Sörenson, Torsten

Sörenson, Torsten, Swedish organist, teacher, and composer; b. Grebbestad, April 25, 1908; d. Uddevalla, Dec. 29, 1992. He began his training at the Stockholm Musikhögskolan (diplomas as a music teacher and church musician, 1934, and as an organist, 1936). After studies with Torsten Ahlberg (counterpoint) in Göteborg (1936–39), he studied composition with Rosenberg (1942) and Orff (1949). From 1935 he was a church organist in Göteborg, later serving at the Oscar Fredrik Church (1946–75); he also taught theory at the Göteborg Musikhögskolan (1954–76). He composed a number of fine works, ranging from large forces to lieder.

Works

ORCH.: Sinfonietta for Strings (1946; rev. 1957); Concerto for Organ and Strings (1952); Sym. for Chamber Orch. (1956); Sinfonia da chiesa 1 (1958) and 2 (1964–69) for Strings; Concerto for Flute, Strings, and Percussion (1976). CHAMBER: 2 trios for Flute, Clarinet, and Oboe (1949, 1959); Sonata for Solo Viola (1956); 3 sonatas for Solo Flute (1962, 1964, 1966); 2 string quartets (1970; Due contrasti, 1983); Brass Quintet (1970); Divertimento for Flute, Oboe, Violin, and Viola (1976); Quintafonia for 5 Instrumentalists (1979); Sonans for Piano and Organ (1983); Violin Sonata (1985); Pezzo d’amore for Viola d’Amore and 4 Violas (1986). Piano: Sonata (1956); Svart-Vitt (Black and White), 24 pieces (1975); Dygnets fyra tider, 4 studies (1975–79); Floriad, 15 pieces (1981–82); Tvä sänger (1988). VOCAL: Den underbara Kvarnan for Baritone and Orch. (1936; rev. 1958); Hymn om Kristus, cantata (1950); Hymnarium, 56 motets for 1 to 6 Voices and Instruments (1957–62); Laudate nomen Domini for Chorus, 17 Winds, and Percussion (1972); En sang om Herrens boninger for Soprano, 2 Choruses, and Orch. (1975); Gud är här tillstädes, cantata (1978).

—Nicolas Slonimsky/Laura Kuhn/Dennis McIntire