JAN CARLSTEDT
Born in Orsa on 15th June 1926, died in Stockholm, on 14th March 2004. He studied composition with Lars-Erik Larsson at the Royal College of Music in Stockholm (1948-1952). He also studied at the Royal College of Music in London (1952-1953) and in Rome (1953-1954). He was founder of the Contemporary Chamber Music Society (Samtida Musik) and its Chairman from the very beginning in 1960 until 1988. He was also Secretary of the Society of Swedish Composers (1961-1963). He served on the board of the Swedish Performing Rights Society 1970 and has held executive appointments within the Musikaliska Konstföreningen (editions of Swedish composers). He also worked with experimental activities on behalf of the Swedish Concert Institute (“Music for Youth“, 1963-1965). He became a Member of the Royal Swedish Academy of Music in 1974.

Meticulous craftsmanship and an abundant personal fantasy have made Jan Carlstedt’s work an essential manifestation of Swedish modernism. A concise and judiciously balanced rhythmic development, lines which develop without losing balance, distinct harmonic foundations which both generate tensions and impart unshakeable stability to the process of form — these are characteristic qualities of Carlstedt’s compositions. Folk music was a beneficial source of inspiration to him, for example through the broad thematic character of ballads or the rustic contour belonging to the dances of folk music. Carlstedt’s stylistic orientation away from Central Europe was also vitally important. Elements of 20th-century Soviet modernism and contemporary English music (Britten) enlarged his expressive range. His tonal language acquired added depth, with an uncluttered sense of motif and a frequently conspicuous and unmistakable pathos.
Hans-Gunnar Peterson (rev. 2004)
Photo Lars Torndahl