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. 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. In some works may be heard influences of popular music and jazz. As a trained musicologist he knows his music history, and refers to different traits in different epochs in both obvious and more subtle ways. 

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Holmqvist is mainly known for his many vocal works (song cycles and choral works) and has been called "The Finnish Hugo Wolf". But he has also written 6 string quartets, a violin sonata and other chamber music, as also music for solo piano including 2 sonatinas and the piece The September Lyre. Of orchestral works may be mentioned the Divertimento for wind band and the Petite Suite Baroque for strings. 

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