Hemberg, (Bengt Sven) Eskil

Hemberg, (Bengt Sven) Eskil, Swedish composer, administrator, and conductor; b. Stockholm, Jan. 19, 1938. He studied organ and was a student of Blomstedt (conducting) at the Stockholm Musikhög skolan (1957–64). From 1959 to 1964 he conducted the Stockholm Academic Choir, and then was its artistic director from 1964 to 1984. He was executive producer for the Swedish Broadcasting Corp., serving as head of its choral section (1963–70), and then was head of planning of the Inst. for National Concerts (1970–83) and president of the Swedish Soc. of Composers (1971–83). After serving as artistic director of the Stora Teatern in Göteborg (1984–87), he held that title with the Royal Theater in Stockholm from 1987 to 1996. In 1974 he was elected a member of the Royal Academy of Music in Stockholm. He has written much vocal music, ranging from operas to sacred scores, in which traditional procedures are enhanced by ventures into contemporary harmony.

Works

dramatic: Opera: Love, love, love (1973–80); The Pirates in the Deep Green Sea (1975–77); St. Erik’s Crown, church opera (1979); Herr Apfelstädt wird Kunstler, chamber opera (1989); Utopia (1997). OTHER: Film music. ORCH.: Migraine (1973); Thulegräs for Strings (1987). CHAMBER: Zona rosa for String Quartet (1973); Les Adieu for String Quartet (1982); Trio for Violin, Viola, and Cello (1984; also for Flute, Violin, and Cello, 1986); Rondo festivo for Violin and Piano (1993); piano pieces; organ music, including Tocata e fuga (1999). VOCAL: 18 Movements for Chorus (1967); Messa d’oggi for 5 Soloists and Chorus (1968–70); Passion after St. Mark for Soloists, Chorus, and Orch. (1972–84); Cantica for Soloists, Chorus, and Orch. (1973); Songbook from Österbotten for Men’s Voices, English Horn, Clarinet, Small Drum, and Double Bass (1975); With God and his Friendship,”a Mass about belief and politics” for Priest, Congregation, Chorus, Trumpet, and Organ (1976); Women, scenic cantata for Soloists, Women’s Chorus, and Orch. (1978–79); Concerning My Negotiations With Myself and With God for Solo Quartet, Double Chorus, and Organ (1980); Love Fancies for Baritone, Bassoon, and String Orch. (1980); Canticles I-III for Soloists and Instruments (1981); Lützener Te Deum for Double Chorus and 3 Trombones (1982); Canti di luce e di stelle for Soprano and 7 Instruments (1982–91); Magnificat for Double Chorus (1982); To the Light, cantata for Soloists, Men’s Chorus, and Chamber Orch. (1984); Psalm 150 for Chorus, Viola d’Amore, and Cello (1985); Requiem Aeternam for Chorus (1987); San Francisco Peace Cantata for Soloists, Chorus, Trumpet, and Crotales (1989); Psalm 96 for Chorus (1992); Suite for Soprano, Wind Quintet, and String Quartet (1992); Requiem for Chorus (1994); Värmländska latar for Baritone and Chamber Orch. (1995–96).

—Nicolas Slonimsky/Laura Kuhn/Dennis McIntire