Composer Exchanging Culture
Bengt Hambraeus, born Stockholm, Sweden, 1928, graduated M.A., 1950, and Ph.D., 1956, from Uppsala University where his concentration centred on Musicology, History and Psychology of Religion, and the History and Theory of Fine Arts. He studied the organ with Alf Linder; he also studied Composition with Günter Raphael; in Germany, he studied with Wolfgang Fortner, Olivier Messiaen and Ernst Krenek, 1951-54. Since 1948, Dr. Hambraeus has been active both as writer and composer and, as a young musician, became internationally recognized in both disciplines. Working for National Swedish Broadcasting Corporation, 1957-72, Dr. Hambraeus introduced foreign cultures and experimental Western Music for the first time to a Swedish audience. However, it was not until 1971 that Bengt Hambraeus discovered Canada. Selected by the Swedish Music Information Centre to give an eight-week North American lecture tour offering Swedish contemporary music, Dr. Hambraeus was made an offer, following the tour de force lecture circuit, by McGill University, 1972, to teach at the Faculty of Music as a Professor. Upon retirement, 1995, Dr. Hambraeus was made Emeritus Professor. His commitment to Swedish and Canadian cultures, including ethnical, aboriginal, and transcultural internationalism, are well known. He was awarded, 1986, Sweden’s highest honour, the Royal Medal “Litteris et Artibus’’ presented by the Swedish Ambassador on behalf of the King of Sweden. In 1996 he received the rare award, The Swedish Tribute, from the Swedish Embassy in Ottawa, for his contribution to cultural exchange between Sweden and Canada. Many of his latter compositions such as Nocturnals (1990), Piano Concerto (1992), and the Horn Concerto (1997) were created with strong inspiration from both the Glengarry County landscape, eastern Ontario, and the heritage and integrity of native peoples in different worlds. [Photo by Michael B. Hambraeus (the late), courtesy Dr. Bengt Hambraeus]