Eklund's artistic temperament is composed of aggressively charged power and a plaintive introspective spirit. The humor is equally obvious - but it is not a clear-cut feature either: it oscillates between the playful burlesque and more complicated grotesque outbursts. Technically, Eklund predominantly worked with clear, simple rhythms and a far-reaching melodic design.
Born on 1 July 1927 in Sandviken, died on 8 March 1999 in Stockholm. Studies at the Academy of Music in Stockholm 1947-1952. Organ for Alf Linder, piano for Sven Brandel. Counterpoint student of Åke Udden and as a composition teacher Eklund had Lars-Erik Larsson. During these years, Eklund also managed to train in conducting for Tor Mann. Abroad, composition studies continued in Berlin for Ernst Pepping. Alongside his work as a composer, to which he always devoted all his energies, he also acquired a profile as an educator. 1961-1967 theory teacher at Stockholms Borgarskola. In 1964 he joined the Stockholm Academy of Music, where he taught harmony and counterpoint. 1954-1956 Eklund enjoyed the state's composer scholarship.
Eklund strove partly for independent clarity in the individual parts, and partly to achieve full substance in the multi-part contrapuntal movements. If it must be said that his musical imagination is convincing both when he composes effortlessly cheerful pieces and when he carefully builds up the music into larger forms - then he can reach a deep seriousness that makes one have to regard him as a "confessional artist" of inner necessity.
Hans-Gunnar Peterson/Swedish MIC
