Nystroem lived in Copenhagen for four years, where he became acquainted with composer Carl Nielsen, with whom he attended football matches.
Composer Biography
Nystroem did not decide to make music his career until he was 35 years old, preferring to fish and experience nature, and even called himself lazy.
Composer Biography
Gösta Nystroem (1890-1966) was a gifted painter and writer in addition to his musical talents, and even considered painting as a career after a negative experience at the Conservatory.
Critical Reception
Despite generally positive critical reactions, Nystroem's Sinfonia shakespeariana remains his least performed symphony, with some critics finding its proportions unbalanced and the music repetitive.
Composition History
Sinfonia shakespeariana, Nystroem's Symphony No. 4, was inspired by Shakespeare, and some musical ideas from his score for The Tempest were incorporated into the symphony.
Composition History
Nystroem did not number his symphonies, with Symphony No. 4 being the only exception, officially named after the composer decided his inspiration did not need to influence the listener.
Composer's Artistic Vision
Nystroem's dual interest in painting and music meant that for him, every note represented a particular color; the note F always denoted blue, which is a recurring element in Sinfonia tramontana.
