Edvin Kallstenius (born in Filipstad 29 August 1881, died Stocksund, Stockholm 22 November 1967) was a Swedish composer and librarian.[1] He arranged the traditional folk tune used as the de facto national anthem of Sweden, Du gamla, Du fria.[2]
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Kallstenius studied natural sciences at the Lunds universitet, then music at the Leipzig Conservatory under Stephan Krehl from 1904-1907. As music librarian at Swedish Radio from 1928-46 he made a significant contribution in the field of music administration in Sweden.[3]
He also served on the Board of the Society of Swedish Composers from 1933-1961 (Treasurer 1933-1943) and was on the board of the Swedish Performing Rights Society from 1932-1957.[1]
In addition to arranging Du gamla, Du fria, his work includes five symphonies and eight string quartets. He also published an annotated catalogue of Swedish orchestral works.[4]
Kallstenius achieved an individual style and avoided using only tonal language by devising intense melodies reinforced with imaginative harmony.[1] He declared that his "musical religion is called harmonics – everything else is secondary" and from this basis he worked out his 'meticulously declamed themes'.[3] Although in later works he employed his own personal interpretation of serial style he also composed charming versions of older Swedish music.[3]