Death of foremost Swedish composer, 76
mainThe pre-eminent Swedish composer Sven-David Sandström died early today of lung cancer.
He published more than 500 works, many of them large scale, and was a pivotal, popular figure in Swedish musical life.
Abroad, he taught for ten years at Bloomington, Indiana.
One of his last works – “Uppbrott” (Break-up) with lyrics by Werner Aspenström – will have its premiere on Saturday in Adolf Fredrik Church, Stockholm.
Indeed, Sven-David Sandstrom was a great artist and teacher. Those of us who had the privilege of working with him are all mourning his passing. His music was like him, full of energy, vitality, and generosity. Let it live on.
He wrote a fantastic flute concerto. Rest well.
Two of them! Both wonderful, though very different.
He was such an excellent professor and mentor. I miss him.