Erik Fordell

Erik Fritiof Fordell was born 02 July 1917 in Kokkola (Finland). He studied music at the Helsinki Institute of Church Music and the Sibelius Academy. His teachers included Aarre Merikanto, Bengt Carlson, Eino Linnala and Leo Funtek.

Erik Fordell later worked as a teacher at the Kokkola Folk School and the Kokkola Workers' School. He was also active as a choral conductor.

Erik Fordell died on 21 December 1981 in Kaarlela, today part of Kokkola (Finland).

Erik Fordell produced an enormous output of compositions through his lifetime. There are 45 symphonies, several concertos (2 for violin), 20 string quartets, numerous chamber compositions and about 400 choral and solo songs.

The autograph manuscript in my possession is a composition for string orchestra and timpani. The work is titled "Vedenhaltija (Sjörået)" and refers to the Sjörået, which is a mystical creature from the lake in Scandinavian folklore comparable to the nymphs in Greek mythology. It consists of the three movements "I. Allegretto - poco agitato; II. Andante tranquillo; III. Allegro appassionato" and is dated at the end "7.5.48".

In modern work lists of Erik Fordell the op.37 curiously refers to the Symphony No.11 from 1957. But it seems that Erik Fordell withdrew earlier compositions, his work catalogue starts with an op.1 from around 1950.