Sandström, Sven-David
Sandström, Sven-David
Sandström, Sven-David , Swedish composer and teacher; b. Borensberg, Oct. 30, 1942. He studied art history and musicology at the Univ. of Stockholm (1963–67) and attended composition classes with Lid-holm at the Stockholm Musikhögskolan (1967–72). He also took special courses in advanced techniques of composition with Norgard and Ligeri. In 1981 he joined the faculty of the Stockholm Musikhögskolan. In 1983 he served as chairman of the Swedish section of the ISCM. He became a prof. at the Ind. Univ. School of Music in Bloomington in 1999. In his early works he made use of quarter-tone tuning. Later he turned to tonal and modal writing.
Works
DRAMATIC: Stark såsom döden (Strong like Death), church opera (Stockholm, April 18, 1978); Hasta o älskade brud (Hasta, O Beloved Bride), chamber opera (1978); Kejsaren Jones (Emperor Jones), after O’Neill (1980); Ett drömspel (The Dreamplay), incidental music to Strindberg’s play (1980); Amos, church opera (1981); Slottet det vita, opera (1981–82; Stockholm, Feb. 12, 1987); Admorica, ballet (1985); Den elfte gryningen, ballet (Stockholm, Nov. 4, 1988); ballet music (1991); Staden, opera (1996; Stockholm, Sept. 12, 1997). ORCH.: Bilder (Pictures) for Percussion and Orch. (Norrköping, April 17, 1969); Intrada for Wind Instruments, Strings, and Percussion (1969); 17 Bildkombinationen (17 Picture Combinations) for Wind Instruments, Percussion, and Strings (1969); In the Meantime for Chamber Orch. (1970); Sounds for 14 Strings (1970); To You (Arvika, Aug. 15, 1970); Around a Line for Wind Instruments, Piano, Percussion, and Strings (1971); Through and Through (1972; Stockholm, Feb. 1, 1974); Con tutta forza for 41 Wind Instruments and 6 Percussionists (Stockholm, Oct. 28, 1976); Culminations (Swedish Radio, Feb. 22, 1977); Agitato for Piano and Orch. (1978); The Rest Is Dross for Strings (1979); Flute Concerto (1980; Stockholm, Oct. 24, 1983); Lonesome, guitar concerto (1982–83; Malmö, May 18, 1983); Concerto for Violin and String Orch. (1985; Orebro, Jan. 18, 1986); A Day—The Days (1987); Overture (Stockholm, June 18, 1987); Invigningsfanfar for the 50th anniversary of the Swedish Radio (Swedish Radio, Oct. 14, 1988); Cello Concerto (1989; Stockholm, March 2, 1990); Piano Concerto (1990; Helsingborg, Jan. 31, 1991); Pieces of Pieces (1992); Vattenmusik 1 and 2 for Wind Band (1992); Percussion Concerto (1993); First-pieces, overture (1994); Symphonic Piece for Orch. and Men’s Chorus (1994); Young Pieces (1995); Sym. (1999). CHAMBER: Music for 5 String Instruments (1968); Sonata for Solo Flute (1968); Combinations for Clarinet (1960); Concertato for Clarinet, Trombone, Cello, and Percussion (1969); String Quartet (1969); Disturbances for 6 Brasses (1970); Disjointing for Trombone (1970); Jumping Excursions for Clarinet, Cello, Trombone, and Cymbal (1970); Mosaic for String Trio (1970); Under the Surface for 6 Trombones (1971); Concentration for 8 Wind Instruments and 4 Double Basses (1971); Closeness for Clarinet (1973); …And All the Flavors Around, 6 pieces for Violin, Piano, Clarinet, and Flute (1973); 6 Character Pieces for Flute, Oboe, Bassoon, 2 Violins, Double Bass, and Percussion (1973); Convergence for Bassoon (1973); Inside for Bass Trombone and Piano (1974); Metal, Metal for 4 Percussionists (1974); In the Shadow of… for Piano, Cello, and Percussion (1974); Ratio for Tuba and Bass Drum (1974); Utmost for Wind Quintet, Trumpet, Trombone, Tuba, and Percussion (London, Nov. 10, 1975); Effort for Cello (1977); Break This Heavy Chain That Does Freeze My Bones Around for 2 Bassoons (1979); Within for 8 Trombones and Percussion ad libitum (1979); Drums for Timpani and 4 Percussionists (1980); Behind for String Quartet (1981); The Last Fight for Percussion (1984); Sax Music for Saxophone Quartet (1985); Chained for Percussion Ensemble (1986); The Slumberous Mass for 4 Trombones (1987); Dance III for 3 Cellos (1988); Pieces of Wood for 6 Percussionists (1992). keyboard: piano: Concentration II for 2 Pianos (1972); High Above (1972); 5 Duets for Piano (1973); Introduction—Out of Memories—Finish for 2 Pianos (1981). Organilke Way (1973); Openings (1975); Libera me (1980). VOCAL: Invention for 16 Voices (1969); Lamento for 3 Choral Groups and 4 Trombones (1971); Visst? for Soprano, 2 Choruses, Wind Instruments, Pop Orch., and Violin Group (1971; Mellerud, April 23, 1972); just a Bit for Soprano, Bassoon, Violin, and Harp (1972); Birgitta-Music I for Speaking and Singing Groups, Orch., Renaissance Ensemble, Organ, and Folk Musicians and Dancers (Vadstena, June 23, 1973); Dilecte mi (Canticum canticorum), motet for Men’s and Women’s Choruses (1974); Expression for Amplified Mezzo-soprano, Cello, Piano, 4- Hands, and Tape (1976); A Cradle Song/The Tyger, 2 poems for Chorus, after William Blake (1978); Spring—Introduction—Earth’s Answer, 3 poems for Chorus, after William Blake (1978); Tystnaden (Silence) for Tenor, Narrator, and 14 String Instruments (1979); Requiem: De ur alla minnen fallna (Requiem; Mute the Bereaved Memories Speak) for 4 Soloists, Mixed Chorus, Children’s Chorus, Orch., and Tape (1979; Stockholm, Feb. 19, 1982); Agnus Dei for Chorus (1980); Our Peace, motet for 3 Choruses and 3 Organs (1983); Missa brevis for Chorus (1984); Ut över stätten med en doft av hav, cantata for Soloists, Chorus, and Orch. (1984); Convivere for 5 Singers and 6 Instrumentalists (1985); Kantat till Filharmonin for Soloists, Chorus, and Orch. (1985); Stille etter Gud for 3 Choruses (1986); 24 romantiska etyder for Chorus (1988); Mass and Psaltery Psalm for Soloists, Chorus, Brass Quintet, and 2 Organs (1992); High Mass for Chorus, Organ, and Orch. (1993–94); Nobelmusik for Chorus, Brass Quintet, and Organ (1994); Se, öarna for Mezzo-soprano and Wind Quintet (1998).
—Nicolas Slonimsky/Laura Kuhn/Dennis McIntire