CHRISTIANHOLMQVIST

List of works
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Stage Works
Jardín de la Muerte (2021-22)
a song cycle for the stage
mezzo-soprano, tenor, alto saxophone, violin, cello, percussion (1 player)
poems by Maritza Núñez (in Spanish)
Duration: 55'
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Orchestral Music
Divertimento (1996)
symphonic wind band
piccolo, 2 flutes, 2 oboes, clarinet in es, 4 clarinets in b, bass clarinet, 2 bassoons, 2 alto saxophones, tenor saxophone, baritone saxophone, 4 french horns, 3 trumpets, 3 trombones, euphonium, tuba, contrabass, percussion (4-5 players)
Commissioned by Akateeminen puhallinorkesteri (The Academic Wind Band of Helsinki University)
I. Allegretto, II. Romanza, III. Tempo di menuetto, IV. Alla marcia
Duration: 14’
FP: Akateeminen puhallinorkesteri, Kalervo Kulmala, Seinäjoki 20.3.1999
Publisher: Edition Tilli
Purgatory Triptych (1999/2012)
2(+picc.)22(+bcl.)2/4230/12/strings
The main prize in the Kuopio National Composition Contest 1999
I. Prelude, II. Toccata, III. Passacaglia
Duration: 28’
FP (first version): Kuopio City Orchestra, Atso Almila, Kuopio 4.5.2000
Petite suite baroque (2000)
string orchestra
I. Gavotte, II. Sarabande, III. Gigue
Duration: 8’
FP: St. Michel Strings, Ari Angervo, Helsinki 4.4.2000
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Zwielicht (2017-2018)
222(+bcl.)2/2100/12/celesta/strings
Duration: 17'
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Variations on a Theme by Mozart (2018-2019)
1222/2100/01/strings
Duration: 25'
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Symphony for Strings (2023)
Duration: 24'
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Instrumental Solo and Orchestra
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Concerto for French Horn (2000)
french horn solo + percussion (1 player), strings
Commissioned by Tero Toivonen
Duration: 20’
FP: Tero Toivonen, Avanti!, Jani Telaranta, Helsinki 1.2.2004
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Concerto for Saxophone (2005-2006)
alto/soprano saxophone solo + percussion (1 player), piano, strings
Commissioned by Olli-Pekka Tuomisalo
I. Canto, II. Cadenza, III. Capriccio
Duration: 18’
FP: Olli-Pekka Tuomisalo, Hämeenlinna City Orchestra, Tuomas Rousi, Hämeenlinna 14.11.2006
Recording: Ballade-Finnish Saxophone Concertos Volume 3. Olli-Pekka Tuomisalo, A chamber orchestra, Sasha Mäkilä. OPTCD-09006 (2009)
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Concerto for Violin and String Orchestra (2022)
violin solo + strings
I. Andante, II. Allegro tenebroso, III. Adagio, IV. Andante-Allegro
Duration 40'
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Vocal Solo and Orchestra
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Fyra dikter av Edith Södergran (2019)
mezzo-soprano + 22(+cor anglais)22/2110/12/harp/piano(+celesta)/strings
I. Vad är mitt hemland? II. Orfeus, III. Beslut, IV. Hemkomst
Duration: 12'
see also works for voice and piano
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Du verlorne und nimmergekommene (2023)
song cycle for mezzo-soprano and string orchestra
Commissioned by Marika Kivinen
Duration: 24'
FP in preparation
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Chamber Music
Introduzione e scherzo (1992)
violin and piano
Duration: 10’
FP: Antti Elomaa & Pia Henriksson, Helsinki 6.3.1993
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Pezzo Concertante (1998)
alto saxophone and piano
Commissioned by Olli-Pekka Tuomisalo
Duration: 8’50’’
FP: Olli-Pekka Tuomisalo & Risto-Matti Marin, Espoo 25.11.1998
Recording: Kevättuulahdus / A Breath of Spring. Olli-Pekka Tuomisalo & Risto Matti Marin. OPTCD-01003-4 (2000)
Publisher: Edition Tilli
Saxophone Quartet (1999)
Commissioned by Akateeminen saksofonikvartetti (The Academic Saxophone Quartet)
I. Modo di sonata, II. Marcia fantastico, III. Finale brioso
Duration: 12’
FP: Akateeminen saksofonikvartetto, Riihimäki 23.1.2000
Recording: Finnish Saxophone Quartets. Akateeminen saksofonikvartetti. OPTCD-10007-8 (2010)
Printed score available: Edition Tilli
String Quartet No. 1 (2002/2013)
I. Adagio non troppo, II. Vivace, III. Allegretto, IV. Allegro agitato, V. Adagio non troppo
The first prize in the chamber music work category of the Kuopio National Composition Contest 2002
Duration: 23’
FP (first version): Savo-kvartetti, Kuopio 2.10.2003
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String Quartet No. 2 (2006/2020)
I. Adagio- Allegro, II. Tema con variazioni
Duration: 28'
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Götterdämmerung (2008)
A tribute to Rammstein
alto saxophone and piano
Commissioned by the duo Metallifonia
Duration: 8’
FP: Metallifonia (Olli-Pekka Tuomisalo & Risto-Matti Marin), Tampere 5.2.2009
Score available at MusicFinland
String Quartet No. 3 (2009-2010)
I. Allegro con fuoco, II. Adagio-Doppio movimento-Adagio, III. Allegro vivace
Duration: 20’
FP: AND ensemble (Annemarie Åström, Paula Nykänen, Tiila Kangas & Tomas Nuñez-Garcés),
Helsinki 5.4.2011
String Quartet No. 4 (2012)
I. Molto adagio, II. Allegretto ed inquieto, III. Adagio
Duration: 22'
FP 2025 in preparation
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Zugzwang (2015)
accordion and guitar
Commissioned by Matti Pulkki & Jonne Grans
Duration: 12'
FP Matti Pulkki & Jonne Grans, Helsinki 26.5.2016
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String Quartet No. 5 (2015-16)
I. Andante comodo, II. Vivace, III. Adagio, IV. Allegretto con grazia
Duration: 33'
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Sonata for Violin and Piano (2016-17)
I. Allegro appassionato, II. Largo, III. Allegretto con spirito
Duration: 24'
FP Annemarie Åström & Annika Palm, Helsinki 24.10.2021
String Quartet No. 6 (2021)
I. Allegro piacevole, II. Adagio, III. Allegro risoluto
Duration: 22'
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Sonata for Cello and Piano (2023-24)
I. Adagio-Moderato, II. Largo, III. Allegretto
Duration: 25'
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Solo Works
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Three Preludes (2000/2017)
piano
I. Adagio, II. Presto, III. Rubato, con delicatezza
Duration: 4'
FP: Laura Heikkilä, Helsinki 28.10.2013
Score available at MusicFinland
Adagietto (2001/2010)
organ
Duration: 3’
FP (first version): Svante Forsman, Siuntio 18.8.2001
Score available at MusicFinland
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Sonatina No 1 (2002)
piano
I. Allegretto, II. Larghetto, III. Allegretto
Duration: 8’
FP: Risto-Matti Marin, Mänttä 30.6.2005
Score available at MusicFinland
Sherlock's Violin (2002)
solo violin
The first prize in the solo violin work category of the Kuopio National Composition Contest 2002
Duration: 10’
FP: Teemu Tuominen, Kuopio 2.10.2003
Score available at MusicFinland
Sonatina No, 2 (2005)
piano
I. Andante, II. Allegro con brio
Duration: 6’
FP: Laura Heikkilä, Tarttu 5.2.2013
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Bagatelles (2011)
piano
I. Walls, II. Courage, III. The Cat, IV. Grief, V. The Garden, VI. In the Dark, VII. Snow
Duration: 7’
FP: Laura Heikkilä, Helsinki 4.11.2013
Score available at MusicFinland
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Transparent Things (2019)
suite for piano
I. Tranquillo, II. Allegro con brio, III. Andante, IV. Andantino, V. Allegro giocoso, VI. Andante soave, VII, Con spirito, VIII. Largo, IX. Vivace, X. Epilogue (Sognando).
Duration: 26''
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Syldavian Dances (2020)
piano
I. Vivo, II. Adagio, III. Andantino quasi allegretto, IV. Larghetto, V. Allegretto
Duration: 12’ 30’'
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The September Lyre (2020)
piano
Duration: 7'
FP Ere Lievonen, Amsterdam 26.6.2021
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The Dark's Spinets (2021)
harpsichord
Duration: 7'
FP Ere Lievonen, Aalborg 9.11.2021
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Nothing But the Embittered Sun (2022)
piano
Duration: 12'
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Like a River Unafraid (2023-24)
suite for organ
commissioned by Ere Lievonen
​Duration 18'30''
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Voice and Ensemble
Kanske är älska ingenting (2021)
mezzo-soprano, cello and piano
Commissioned by Marika Kivinen
Words by Märta Tikkanen (In Swedish)
Duration: 7'30''
FP Marika Kivinen, Iiris Tötterström & Jenna Ristilä, Helsinki 25.3.2023
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Diptico (2022)
mezzo-soprano, alto saxophone, cello and piano
Commissioned by Marika Kivinen
Poems by Maritza Núñez (In Spanish)
I. Retornoser, II. rusakko
Duration: 10'
FP in preparation
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Voice and Piano
The Fool's Songs from Twelfth Night (1993)
medium / high voice and piano
Poems by William Shakespeare (in English)
I. O Mistress Mine, II. Come Away Death, III. When That I Was And a Little Tiny Boy
Duration: 7'30''
FP: Petter Loukio & Eeva Tapanen, Helsinki 25.2.2024
Recording: Petteri Loukio & Eeva Tapanen. Christian Holmqvist: Songs. RRCD 003. (2024)
Score available at MusicFinland
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Kaksi Uuno Kailaan runoa (1994)
medium voice and piano
Poems by Uuno Kailas (in Finnish)
I. Sumu, II. Hollantilainen
Duration: 12'
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Fyra dikter av Edith Södergran (2002)
high voice and piano
Poems by Edith Södergran (in Swedish)
I. Vad är mitt hemland?, II. Orfeus, III. Beslut, IV. Hemkomst
Duration: 12’
FP: Marika Kivinen & Eeva Tapanen, Helsinki 16.3.2011
Recording: Marika Kivinen & Jenna Ristilä. Christian Holmqvist: Songs. RRCD 003. (2024)
Publisher: Edition Tilli
see also works for vocal solo and orchestra
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Three Sonnets of Shakespeare (2003-2004)
medium / high voice and piano
Poems by William Shakespeare (in English)
I. Sonnet 12 (When I do count the Clock), II. Sonnet 19 (Devouring Time), Sonnet 76 (Why is my verse so barren of new pride?)
Duration: 10'
FP: Marika Kivinen & Laura Heikkilä, Turku 12.5.2008
Score available at MusicFinland
Drei Sonette an Orpheus (2007)
medium voice and piano
Poems by Rainer Maria Rilke (in German)
I. Sei allem Abschied voran, II. Errichtet keinen Denkstein, III. Giebt es wirklich die Zeit, die zerstörende?
Duration: 8’
FP: Marika Kivinen & Laura Heikkilä, Helsinki 28.10.2013
Score available at MusicFinland
Five Children’s Poems (2009)
easy songs for amateurs; medium voice and piano
Poems by Christina Rossetti (in English)
I. What does the Bee do?, II. How many Seconds in a Minute?, III. If I were a Queen, IV. Who has seen the Wind?, V. If a Pig wore a Wig
Duration: 9’
FP: students at the Vantaan musiikkiopisto & Asta Onnila, Vantaa 21.3.2015
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O notte, o dolce tempo (2014)
mezzo-soprano and piano
Commissioned by Marika Kivinen
Poem by Michelangelo Buonarroti (in Italian)
Duration: 3’50’’
FP Marika Kivinen & Laura Heikkilä, Helsinki 8.9.2014
Recording: Marika Kivinen & Jenna Ristilä. Christian Holmqvist: Songs. RRCD 003. (2024)
Score available at MusicFinland
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Fem dikter av Jarl Hemmer (2015)
mezzo-soprano and piano
Poems by Jarl Hemmer (in Swedish)
I. På nattgammal is, II. Den främmande fågeln, III. Akvarell, IV. Bön, V. Över dunklet.
Duration: 20'
FP Marika Kivinen & Asta Onnila, Helsinki 22.5.2016
Recording: Marika Kivinen & Jenna Ristilä. Christian Holmqvist: Songs. RRCD 003. (2024)
Score available at MusicFinland
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Denna stora tomhet (2017)
song cycle for tenor and piano
Poems by Henry Parland (in Swedish)
I Ingenstansifrån, II. Vid mina fingrar, III .Varifrån fan, IV. Den stora Dagenefter, V. Denna stora tomhet.
Duration: 12'
FP Petteri Loukio & Eeva Tapanen, Helsinki 25.2.2024
Recording: Petteri Loukio & Eeva Tapanen. Christian Holmqvist: Songs. RRCD 003. (2024)
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På moln stod du! (2017)
bass-baritone (or bass) and piano
Poem by J. J. Wecksell (in Swedish)
Duration: 6´
Score available at MusicFinland
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I Have Desired To Go (2020)
medium voice and piano
Poem by Gerard Manley Hopkins (in English)
Duration: 2'30''
FP Marika Kivinen & Jenna Ristilä, Kustavi 17.7.2022
Recording: Marika Kivinen & Jenna Ristilä. Christian Holmqvist: Songs. RRCD 003. (2024)
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Pain (2022)
baritone and piano
Poem by Ivor Gurney (in English)
Duration: 4'
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La tragedia é commedia (2022-23)
tenor and piano
Poem by Petteri Loukio (in Italian)
Duration: 5'30''
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Barkarola (2024)
tenor and piano
Poem by Friedrich Nietzsche (in German)
Duration: 5'
FP in preparation
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Choral Works
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O min luta! (2005//2017)
male choir
Poem by Zacharias Topelius (in Swedish)
Commissioned by the male choir Frihetsbröderna
Duration: 2’50’'
FP (first version) Frihetsbröderna, Markus Nordström, Helsinki 5.12.2005
Score available at MusicFinland
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Dickinson Suite (2013)
mixed choir
Poems by Emily Dickinson (in English)
1. I reason, earth is short, 2. I never felt at home below, 3. I have no life but this, 4. ”Heavenly Father”, take to thee, 5. Under the light yet under, 6. Though the great waters sleep
Duration: 13'
Score available at MusicFinland
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Nocturne (2014)
male choir
Poem by Edith Södergran (in Swedish)
Commissioned by the male choir Frihetsbröderna
Duration: 3'50''
FP: Frihetsbröderna, John Emanuelsson, Helsinki 11.4.2015
Score available at MusicFinland
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Oktober (2018)
male choir
Poem by Kurt Högnäs (in Swedish)
Duration: 2'30''
FP: Kristinestads Manskör, Anders Teir, Kristinestad 17.11.2018
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Snö och månljus (2020)
male choir
Poem by Jarl Hemmer (in Swedish)
Third prize in The Runebergskören BSB's Choral Composition Contest 2021
Duration 3'30''
FP: Runebergskören BSB, Teppo Salakka, Porvoo 7.10.2023
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Vier Gedichte von Georg Trakl (2021)
mixed choir
1. Die Sonne, 2. Der Schatten, 3. Nachtlied, 4. Einklang
Poems by Georg Trakl (in German)
Duration: 12'
FP Tampere Cappella, Markus Yli-Jokipii, Tampere 17.9.2022
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Moments of Vision (2022)
male choir
Poem by Thomas Hardy (in English)
Duration 4'
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Göken och näktergalen (2025)
a fable for male choir
Poem by Bengt Lidner (in Swedish)
Commissioned by the male choir Frihetsbröderna​
F​P Frihetsbröderna, Jan C. Westerlund, Helsinki 25.10.2025
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Arrangements, transcriptions
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Cotton Fields
Huddie Ledbetters song arranged for male choir (2018)
Commissioned by the male choir Frihetsbröderna
Duration: 2´
FP: The male choir Frihetsbröderna, Jan C. Westerlund, Espoo 20.10.2018
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Trauerzug
transcription for orchestra of Robert Schumann's Nachtstück op 23:1 (2021)
2233/4231/03/strings
Duration: 6´
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Six Finnish Folks Songs
arranged for medium voice and piano (2025)
Duration: 13´
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