Waldemar Åhlén

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Gustaf Waldemar Åhlén (also Waldemar Aahlen and Ahlen; * July 21, 1894 in Helgesta, Södermanland County in Sweden ; † December 18, 1982 in Högalids församling in Stockholm ) was a Swedish organist, music teacher and composer. His most popular piece of music is Sommarpsalm . It is often considered the most popular Swedish choral piece.

Life

Waldemar Åhlén grew up in a family of cantors and teachers. Waldemar replaced his father as organist early on in his absence. He was taught piano and organ playing as well as harmony by his brother David Åhlén , the long-time organist at Engelbrechtskirche in Stockholm. Waldemar later studied at the Royal Swedish Academy of Music . Gustaf Hägg (1867–1925), his organ teacher, and Anna Bergström-Simonsson (1853–1937), who taught him the methodology of school singing, had a particular influence on Waldemar. After the organ, music teacher and church singing exams in 1917, he took lessons from organist Georg Eduard Bernhard Pfannstiehl (1869–1940) in Dresden in order to further develop his organ playing. In 1917 he became organist at the Messias Chapel in Stockholm and in 1923 at the Högalid Church . He gave organ concerts here at his own expense, which was not common in Stockholm. In 1928 he got the job as organist at the St. James' Church in Stockholm. During this time he worked intensively with the choirmaster and cantor of St. James' Church Set Svanholm , who was also known as an opera singer. Svanholm's successor was Eric Ericson . Åhlén himself has led the church's boys' choir since it was founded in 1944.

From 1917 to 1933 Åhlén was a singing teacher at the Tomteboda Institute for the Blind and from 1919 to 1958 he was a music teacher at Stockholm elementary schools, especially at the Engelbrechtsschule. He was an expert at the 1940 års skolutredning [1940s school examination] and 12 years music advisor to the Stockholm elementary schools. In this role he ran music education courses for teachers. In 1930 he founded Stockholms sånglärarförening , an association of Stockholm singing teachers, of which he was chairman until 1952.

Åhlén was considered one of the leading organists of his generation. He gave numerous concerts in and outside Sweden. He made recordings for radio and vinyl. At his regular concerts in the Jakobskirche, he raised money for Albert Schweitzer , whom he himself met in Linköping in 1927 and visited in Africa in 1960. He wrote books on organ building, organs and organ music and reviews in newspapers. His advice was sought in building many organs throughout Sweden. His aim was to keep the organs' old sound but to equip them with technical innovations of the time. From 1934 to 1936 he was chairman of the Kyrkosångens Vänners Orgelråd. In 1942 he was elected chairman of the Stockholm Circle of Kyrkosångens Vänner [Friends of Church Singing ]. 1962 to 1669 he was deputy chairman of the nationwide central committee of the organization

Together with Albert Runbäck (1894–1974) he published a sheet music collection at Nordiska in Stockholm from 1936 onwards with postludes for every Sunday and public holiday of the church year and in 1941 a collection of preludes. In 1944 he published the song book Sjung svenska folk! Together with Ernfrid Bjuringer . [Sing, Swedish people!] Out. In 1952 he published some movements for children's choir at Nordiska.

After forty-three years of service, he ended his time at the Jakobskirche on June 30, 1971 with a farewell concert at the age of almost 77. The church was full and he closed the concert together with the congregation with his Sommarpsalm .

Works (selection)

Sommarpsalm

Waldemar Åhlén's most popular piece of music is Sommarpsalm . It can be found in many sheet music collections for choral music and there are many recordings and arrangements for different ensembles. It has been used as film music in several films, e.g. B. 1996 in The Trail of the Hunters . It was also part of the wedding service of Victoria of Sweden and Daniel Westling on June 19, 2010 in Stockholm's Nikolaikirche ( Storkyrkan ) in a version as a parish song with choir, organ and orchestra.

Piano works

  • Classic style suite for piano or harpsichord. Published by Nordiska Stockholm, 1936

Organ works

  • Allegro festivo. Composed in 1925. Published by Nordiska in Stockholm, 1932. Recorded by Åhlén. Recorded on the Swedish Radio at Klarakirche in Stockholm on February 2nd, 1973. Broadcasted on August 24th, 1973. On: Organum. Waldemar Åhlén spelar egna Verk. [Waldemar Åhlén plays his own works]. Proprium PRP 7753
  • Sommarpsalm [summer song]: En vänlig grönskas rika dräkt [a friendly, green, rich dress]. Composed in 1933. Recorded by Åhlén. On: Organum. Waldemar Åhlén spelar egna Verk. [Waldemar Åhlén plays his own works]. Proprium PRP 7753
  • I denna ljuva sommartid [In this lovely summer time], chorale partita. Composed in 1936. Recorded by Åhlén. On: Organum. Waldemar Åhlén spelar egna Verk. [Waldemar Åhlén plays his own works]. Proprium PRP 7753
  • Postludies for all Sundays and public holidays of the church year. Co-editor: Albert Runbäck. Published by Nordiska in Stockholm, 1936
  • Introit Preludes for Organ. Co-editor: Albert Runbäck. Published by Nordiska in Stockholm, 1941
  • Sursum Corda. Composed in 1945. Published by Nordiska in Stockholm, 1935. Recorded by Åhlén. On: Organum. Waldemar Åhlén spelar egna Verk. [Waldemar Åhlén plays his own works]. Proprium PRP 7753
  • Lover Gud i himmelshöjd [Praise God in heaven], chorale partita. Published by Nordiska in Stockholm, 1955.
  • Musica jacobensis I Pastorale II Largo solenne III Toccata brevis. Published by Nordiska in Stockholm in 1959
  • Vårpastoral [spring pastoral]. Composed in 1967. Published in 1974 by Nordiska in Stockholm. Recorded by Åhlén. Recorded in Gustav Wasa Church in Stockholm on June 17, 1975. On: Organum. Waldemar Åhlén spelar egna Verk. [Waldemar Åhlén plays his own works]. Proprium PRP 7753. And on: The Romantic Organ in Gustaf Vasa Church Stockholm [The romantic organ in the Gustav Wasa Church in Stockholm]. Proprium PRCD 2007
  • Agnus dei. Composed in 1970. Published by SMIC
  • Interludio I. Composed in 1970. Published by SMIC
  • Via dolorosa. Composed in 1970. Published by SMIC
  • Adagio espressivo. Composed in 1974. Recorded by Åhlén. Recorded in Gustav Wasa Church in Stockholm on June 17, 1975. On: Organum. Waldemar Åhlén spelar egna Verk. [Waldemar Åhlén plays his own works]. Proprium PRP 7753. And on: The Romantic Organ in Gustaf Vasa Church Stockholm [The romantic organ in the Gustav Wasa Church in Stockholm]. Proprium PRCD 2007
  • Four meditative organ pieces. I Cantabile II Andante III Lento IV Andante. Composed in 1974. Recorded by Åhlén. Recorded in Gustav Wasa Church in Stockholm on June 17, 1975 on Organum. Waldemar Åhlén spelar egna Verk. [Waldemar Åhlén plays his own works]. Proprium PRP 7753. And on: The Romantic Organ in Gustaf Vasa Church Stockholm [The romantic organ in the Gustav Wasa Church in Stockholm]. Proprium PRCD 2007

Choral works

For mixed a cappella choir

  • Sommarpsalm [summer song]. Incipit: En vänlig grönskas rika dräkt . Text: Carl David af Wirsen. Published by Nordiska Stockholm, 1934. English version: The earth adorned . Translated by Carolyn and Kenneth Jennings. Orchestra Published by Walton Music, Milwaukee, 1974
  • Gud är vår tillflykt och starkhet [God is our refuge and strength] Published by Nordiska, 1952
  • Som daggens pärlor glimma [As the pearls of dew glitter]. Published by Nordiska, 1955
  • Tacken Herren [Thank you the Lord] Text: Psalm 136. Published by Nordiska, 1955
  • Huru ljuvliga aro icka dina boningar [How lovely are your homes] Text: Psalm 84, 2-4d. Published by Nordiska, 1966

For children's choir

  • Appelträd och päronträd [apple trees and pear trees] for children's choir. Published by Nordiska, 1952
  • Barnabön [children's prayer ] for children's choir. Published by Nordiska, 1952
  • Dock visas for children's choirs. Published by Nordiska, 1952
  • En stjärna brann for children's choir. Published by Nordiska, 1952
  • Hembygd [Heimat] for children's choir. Published by Nordiska, 1952
  • Sommarvisa [summer tune ] for children's choir. Published by Nordiska, 1952
  • Vår på Sollerön [Spring on Sollerön] for children's choir. Published by Nordiska, 1952
  • Höj, själ, till skaparens lov din roast [Raise, soul, to the praise of the creator your voice] for children's or women's choir with piano. For the Holy Trinity Day. Published by Nordiska in Stockholm, 1953
  • Adventsbön [Advent prayer] for children's choir and piano
  • En stjärna vill jag följa [I will follow a star] for children's choir. Published by Nordiska, 1955

Song books

  • Sjung svenska folk! [Sing, Swedish people!] A songbook for school and society. Co-editor: Ernfrid Bjuring

Works about works by Waldemar Åhlén

  • Roland Forsberg: Come ditt rike [Come your kingdom], partita for organ about Waldemar Åhlén's chorale. Published by Proprius böcker & musik , 1974

Recordings as interpreter (selection)

  • Bernhard Sönnerstedt, baritone; Waldemar Åhlén, organ: shellac record: Artist R 1015 --FG 339 (matrix). Page A Ludwig van Beethoven: I himlar sjungen.Lovsång. Side B die FG 338: WA Mozart: Ave verum corpus
  • Waldemar Åhlén, Organ: Fantasy and Fugue in G minor BWV 542. On: Minnesutgåva vid konserthusets återinvigning 1973. Volym I. Orfeus 1973
  • Waldemar Åhlén, Organ: On: Organum. Waldemar Åhlén spelar egna Verk. [Waldemar Åhlén plays his own works]. Proprium PRP 7753
  • The Romantic Organ in Gustaf Vasa Church Stockholm [The romantic organ in Gustav Wasa Church in Stockholm]. Proprium PRCD 2007

Web links

Individual evidence

  1. ↑ a b c d Anders Dillmar: Waldemar Åhléns Sommarpsalm. (No longer available online.) Archived from the original on March 4, 2016 ; Retrieved June 12, 2017 (Swedish). Info: The archive link was inserted automatically and has not yet been checked. Please check the original and archive link according to the instructions and then remove this notice. @1@ 2Template: Webachiv / IABot / web.comhem.se
  2. ↑ a b Postludier för kyrkoårets Samtliga sön- och helgdagar. 1936, Retrieved June 12, 2017 .
  3. ↑ a b Introitus-preludier for organ. 1941, Retrieved June 12, 2017 .
  4. ↑ Anders Dillmar: Waldemar Åhléns Sommarpsalm. (No longer available online.) Archived from the original on March 4, 2016 ; Retrieved June 12, 2017 (Swedish). Info: The archive link was inserted automatically and has not yet been checked. Please check the original and archive link according to the instructions and then remove this notice. @1@ 2Template: Webachiv / IABot / web.comhem.se
  5. ^ Worldcat identities Åhlén, Waldemar 1894-1982. Retrieved June 12, 2017 (English).
  6. ^ Waldemar Åhlén. Retrieved June 12, 2017 .
  7. ↑ Suit i classic style for piano "(harpsichord)". 1936, Retrieved June 12, 2017 (Swedish).
  8. ↑ Allegro festivo for organ. 1932, Retrieved June 12, 2017 .
  9. ↑ Sursum corda organ. 1946, Retrieved June 12, 2017 (Swedish).
  10. ↑ Lover Gud i himmelshöjd = Praise God in heaven high: Choral partita: organ. 1955, Retrieved June 12, 2017 .
  11. ↑ Musica Jacobensis. 1959, Retrieved June 12, 2017 .
  12. ↑ Vårpastoral. 1974, Retrieved June 12, 2017 .
  13. ^ The earth adorned: Psalm of summer. 1974, accessed June 12, 2017 .
  14. ↑ Gud är vår tillflykt och starkhet text ur psaltars. 1952, Retrieved June 12, 2017 (Swedish).
  15. ↑ Som daggens pärlor glimma: E. Evers efter Joh. Bittmann. 1955, Retrieved June 12, 2017 (Swedish).
  16. ↑ Tacken Mr. Dav. ps. 136. 1955, accessed June 12, 2017 (Swedish).
  17. ↑ Huru ljuvliga aro icka dina boningar Dav. ps. 84: 2-4d Waldemar Åhlén. 1966, Retrieved June 12, 2017 (Swedish).
  18. ↑ Appelträd och päronträd. 1952, Retrieved June 12, 2017 (Swedish).
  19. ↑ Barnabon. 1952, Retrieved June 12, 2017 (Swedish).
  20. ↑ En Dockvisa. 1952, Retrieved June 12, 2017 (Swedish).
  21. ↑ En stjärna brann. 1952, Retrieved June 12, 2017 (Swedish).
  22. ↑ Hembygd. 1952, Retrieved June 12, 2017 (Swedish).
  23. ↑ Sommarvisa. 1952, Retrieved June 12, 2017 (Swedish).
  24. ↑ Vår på Sollerön. 1952, Retrieved June 12, 2017 (Swedish).
  25. ↑ Höj, själ, till skaparens lov din roast: (Til) Heliga trefaldighets dag. 1953, Retrieved June 12, 2017 .
  26. ↑ Advent Bon. 1955, Retrieved June 12, 2017 (Swedish).
  27. ↑ Sjung svenska folk !: sångbok för skola och samhälle. 1944, Retrieved June 12, 2017 (Swedish).
  28. ↑ Come ditt rike partita för organ över Waldemar Åhléns koral (psalm och sång no 323). 1974, Retrieved June 12, 2017 (Swedish).
  29. ^ Ave verum corpus. Retrieved June 12, 2017 .
  30. ↑ Minnesutgåva vid konserthusets återinvigning 1973. Volym I. Volym I. 1973, accessed on June 12, 2017 .
  31. ^ Waldemar Åhlén, Waldemar Åhlén, Waldemar Åhlén, Mariakören i Västerås: Organum . 1975 ( naxosmusiclibrary.com [accessed June 12, 2017]).
  32. ^ The romantic organ. 1975, Retrieved June 12, 2017 .
personal data
SURNAME Åhlén, Waldemar
ALTERNATIVE NAMES Åhlén, Gustav Waldemar (full name); Aahlen, Waldemar; Ahlen, Waldemar
BRIEF DESCRIPTION Swedish organist, music teacher and composer
DATE OF BIRTH July 21, 1894
PLACE OF BIRTH Helgesta, Södermanland County , Sweden
DATE OF DEATH 18th December 1982
Place of death Högalids församling, Stockholm