Ruth Almén

Ruth Sofia Almén (pen name Runar Alm; 24 September 1870 – 19 November 1945), was a Swedish composer, pianist, teacher, author and poet. She published a number of compositions, including nine songs, piano and violin sonatas, and a concerto for piano and orchestra. She also published a collection of poetry, journal articles, and children's stories.

Bohuslän, Almén's birthplace.

Biography

Almén was born in Solberga rectory, Kålltorp, Bohuslän on 24 September 1870.^[1] Her father was a vicar.^[1] Her younger brother was author Sigge Almén.^[1] She studied counterpoint with Wilhelm Stenhammar in Gothenburg, harmony with Gustaf Hägg in Stockholm, composition with Franz Neruda and Knud Jeppesen in Copenhagen, and instrumentation with Karl Westermeyer in Berlin.^[2] She also studied piano with Richard Andersson in Stockholm, Knut Bäck in Gothenburg, Heinrich Barth in Berlin, and Robert Lortat in Paris.^[2] Almén was active as a musical teacher in Gothenburg.^[2][1]

In addition to her playing and teaching music, Almén was also a writer and poet.^[3] She published a collection of poems in 1895, Vid synranden, under the name Runar Alm, a pseudonym she continued to use until 1904. Almén also published children's stories and articles.^[3]

Almén died in Johanneberg, Gothenburg, in 1945.^[3]

Musical work

Almén's compositions are in the late romantic style, and include two piano sonatas, a violin sonata, piano pieces and nine songs, as well as a concerto for piano and orchestra.^[2][1] Her piano sonata op. 2, violin sonata and a group of songs were performed in the Salle Pleyel in Paris on 8 June 1921, and at the Gothenburg Concert Hall on January 20, 1922.^[1]

• Sonata op. 1
• Sonata op. 2
• Violinsonat a-moll op 3
• Preludium und Sarabande für Klavier op. 4
• Drei Praeludien für Klavier Op. 5
• Pianokonsert (Pianoconcert)