Johansson, Bengt (Viktor)

Johansson, Bengt (Viktor), Finnish composer; b. Helsinki, Oct. 2, 1914; d. Visuvesi, June 22, 1989. He studied composition with Sulho Ranta and Selim Palmgren, and also cello at the Sibelius Academy in Helsinki, graduating in 1947. After making study trips to Europe, Italy, and America, he returned to Finland, where he served as director of music broadcasting for the Finnish Radio (1952-74). He was a teacher (from 1960) and a lecturer in music history (from 1965) at the Sibelius Academy. His music makes use of a wide variety of resources, including electronic sound.

Works

dramatic:Opera: Linna (1975). ORCH.: Serenade for Strings (1945); Petite suite de ballet (1948); Aquarelles (1948); Piano Concerto (1951); Suite for Violin, Strings, Piano, and Timpani (1952); Festivo, overture (1952); Expressions for Strings (1954); Tema con 7 variazioni in modo antico for Cello and Orch. (1954); Dialogeja for Cello and Orch. (1970). CHAMBER: Sonata piccola for Cello and Piano (1945); Dialogues for Cello and String Quintet (1970); violin pieces. VOCAL: Stabat Mater for Chorus (1951); It’s Perfectly True,“musical fairy tale” for Narrator, Solo Voices, Women’s Chorus, and Orch. (1957); Missa Sacra for Tenor, Chorus, and Orch. (1960); 12 Passages from the Bible for Men’s Chorus and Organ (1960); The Tomb at Akr Çaar for Baritone and Chamber Chorus, after Ezra Pound (1964); Triptych for Soprano, Baritone, and Chorus (1965); Requiem for Baritone, 2 Choruses, 2 String Orchs., and Timpani (1966); 3 Classic Madrigals for Chorus (1967); Cantatahumana for Baritone, 4 Narrators on Tape, Chorus, and Orch., after Dag Hammarskjöld (Helsinki, April 9, 1970); The Song of the Bride for Soprano and Orch. (1972); Venus and Adonis I-V for Chorus (1972-74); Songs of the Psyche for Soprano and Piano (1978). electronic: 3 Études (I960).

—Nicolas Slonimsky/Laura Kuhn/Dennis McIntire