Stenhammar, Wilhelm 02/07/1871 - 11/20/1927

Wilhelm Stenhammar studied piano, organ and composition in Stockholm from 1887 to 1892. He debuted as a pianist in 1892. Starting in the autumn of that year he began to study piano in Berlin. He completed his studies the following year. From then on, Stenhammar was an international concert pianist. He frequently appeared with violinist Tor Aulin or as part of a quartet. In October of 1897 he made his first appearance as a conductor. He continued conducting and composing for the rest of his life. In 1900 and 1901, Stenhammar was the director of the Royal Opera in Stockholm. I n 1907 he became the director of the newly-founded Gothenburg Symphony Orchestra. He held that position until 1922. In 1916 he received an honorary doctorate from the University of Gothenburg. From 1923 to 1925 he was once again the director of the Royal Opera. Stenhammar was a highly-regarded personality in Scandinavian music and was friends with many well-known musicians.