Born in Sundbyberg on the 11th October, 1963. He studied counterpoint with Valdemar Söderholm before beginning his studies at the Royal College of Music in Stockholm in 1982. During the following nine years he studied with Daniel Börtz, Arne Mellnäs, Lars-Erik Rosell, Sven-David Sandström and Pär Lindgren. The Concerto for viola and string orchestra (1991), which was Engström’s graduation piece, was first performed by the Swedish Radio Symphony Orchestra and is regarded as his breakthrough as a composer.
“I often write for orchestra and I like writing for string instruments – both solo concertos and chamber music – and also for percussion. I also write for piano, sometimes for woodwind, less often for brass and occasionally for choir, but I never write electronic music.“
Engström has written music for the Kroumata percussion ensemble and for the KammarensembleN. Notable works in recent years include Symphony No. 1, “Pangea“ (1990-94), Orchestral Suite (1996) and Trumpet Concerto (1997). The composer concurs with Hilding Rosenberg’s statement: “I want to go back to upholding the importance of melody; everything else in the music is really just glitter.".

Photo Lars Torndahl

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