Helmer Alexandersson Swedish composer and violinist. Date of Birth: 16.11.1886 Country: Sweden

Biography of Helmer Alexandersson

Helmer Alexandersson was a Swedish composer and violinist. He studied at the Stockholm Conservatory from 1902 to 1908, under the guidance of Johan Lindgren (composition), Carl Johan Lindberg, and Lars Zetterkvist (violin). After completing his military service, he furthered his composition studies in Berlin with Jean-Paul Ertel. Upon his return to Stockholm in 1912, Alexandersson composed the official anthem for the V Olympic Games.

Alexandersson's most famous composition, the Second Symphony in G minor, was written in 1914. The premiere took place in 1919, but it gained critical acclaim when the symphony was revived by conductor Georg Schneevoigt in 1923. Kurt Atterberg and Wilhelm Peterson-Berger were among the sympathetic newspaper critics who praised the symphony. From 1918, Alexandersson served as the concertmaster in the orchestra of one of Stockholm's main cinemas, "Röda Kvarn." He also composed music for several films, including Victor Sjöström's "Sons of Ingmar" and F.W. Murnau's "Sunrise."

Alexandersson's sister, Karin Alexandersson (1878-1948), was an actress in silent Swedish films.