ROLF ENSTRÖM was born in 1951. He has studied in Gothenburg and Stockholm, concentrating on music studies and theoretical philosophy. He has also studied electroacoustic music at EMS. Enström has also taught composition at among other places Biskops Arnö Junior College and EMS.

The artistic power in Enström’s work comes for the most part from his ability to combine playfulness with a strict, stubborn exploration of timbres. He consistently, almost heavy-handedly, works at creating continuity in his musical forms; to the same extent, he values contrasts. The title of one of his earliest pieces exemplifies his interest in form: Sekvens i Blå (Sequence in Blue, 1978). Directions (1979) and Tjidtjag & Tjidtjaggaise (1986), the latter of which was awarded with the Prix Italia in 1987, are imbued with a comparable spirit.

Though his compositions are often built around rich ideas sprung from the fields of literature, current events and philosophy, timbre is also an area of great importance for Enström. Through the years he has fought for electroacoustic music as a means of expression, avoiding the current trends of working with echoes from the symphonic and chamber music traditions. He shows more interest in the history of philosophy and ideas than in our musical heritage. For example, his musical structures are borne more of his own ideas and chosen topics than historical musical form and craft.

His strong interest in science, literature and current events, coupled with his openness towards working with visual artists (mainly the photographer Thomas Hellsing), gives his work a depth of substance, rich in associations, which reflects our time as well as his own personality. Visual shows such as Fractal (1984), Asylen (1992), and Io (1996) are also among the most celebrated of his works.
The combination of instruments and tape forms another important direction in his development as a composer. He has enriched his profile by including piano, percussion and voice in several works, such as Open Wide, for piano, drum set and tape (1997); Rama, for mixed chorus and tape (1998); and Kronos, for 5 voices and tape (2000). Vigil (1994) is a powerful piece for saxophone quartet and tape. Slutförbannelser (Final Curses, text Elsa Grave, 1981), a work with powerful dramatic tension, drew much attention at the time of its composition. Kairos (1999), with its forays into the realm of musical drama, can be seen as a further development of his work.
Hans-Gunnar Peterson, rev.2000 (Engl. translation George Kentros) Photo Lars Torndahl

enstrom.rolf@telia.com
www.welcome.to/rolf.enstrom/

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