Karin Rehnqvist is one of Sweden’s most wellknown composers, whose music is both frequently and widely performed. She has composed chamber, orchestra and vocal music and works gladly with unusual and intermedial concert forms.
A characteristic feature which has often been mentioned in connection with Karin Rehnqvist’s music is the cross-fertilisation between art music and folk music. The folk music element is an integral part of her music and is not just used for effect or for nostalgic reasons.
Between 1976 and 1991 Karin Rehnqvist was the leader of the choir "Stans Kör". This resulted in a close relationship to vocal music and also roused her interest in different approaches to concert performances.
2000 -2004 Karin Rehnqvist is composer in residence with Scottish Chamber Orchestra and Svenska Kammarorkestern in co-operation. For them she composed the much performed Arktis Arktis!, inspired from a polar expedition in the summer of 1999.
Karin Rehnqvist has received many prizes for her music; In 1996 the Läkerol Arts Award "for her renewal of the relationship between folk music and art music". The same year she was awarded the "Spelmannen" prize by the daily newspaper Expressen, and in 1997 she received the Christ Johnson Prize for Solsången. In 2001 she was awarded the Kurt Atterberg Prize.
For more information: www.karin-rehnqvist.se
Photo: Ester Sorri