Helmer Alexandersson

Karl Helmer Alexandersson (16 November 1886 – 24 December 1927), was a Swedish composer and violinist. He was the brother of the actress Karin Alexandersson.

Biography Alexandersson was born in Stockholm, where he attended the Royal College of Music before studying the violin under Johan Lindberg, counterpoint under Johan Lindegren, and instrumentation under Jean Paul Ertel in Berlin. His musical career had a promising beginning: he received several scholarships, and he was commissioned to write the official march of the Olympic Games in Stockholm 1912. His second symphony, premièred by George Schnéevoigt in 1919, was a success. After writing orchestral music for several Swedish films he devoted more of his time to writing music for silent films, and he played in person, along with, among others, Hilding Rosenberg in the orchestra pit at the Red Mill cinema in Stockholm. He died in poverty in 1927, and the funeral was funded by the city.

Compositions Film music 1919 – Herr Arnes pengar 1923 – "Gunnar Hedes saga" 1925 – Ingmarsarvet Arrangement 1921 – "Värmlänningarna" Orchestral Music 1910 – Overture in C Minor 1919 – Symphony No. 2 in G Minor

Recordings Overture, Symphony No. 2, Uppsala Kammarorkester, conducted by Paul Mägi, Sterling 2008.