RANGSTROM, TURE  

In common with many Swedish composers of his era, Ture Rangström had to take other employment to fund that part of his life. For RangstrOm this income came as a music critic, singing teacher, and, later in life, as a conductor. He did spend some time studying with Pfitzner in Berlin, and German romanticism had a strong influence on his music. His major inspiration, however, came from Nielsen and Sibelius. He was not ignorant or unresponsive to the music that was evolving during his lifetime, but he retained melody as the basis of his music. From opera to instrumental music, his output was large and varied, his dramatic songs being particularly outstanding. He did not live a long life, but left a sizeable catalogue of music.