Born near Stockholm in 1916, the Swedish composer Karl-Birger Blomdahl enjoyed an active career as a teacher and administrator. His music developed from the influence of Bartók and Stravinsky to an interest in serialism, later avoiding the more extreme innovations promoted at Darmstadt.

Stage Works

Blomdahl completed two operas: Aniara and Herr von Hancken. The first of these deals with space travel, presented symbolically. His ballets include Sisyphos and Minotauros, and incidental music is represented by Vaknatten.

Orchestral, Vocal and Chamber Music

Blomdahl’s other compositions include three symphonies, choral pieces, songs, and varied chamber music.