Två Stämningsbilder (Two Mood Pictures), op. 119 (1999–2011)

Bengt-Göran Sköld (b. 1936) — Två Stämningsbilder (Two Mood Pictures), op. 119 (1999–2011) for organ

Composer and organist Bengt-Göran Sköld (b. 1936) was born in Gothenburg, Sweden. He studied composition with Ingvar Lidholm at the State College of Music in Stockholm before continuing his studies in Stuttgart, Germany with Johann Nepomuk David and Anton Nowakovskij. Though he is particularly known for his church music (for choir and organ), Sköld has written in many forms, including numerous acclaimed large-scale works for orchestra. As an organist and music director, he has served a number of churches in Sweden including the Franska reformerta Kyrkan in Stockholm and Sankt Olai kyrka in Norrköping. His musical style is varied and eclectic depending on the expressive needs of each work; one touchstone piece from the 1970s is his “Christmas Oratorio” in which jazz and revival-style hymns are combined with grand symphonic romanticism. His organ output is likewise eclectic, though often displays influences of the baroque keyboard masters, late German romanticism, and especially Béla Bartók.

The composer writes: “‘Mood Pictures’ might as well be called ‘nostalgic photos’ or ‘memories.’ I began writing them in 1999 in memory of my uncle, the composer Yngve Sköld, who was born in 1899. Influences from the romantic music of his early youth can be heard in the music. My own more contemporary idiom shines through particularly in No. 1 and No. 7.”

Published by Noteria (http://www.noteria.se) in “Stämningsbilder” (#1 and #7)