CHRISTIANHOLMQVIST

Christian Holmqvist is a musical pluralist. As a trained musicologist he knows his music history, and refers to different traits in different epochs in both obvious and more subtle ways. He choose his tools in consideration of what he wants to express in the work at hand.

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Holmqvist's music combines a romantic emotionalism with classical structures and neoclassical pulsations. One may also find elements borrowed from the modern tradition, and jazz and popular music. Recurring features are a juxtaposition of melodic lyricism and dramatic outbursts. 

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Holmqvist acknowledge especially Beethoven, Schumann, Brahms, Mahler, Debussy, Scriabin, Shostakovich, Einar Englund and Einojuhani Rautavaara as important to his development as a composer.

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Holmqvist is mainly known for his many songs for voice and piano and has jokingly been called "The Finnish Hugo Wolf". He has also written well-received works for amateur choir. Holmqvist has composed 6 string quartets, a violin sonata and other chamber music, as well as music for solo piano including 2 sonatinas. Of orchestral works may be mentioned the Divertimento for wind band and the Petite Suite Baroque for strings. 

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