Biography of John Fernström (1897-1961)

Photography kindly provided by Christer Fernström

With kind allowance of Christer Fernström

With kind allowance of Christer Fernström

Photography kindly provided by Christer Fernström
1897
Born in Ichang (China) son of a missionary
1907
Return to Sweden
1913
Student of Malmö conservatory, violin lessons from Carl Nordberger
1916
Violinist of the Helsingborg symphony orchestra (for 23 years)
1918
His older brother, who had supported him financially, dies of the Spanish flu. The loss makes Fernström compose
1923
Studies composition with Peder Gram in Copenhagen
1930
Studies composition and conducting in Sondershausen
1932
Head of the students concerts of his orchestra
1939
Conductor of Malmö broadcasting orchestras (until 1941)
1943
Woodwind Quintet op. 56
1950
Founder of the Nordic Youth Orchestra
1953
Member of Swedish Academy
Studies painting in Paris
19.10.1961
Dies
Further information/Sources:
- → Offizielle Website von John Fernström
- → CDs by/of John Fernström bei JPC (mit Hörproben)
- → Music by/with John Fernström at amazon.de
Sheet music for flute:
Blåskvintett op. 59 (F-Dur)
(flute, oboe, clarinet, bassoon, horn)
Rating: mid-grade
- Allegro molto
- Adagio
- Scherzo - Allegro molto
- Final - Rondo: Vivace
Very melodic, the many changes of metrum are easy to play, because you have always to count quarter notes. Technically not that difficult, only the french horn has to play some high notes. It is modern music but it is nevertheless singing. All of us five decided, this is something we wanna work on.
CDs with/from John Fernström
- I (13:19:00)
- II (15:26:00)
- III Scherzo (07:47:00)
- IV Finale (11:18:00)
- Concertino for Flute with Small Orchestra and Womens Choir Op. 52 (1941) (10:10:00)
- The Capricious Troubadour - Serenade in Four Movements Op. 21 (1931) (14:10:00)
Symphony No. 6 (1938):
Oslo Wind Ensemble
Scandinavian Wind Quintets (1993)
- Allegro molto (05:11:00)
- Adagio (05:37:00)
- Scherzo (02:49:00)
- Finale - Rondo Vivace (04:28:00)
- Preludium Largo (04:53:00)
- Presto (03:35:00)
- Adagio ma non troppo (04:24:00)
- Allegro assai (05:05:00)
- Vor Gud er tro i liv og dod - Con moto (02:12:00)
- Lover nu Herren - Maestoso (02:05:00)
- Det koster mer end man først betenker - Langsomt - poco lento (02:22:00)
- Allegro ben moderato (09:02:00)
- Menuett (04:55:00)
- Præludium - Adagio (02:00:00)
- Tema con variazioni (10:45:00)
John Fernström: Wind Quintet Op. 59:
Johan Kvandal: Wind Quintet Op. 34:
Johan Kvandal: Three Hymn Tunes Op. 23b:
Carl Nielsen: Wind Quintet Op. 43:
Außer dem Nielsen-Quintett sind die anderen Werke hierzulande weitgehend unbekannt. Ich habe das Quintett von Kvandal lieben gelernt. Es hat einen fast symphonischen Klang, vergleichbar mit Werken der Böhmen Pilss oder Foerster, dabei aber eine etwas finsterere, weniger optimistische Grundfärbung.
Die relativ günstigen Naxos-Ausgaben nutze ich schon mal gerne, um neue Literatur kennenzulernen.
Last edit 07.01.2021