Wilhelm Stenhammar
Encyclopedia
Carl Wilhelm Eugen Stenhammar (February 7, 1871 – November 20, 1927) was a Swedish
composer
, conductor
and pianist
.
, where he received his first musical education. He then went to Berlin
to further his studies in music. He became a glowing admirer of German music, particularly that of Richard Wagner
and Anton Bruckner
. Stenhammar himself described the style of his First Symphony in F major as "idyllic Bruckner". He subsequently sought to emancipate himself and write in a more "Nordic" style, looking to Carl Nielsen
and Jean Sibelius
for guidance. The latter's Symphony No. 2
, especially, had a great effect on him, leading him to change his style and refuse to refer to his First Symphony as anything but a trivial piece.
From 1906 to 1922 he was Artistic Director and chief conductor of the Gothenburg Symphony, the first full-time professional orchestra in Sweden. In this capacity, he organised many performances of music by contemporary Scandinavian composers. In 1909, he briefly held the position of director of music at Uppsala University
, where he was succeeded the following year by Hugo Alfvén
.
Wilhelm Stenhammar died of a stroke
at 56 years of age in Jonsered
in the historic province of Västergötland
. He is buried in Gothenburg.
for Orchestra, two piano concerto
s, four piano sonata
s, a violin sonata
, six string quartet
s, many songs and other vocal works, including several large-scale works for chorus or voices and orchestra: the early ballad
"Florez och Blanzeflor" op. 3 written around 1891, "Ithaka" op. 21 from 1904, the cantata
s Ett folk (A people) from 1905 and Sången (The song) op. 44 from 1921.
Writing in The Chamber Music Journal
, R.H.R. Silvertrust notes that Stenhammar's six string quartets are the most important written between those of Brahms and Bartok. Whether or not this is so, there is no denying that Stenhammar's quartets represent a very important development during the twenty-five years he was writing chamber music. Tonally, they range from the middle late Romantics to a style akin to mature Sibelius. Though not unknown by the Swedish chamber music
public, his string quartets have been sadly neglected elsewhere. In 2008 Musikaliska konstföreningen published the world premiere edition of his Allegro Brillante for piano quartet
composed in 1891 and his Allegro non tanto for piano trio
composed in 1895.
Stenhammar was considered the finest Swedish pianist
of his time. Concert pianists who venture into the realm of the string quartet often wind up writing compositions which sound as though they were composed at, and are perhaps better played on, the piano. That Stenhammar's works show no such trait is because for nearly half of his life, he worked intimately with the Aulin Quartet
, the top Swedish string quartet of his day and one of the best then performing in Europe. In fact, he toured throughout Europe with them for many years and a piano quintet
was nearly always featured on their programmes. Thus it is no accident that his quartets show a fine grasp of instrumental timbre
and technique. The part writing is sure, always idiomatic and evenly distributed.
Stenhammar recorded five piano roll
s for Welte-Mignon
on 21 September 1905.
Sweden
Sweden , officially the Kingdom of Sweden , is a Nordic country on the Scandinavian Peninsula in Northern Europe. Sweden borders with Norway and Finland and is connected to Denmark by a bridge-tunnel across the Öresund....
composer
Composer
A composer is a person who creates music, either by musical notation or oral tradition, for interpretation and performance, or through direct manipulation of sonic material through electronic media...
, conductor
Conducting
Conducting is the art of directing a musical performance by way of visible gestures. The primary duties of the conductor are to unify performers, set the tempo, execute clear preparations and beats, and to listen critically and shape the sound of the ensemble...
and pianist
Pianist
A pianist is a musician who plays the piano. A professional pianist can perform solo pieces, play with an ensemble or orchestra, or accompany one or more singers, solo instrumentalists, or other performers.-Choice of genres:...
.
Biography
Stenhammar was born in StockholmStockholm
Stockholm is the capital and the largest city of Sweden and constitutes the most populated urban area in Scandinavia. Stockholm is the most populous city in Sweden, with a population of 851,155 in the municipality , 1.37 million in the urban area , and around 2.1 million in the metropolitan area...
, where he received his first musical education. He then went to Berlin
Berlin
Berlin is the capital city of Germany and is one of the 16 states of Germany. With a population of 3.45 million people, Berlin is Germany's largest city. It is the second most populous city proper and the seventh most populous urban area in the European Union...
to further his studies in music. He became a glowing admirer of German music, particularly that of Richard Wagner
Richard Wagner
Wilhelm Richard Wagner was a German composer, conductor, theatre director, philosopher, music theorist, poet, essayist and writer primarily known for his operas...
and Anton Bruckner
Anton Bruckner
Anton Bruckner was an Austrian composer known for his symphonies, masses, and motets. The first are considered emblematic of the final stage of Austro-German Romanticism because of their rich harmonic language, complex polyphony, and considerable length...
. Stenhammar himself described the style of his First Symphony in F major as "idyllic Bruckner". He subsequently sought to emancipate himself and write in a more "Nordic" style, looking to Carl Nielsen
Carl Nielsen
Carl August Nielsen , , widely recognised as Denmark's greatest composer, was also a conductor and a violinist. Brought up by poor but musically talented parents on the island of Funen, he demonstrated his musical abilities at an early age...
and Jean Sibelius
Jean Sibelius
Jean Sibelius was a Finnish composer of the later Romantic period whose music played an important role in the formation of the Finnish national identity. His mastery of the orchestra has been described as "prodigious."...
for guidance. The latter's Symphony No. 2
Symphony No. 2 (Sibelius)
Jean Sibelius's Symphony No. 2 in D major, Opus 43 was started in Winter 1900 in Rapallo, Italy, and finished in 1902 in Finland. It was first performed by the Helsinki Philharmonic Society on 8 March 1902, with the composer conducting...
, especially, had a great effect on him, leading him to change his style and refuse to refer to his First Symphony as anything but a trivial piece.
From 1906 to 1922 he was Artistic Director and chief conductor of the Gothenburg Symphony, the first full-time professional orchestra in Sweden. In this capacity, he organised many performances of music by contemporary Scandinavian composers. In 1909, he briefly held the position of director of music at Uppsala University
Uppsala University
Uppsala University is a research university in Uppsala, Sweden, and is the oldest university in Scandinavia, founded in 1477. It consistently ranks among the best universities in Northern Europe in international rankings and is generally considered one of the most prestigious institutions of...
, where he was succeeded the following year by Hugo Alfvén
Hugo Alfvén
was a Swedish composer, conductor, violinist, and painter.- Violinist :Alfvén was born in Stockholm and studied at the Music Conservatory there from 1887 to 1891 with the violin as his main instrument, receiving lessons from Lars Zetterquist. He also took private composition lessons from Johan...
.
Wilhelm Stenhammar died of a stroke
Stroke
A stroke, previously known medically as a cerebrovascular accident , is the rapidly developing loss of brain function due to disturbance in the blood supply to the brain. This can be due to ischemia caused by blockage , or a hemorrhage...
at 56 years of age in Jonsered
Jonsered
Jonsered is a locality situated in Partille Municipality, Västra Götaland County, Sweden with 928 inhabitants in 2005.Jonsered is an old, traditional industrial community by the Säve river outside Gothenburg in Sweden. Jonsered's factories were established here in 1834...
in the historic province of Västergötland
Västergötland
', English exonym: West Gothland, is one of the 25 traditional non-administrative provinces of Sweden , situated in the southwest of Sweden. In older English literature one may also encounter the Latinized version Westrogothia....
. He is buried in Gothenburg.
Work
His works were quite varied and included two completed symphonies, a substantial SerenadeSerenade
In music, a serenade is a musical composition, and/or performance, in someone's honor. Serenades are typically calm, light music.The word Serenade is derived from the Italian word sereno, which means calm....
for Orchestra, two piano concerto
Piano concerto
A piano concerto is a concerto written for piano and orchestra.See also harpsichord concerto; some of these works are occasionally played on piano...
s, four piano sonata
Piano sonata
A piano sonata is a sonata written for a solo piano. Piano sonatas are usually written in three or four movements, although some piano sonatas have been written with a single movement , two movements , five or even more movements...
s, a violin sonata
Violin sonata
A violin sonata is a musical composition for violin, which is nearly always accompanied by a piano or other keyboard instrument, or by figured bass in the Baroque period.-A:*Ella Adayevskaya**Sonata Greca for Violin or Clarinet and Piano...
, six string quartet
String quartet
A string quartet is a musical ensemble of four string players – usually two violin players, a violist and a cellist – or a piece written to be performed by such a group...
s, many songs and other vocal works, including several large-scale works for chorus or voices and orchestra: the early ballad
Ballad
A ballad is a form of verse, often a narrative set to music. Ballads were particularly characteristic of British and Irish popular poetry and song from the later medieval period until the 19th century and used extensively across Europe and later the Americas, Australia and North Africa. Many...
"Florez och Blanzeflor" op. 3 written around 1891, "Ithaka" op. 21 from 1904, the cantata
Cantata
A cantata is a vocal composition with an instrumental accompaniment, typically in several movements, often involving a choir....
s Ett folk (A people) from 1905 and Sången (The song) op. 44 from 1921.
Writing in The Chamber Music Journal
Chamber Music Journal
The Chamber Music Journal is published by The Cobbett Association for Chamber Music Research.It is a quarterly periodical devoted exclusively to non-standard, rare or unknown chamber music of merit. . ISSN 1535 1726. It is considered one of the leading chamber music reference sources in English...
, R.H.R. Silvertrust notes that Stenhammar's six string quartets are the most important written between those of Brahms and Bartok. Whether or not this is so, there is no denying that Stenhammar's quartets represent a very important development during the twenty-five years he was writing chamber music. Tonally, they range from the middle late Romantics to a style akin to mature Sibelius. Though not unknown by the Swedish chamber music
Chamber music
Chamber music is a form of classical music, written for a small group of instruments which traditionally could be accommodated in a palace chamber. Most broadly, it includes any art music that is performed by a small number of performers with one performer to a part...
public, his string quartets have been sadly neglected elsewhere. In 2008 Musikaliska konstföreningen published the world premiere edition of his Allegro Brillante for piano quartet
Piano quartet
In European classical music, piano quartet denotes a chamber music composition for piano and three other instruments, or a musical ensemble comprising such instruments...
composed in 1891 and his Allegro non tanto for piano trio
Piano trio
A piano trio is a group of piano and two other instruments, usually a violin and a cello, or a piece of music written for such a group. It is one of the most common forms found in classical chamber music...
composed in 1895.
Stenhammar was considered the finest Swedish pianist
Pianist
A pianist is a musician who plays the piano. A professional pianist can perform solo pieces, play with an ensemble or orchestra, or accompany one or more singers, solo instrumentalists, or other performers.-Choice of genres:...
of his time. Concert pianists who venture into the realm of the string quartet often wind up writing compositions which sound as though they were composed at, and are perhaps better played on, the piano. That Stenhammar's works show no such trait is because for nearly half of his life, he worked intimately with the Aulin Quartet
Tor Aulin
Tor Aulin was a Swedish violinist, conductor and composer.-Biography:Aulin studied music at the Royal College of Music in Stockholm and then in the Conservatory of Berlin with Émile Sauret and Philipp Scharwenka...
, the top Swedish string quartet of his day and one of the best then performing in Europe. In fact, he toured throughout Europe with them for many years and a piano quintet
Piano quintet
In European classical music, a piano quintet is a work of chamber music written for piano and four other instruments, most commonly piano, two violins, viola, and cello . Among the most frequently performed piano quintets are those by Robert Schumann, Johannes Brahms, César Franck, Antonín Dvořák...
was nearly always featured on their programmes. Thus it is no accident that his quartets show a fine grasp of instrumental timbre
Timbre
In music, timbre is the quality of a musical note or sound or tone that distinguishes different types of sound production, such as voices and musical instruments, such as string instruments, wind instruments, and percussion instruments. The physical characteristics of sound that determine the...
and technique. The part writing is sure, always idiomatic and evenly distributed.
Stenhammar recorded five piano roll
Piano roll
A piano roll is a music storage medium used to operate a player piano, piano player or reproducing piano. A piano roll is a continuous roll of paper with perforations punched into it. The peforations represent note control data...
s for Welte-Mignon
Welte-Mignon
M. Welte & Sons, Freiburg and New York was a manufacturer of orchestrions, organs and reproducing pianos, established in Vöhrenbach by Michael Welte in 1832.-Overview:...
on 21 September 1905.
List of compositions
- Orchestral works
- Piano Concerto No. 1 in B-flat minor, Opus 1 (1893)
- Excelsior! Concert Overture, Opus 13 (1896)
- Symphony No. 1 in F major (1902–03, withdrawn)
- Piano Concerto No. 2 in D minor, Opus 23 (1904–1907)
- Two Sentimental Romances for violin and orchestra, Opus 28 (1910)
- Serenade in F major, Opus 31 (1908–13, rev.1919)
- Symphony No. 2 in G minor, Opus 34 (1911–1915)
- Symphony No. 3 in C major (1918–19, fragment)
- Opera and choral works
- Florez and Blanzeflor (for baritone and orchestra), Opus 3 (1891)
- Gildet på Solhaug (opera), Opus 6 (1892–1893)
- “TirfingTyrfingTyrfing or Tirfing was a magic sword in Norse mythology, which figures in a poem from the Poetic Edda called Hervararkviða, and in Hervarar saga...
” (opera), Opus 15 (1897–1898) - Ithaka (for baritone and orchestra), Opus 21 (1904)
- Ett Folk (cantata), Opus 22 (1904–1905)
- Midvinter (for mixed chorus and orchestra), Opus 24 (1907)
- Sången (cantata), Opus 44 (1921)
- Around 60 songs
- Chamber music
- String Quartet No. 1 in C major, Opus 2 (1894)
- String Quartet No. 2 in C minor, Opus 14 (1896)
- String Quartet No. 3 in F major, Opus 18 (1897–1900)
- String Quartet No. 4 in A minor, Opus 25 (1904–1909)
- String Quartet No. 5 in C major, Opus 29 (1910)
- String Quartet No. 6 in D minor, Opus 35 (1916)
- Violin Sonata in A minor, Opus 19 (1899–1900)
- Allegro ma non tanto in A Major, for Piano Trio (1895)
- Allegro Brillante in E flat Major, for Piano Quartet (1891)
- Piano music
- Sonata No. 1 in C major (1880)
- Sonata No. 2 in C minor (1881)
- Sonata No. 3 in A-flat major (1885)
- Sonata No. 4 in G minor (1890)
- Three Fantasies, Opus 11 (1895)
- Sonata in A-flat major, Opus 12 (1895)
- Late Summer - 5 piano pieces, Opus 33 (1914)
External links
- Wilhelm Stenhammar Complete String Quartets (Nos.1-6), Violin Sonata Op.19 & Allegro Brillante for Piano Quartet Soundbites & Information
- Biography on the site of the Swedish Music Information Centre
- Listen to Tre Körvisor - free MP3 recordings of : September, I Seraillets Have och Havde jeg en Dattersøn with Umeå Akademiska Kör.
- Listen to a free MP3 recording of Vårnatt with Hemavans Sommarkör 2006.