Grandert, Johnny

Grandert, Johnny, Swedish composer; b. Stock-holm, July 11, 1939. He studied under Lidholm at the Stockholm Musikhogskolan (1959-64), and also took music courses in Germany, Italy, and America but was mainly antodidact in music. He also was active as a painter. In 1972 he became principal and in 1986 director of music at the Norrtalje School of Music. The titles of his compositions betray a desire to puzzle and tantalize, but the music itself is not forbidding.

Works

DRAMATIC Opera : Gyllene jord (1984). ORCH.: TheD.ofB. (1967); Barypet, concerto for Trumpet and Baritone Saxophone, with 16 Flutes, Percussion, and Strings (1968); Skorogovorka (Tongue Twister) for Wind Orch. and Percussion (1971); 7 syms.: No. 1 (1971), No. 2 (1973), No. 3, Sinfonia Calamagrostis (1972), No. 4 (1974; Stockholm, Nov. 29, 1975), No. 5 (1976; Swedish Radio, Feb. 22, 1977), No. 6 (1982; Helsinki, March 3, 1983), and No. 7 (1996); Jerikos murar for Flute, Slide Flute, 3 Bass Recorders, 3 Clarinets, 15 Trombones, Percussion, Organ, and Strings (1972); Rodensiana (1984); Staccato for Strings (1990). CHAMBER: Chamber Music for Chamber Ensemble (1961); 10 string quartets (1963-98); Nonet for Winds, Euphonium, and Cello (1964); 86 T for Chamber Ensemble (1965); 10 an’ 30 for Chamber Ensemble (1966); Octet for 3 Voices, Flute, Trombone, Viola, Double Bass, and Harp (1966); Prego I for Cello and Horn (1968); Non omesso for Chamber Ensemble (1969); Non lo so for Flute, Cello, and Piano (1970); Pour Philippe, wind quintet (1970); Quartet for Recorders (1972); Saxophone Quintet (1975); Temptation, essay for String Quartet (1979); Midtwedt, canon for 8 Violins (1986); Isola Sale for Chamber Ensemble (1989); Brass Quintet (1989); Boureause for Chamber Ensemble (1991); Temper Tantrum for Flute (1993-95). VOCAL: Mirror 25 for Chorus and Orch. (1966); Pour Pjotr for Voice, Piano, Cello, Clarinet, and Percussion (1971).

—Nicolas Slonimsky/Laura Kuhn/Dennis McIntire