Born in Västra Husby, Norrköping, on 13th May 1933. He studied at the State Academy of Music in Stockholm, 1953-1960, graduating as a music teacher and as organist and choir master. Lars-Erik Larsson was his first composition teacher, after which he studied for a time with Karl-Birger Blomdahl, who was appointed Professor in 1960. Schönberg was taught the theory of music by Erland von Koch and Valdemar Söderholm. His background also includes studies abroad, of which his organ lessons with Flor Peeters are perhaps among the most important.

His style radiates austerity and objectivity; there are no outpourings of feeling or temperament. In form, Schönberg inclines towards classical models, the less restricted, quasi improvisatory forms of the Baroque (toccatas and preludes) and various models of moderate thematic development. His imagination is not charged with drama or suggestive effects but is concerned with showing how material can be elaborated into a concatenation of processes, logically and in a craftsmanlike manner.

Organ music is his main field of activity, but he has also made significant contributions to chamber music, including for example the series of string quartets which he himself values highly.

Both these fields, together with his less extensive orchestral output, show him to be truly a “musician’s composer“, technically proficient and assiduously creative.
Hans-Gunnar Peterson