Ruth Almén

Ruth Sofia Almén (pen name Runar Alm; 24 September 1870 in Solberga rectory, Bohuslän – 19 November 1945 in Johanneberg, Gothenburg), was a Swedish composer, pianist, teacher, author and poet. She published a number of compositions, including nine songs, piano and violin sonatas, and a concerto for piano and orchestra. She also published a collection of poetry, journal articles, and children's stories.

Biography

Almén was born in Kålltorp, Bohuslän on 24 September 1870.[1] Her father was a vicar.[1] Her younger brother was author Sigge Almén.[1] She studied counterpoint with Wilhelm Stenhammar in Gothenburg, harmony with Gustaf Hägg in Stockholm, composition with Franz Neruda and Knud Jeppesen in Copenhagen, and instrumentation with Karl Westermeyer in Berlin.[2] She also studied piano with Richard Andersson in Stockholm, Knut Bäck in Gothenburg, Heinrich Barth in Berlin, and Robert Lortat in Paris.[2] Almén was active as a musical teacher in Gothenburg.[2][1]

In addition to her playing and teaching music, Almén was also a writer and poet.[3] She published a collection of poems in 1895, Vid synranden, under the name Runar Alm, a pseudonym she continued to use until 1904. Almén also published children's stories and articles.[3]

Almén died in Gothenburg in 1945.[3]

Musical work

Almén's compositions are in the late romantic style, and include two piano sonatas, a violin sonata, piano pieces and nine songs, as well as a concerto for piano and orchestra.[2][1] Her piano sonata op. 2, violin sonata and a group of songs were performed in the Salle Pleyel in Paris on 8 June 1921, and at the Gothenburg Concert Hall on January 20, 1922.[1]

  • Sonata op. 1
  • Sonata op. 2
  • Violinsonat a-moll op 3
  • Preludium und Sarabande für Klavier op. 4
  • Drei Praeludien für Klavier Op. 5
  • Pianokonsert (Pianoconcert)

References

  1. ^ a b c d e f "Levande musikarv - Ruth Almén". www.levandemusikarv.se. Retrieved 30 April 2025.
  2. ^ a b c d Cohen, Aaron I. (1987). International Encyclopedia of Women Composers (2nd ed.). South Africa: Books & Music (USA). p. 15. ISBN 0-9617485-0-8.
  3. ^ a b c "skbl.se - Ruth Sofia Almén". skbl.se. Retrieved 30 April 2025.

Further reading

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