano and string orchestra (1965)
Other orchestral music
3 Fantasies for orchestra, op. 6 (1918)
Variations and passacaglia for large orchestra (1922)
Sinfonia da chiesa no. 1, op. 15 (1923, rev. 1950)
Chamber symphony, C major, op. 18 (1923)
Sinfonia da chiesa no. 2 (1924)
Suite on Swedish songs for string orchestra, op. 36 (1927)
Suite on De skapade intressena, op. 35 for chamber orchestra and organ (1927)
Suite no. 1 on De skapade intressena (Marionetterna) op. 31a for small orchestra and harp (1927)
Percy, Gösta. Leading Swedish Composers of the Twentieth Century - Hilding Rosenberg. In: Swedish music - past and present. Stockholm, Musikrevy, 1967?. OCLC Number: 585452.
