Olofsson Kent
Born in 1962 at Karlskrona, he began his musical career as a guitarist in a symphonic rock ensemble. During the years 1984–91 he studied composition at the Music Academy in Malmö. His music is characterised by a wide range of references and inspirations, from antique and oriental art, through the music of the Renaissance, to rock and the advanced technologies of sound modification. His compositions are mainly chamber works, in which he likes to combine instruments and live electronics. He has collaborated with the Symphony Orchestra of Bavarian Radio, the Swedish Radio Choir, the recherche, Klangforum Wien and Avanti! ensembles directed by Lothar Zagrosek, Gustavo Dudamel, Mario Venzago and Franck Ollu. Music for the theatre, as well as for exhibitions and performances, comprises a substantial proportion of his works, the number of which now exceeds 130. A dance spectacle with his music and choreography by Efva Lilja, staged at the Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao, was seen by more than 7000 people. He also composes for the art rock group Dame Wiggens, with whom he plays the guitar. He has been awarded the Christ Johnson Grand Prize (Stockholm, 2009) and prizes and distinctions at such events as the International Electroacoustic Music Competition in Bourges (1999), Musica Viva composers‘ competition under the patronage of BMW (Munich, 2004), and the Queen Sofia Music Composition contest (Madrid, 2010). Kent Olofsson lectures at the Music Academy in Malmö.
S e l e c t e d w o r k s: Invoking Aolos for percussion sextet (1993), The Kiss of the Seven Veils for soprano, bass clarinet, piano and tape (1993), The Stones of Emptiness for chamber ensemble and live electronics (1993), 14 Stations for organ (1993–94), Treccia for solo flute (1994), Burning Pitch for saxophone quintet, live electronics and tape (1994), Ghiaccio Eternofor chamber ensemble and tape (1994), Eos Weeping Dewfor tape (1994), Mui– Songs and Dances at Bubastis, computer music (1995), Rites de passage for bass clarinet and string quartet (1995), Gaea for flute, chamber ensemble and tape (1995), Cimmerian Darkness for string orchestra (1996), Bridge, electroacoustic music (1996), De Genomskinliga, electroacoustic music (1997), Hepheastus Forge for percussion and orchestra (1996–97), Mareld for male choir and tape (1998), Alinea II for string quartet and tape (1997–98), Beyond The Pale, electroacoustic music (1997–98), Flings for piano (1997–98), Stabat Mater for two sopranos, two mezzo-sopranos and tape (1999), Membra Jesu Nostri, motet for soloists, choir, baroque instruments and orchestra (1988–99), Threads of Emerald Windstrings for clarinet, guitar and small orchestra (1999), Il Liuto d’Orfeo for guitar and tape (1998–99), Alinea I–III for string quartet, tape and computer (1997– 2000), Treccia for trombone (2000), The Emerald Windstrings for clarinet and guitar (1999–2000), The Illuminated Dream Aflame, electroacoustic music (1998–2001), Trecciafor recorder (2000–01),Enneagramfor ensemble (2000– 01), Le miroir caché for soprano, four instruments and tape (2002), Parcas Cordesfor alto flute, alto guitar, viola and tape (2001–02), Fascia for charango, MIDI electric guitar, live electronics and orchestra (2002), Reeal Beeatsfor saxophone and tape (1997–2002), Cinq Esquissesfor harp and tape (2001–02), Incantation Jaune, Rouge, Bleue for flute orchestra (2003), Alambic I for alto guitar and live electronics (2003), Terpsichord for percussion and tape (2003), Continua, electroacoustic music (2003), Arcangelo’s Ground for eight cellos (2002–03), Epitome Afor flute, oboe, clarinet and electronics (2004), Decorafor piano, percussion and electronics (2004–05), The Bells for vocal groups, two choirs, instruments and electronics (2004–05), Corde for solo instruments, orchestra and live electronics (2002–06), Colloide / Fascia Epilogue for chamber ensemble (2006), Collagene / Fascia II for glissentar (alto guitar) and orchestra (2006), Wheel Within A Wheelfor four instruments (2005–06), Dora Träumtfor ensemble (2007),Chladni’s Bow / Physisonochromie III for accordion, orchestra and electronics (2006–07), Symphonie I for large orchestra (2005–07), Alambic III, Alambic IVfor electric guitar and tape (2007), Higg’s Bosonfor string sextet (2008), Alambic Vfor charango and electronics (2008), Chiral V for violin and ensemble (2008), Chiral II for flute and ensemble (2008), Mors Nostalgia, electroacoustic music (2008), Chiral III for cello and electronics (2009), Chiral IV for cello and five instruments (2009), Treccia for harpsichord (2010), Les portes de l’enferfor actors, ensemble of digital instruments and video (2010–11), Splinters, Silhouettes, Shadowsfor harpsichord and string quartet (2010), De stränga an-teckningarnafor actors, singers, electronics and installations (2010–11), A Language at Warfor actors, singers, electronics and video (2011), Noli me tangere for seven actors, seven singers and seven reciters (2012), Intérieur / Extérieur for Paetzold recorder, contrabass flute, electronics, video and stage installations (in collaboration with Jörgen Dahlqvist, 2012).
