Fougstedt, Nils-Eric

(1910-1961)

Nils-Eric Fougstedt (24 May 1910 – 12 April 1961) was a man of many musical talents: composer, Chief Conductor of the Finnish Radio Symphony Orchestra, teacher, music critic and author of textbooks. He was also the conductor of several choirs, including the Finnish Radio Choir, which he founded in 1940.

Fougstedt studied at the Helsinki Conservatory under Erik Furuhjelm and took composition courses in Florence, Berlin and elsewhere. His early music represents the Classic-Romantic tradition, though as he pointed out, his aim was independence from any style or trend. From the 1950s onwards he also applied free tonality and dodecaphony. His interest in polyphony and form is a typical feature of his music, together with an idyllic-Romantic tone. The thematic structure was, for him, the backbone of a composition; he was not interested in Impressionism that flirts with the orchestra without any thematic material.

As a composer Fougstedt is known mainly for his orchestral music (such as his two symphonies and concertos for piano and cello) and film scores. He did, however, compose a wealth of lyrical vocal music that still continues to arouse interest: among his most popular melodies is Romanssi (Romance) which is available in several arrangements. Fougstedt’s choral output is extensive; it has been largely published by Fennica Gehrman and it is recorded on the Alba label.

In stadio laboris – An Old Student Song

[Sales Material]

for string orchestra

str

Duration: 4

Romance [arr. de Godzinsky]

Romanssi

for voice and orchestra

1010-0000-01(Piatti, Glockenspiel/Vibrafono)-pf-guitar-str

Duration: 4

Romance [arr. Lehtinen]

Romanssi

for voice and orchestra

fl/gtr/str

Duration: 4

Tre miniatyrer

[Sales Material] (1953)

for string orchestra

str

Duration: 4