Johanson, Sven-Eric (Emanuel)

Johanson, Sven-Eric (Emanuel), Swedish composer, organist, and pedagogue; b. Vastervik, Dec. 10, 1919; d. Göteborg, Sept. 29, 1997. He studied at the Ingesund School of Music (1938), then obtained diplomas as a music teacher (1943) and organist and choirmaster (1946) at the Stockholm Musikhögskolan. He also studied composition with Melchers, and later with Valen (1951) and finally with Dallapiccola in Florence (1957). After serving as organist and choirmaster at the Uppsala Missionary Church (1944-50), he settled in Göteborg in 1952 and was organist at the Alvsborg Church (until 1977). He was also active as a teacher. In 1971 he was made a member of the Royal Swedish Academy of Music in Stockholm. His output ranged from electro- acoustic compositions to popular scores.

Works

dramatic:Opera: Bortbytingarna (1954-55); Kunskapens vin (Göteborg, May 21, 1959); Sagan om ringen (1972); Reliken (1974; Borås, Jan. 18, 1975); Skandal, Ers Majestät (Umeâ, May 8, 1978); Du människa (1980); Pojken med flöjten (Göteborg, Dec. 3, 1980); Tjuvens pekfinger, opera-buffa (1968-82; Göteborg, Jan. 14, 1983); Denize (1994-95). Other: Radio operas; incidental music; Rivalerna, micro-drama (1967; Swedish Radio, March 16, 1969); Kassandras omvändelse, monodrama (1977); Slottet, ballet (1983). ORCH.: Syms.: No. 1, Sinfonia ostinata (1949-54), No. 2, Duinoelegi, for Tenor, Chorus, and Orch. (1954; also for String Orch. as Sinfonia elegiaca, 1954-55; Göteborg, Feb. 8, 1956), No. 3 (1956; Göteborg, Sept. 23, 1959), No. 5, Elementsymfonin (1965-68), No. 6, Sinfonietta pastorella (1972; Abo, April 5, 1973), No. 7, Spelmanssymfoni, for Strings (1974), No. 8, En Frödingsymfoni (1983-84; Swedish Radio, March 11, 1984), No. 9, Sinfonia d’estate (Malmö, May 6, 1987), No. 10, Chez nous (1990; Göteborg, Feb. 7, 1991), No. 11, Sinfonia d’autunno (1991), and No. 12, Sinfonia da camera: Arnold Schönberg in memoriam (1992); Concerto for Organ and Strings (1946); Sinfonietta concertante for Violin, Balalaika, and Chamber Orch. (1951-81); Concerto da camera for Cello and Orch. (1958; Swedish Radio, June 25, 1959); Maskatad-Divertissement (1958); Variations on a Värmland Folk Tune (1963; Göteborg, March 8, 1964); Vagues (1965; Göteborg, Jan. 28, 1966); Fotia (Uppsala, Oct. 6, 1966); Vientos (1967; Swedish Radio, March 7, 1968); Terra for Orch. and Tape (Göteborg, Sept. 12, 1968); Fantyr (Göteborg, Aug. 31, 1969); Concerto Götenburghese for Piano and Orch. (1970; Göteborg, Aug. 19, 1971); Concerto for Nyckel Harp (keyed fiddle) and Strings (1971); Astrofonia for Strings (Uppsala, July 11, 1974); Nalle Puh, symphonic saga (1979; Göteborg, Jan. 3, 1980); Festuvertyr Gränna-Brahe (1993); Concerto for Accordion and Chamber Orch. (1996). CHAMBER: 8 string quartets (1947; 1948; 1950; 1961, Séquences variables; 1964; 1976; 1980; 1981); Sonata for Solo Violin (1948); 4 piano sonatas (1949; 1956; 1959; 1982-83, Sonata flexa); Wind Quintet (1964); Trio for Clarinet, Violin, and Cello (1974); Slag i slag for Percussion and Tape (1979); Sonatina per Marika for Violin and Piano (1982); Sagan om ringen: Ringmotivet for Clarinet and Piano (1989); A la recherche for Flute (1992). VOCAL: Aff Sancto Christofforo, chamber oratorio (1948); Anadyomene for Soprano and Orch. (1950); Sym. No. 4, Sänger i Förvandlingens Natt, for Chorus (1958; Stockholm, April 3, 1959); The Hazetrees for Soprano, Clarinet, Violin, Cello, Piano, and Tape (1961); Ave crax, ave crux for Baritone, Chorus, Organ, and Tape (1967); Concerto de chiesa: Den förlorade sonen for Narrator, Chorus, Wind Quintet, Percussion, and Organ (1980); Det stora ljuset, Advent cantata for Narrator, Soprano, Alto, Chorus, and Strings (1983); Cantata concertante for Chorus, Brass Quintet, and Organ (1984); various sacred works; choruses.

Bibliography

P.-G. Bergfors, Mitt hjärtas melodi: En Bok om S.- E. J.. (1994).

—Nicolas Slonimsky/Laura Kuhn/Dennis McIntire