Ivo Nilsson (1966) is a swedish composer, who made his debute with an Octet performed by Ensemble l´Itineraire at Radio France in 1989. Ever since his music has been performed at festivals like La Biennale di Venezia, Chiffren, EMUfest, Enescu festival, Huddersfield Contemporary Music festival, Ilhom, Musica, New York City Electroacoustical Music Festival, Roaring Hoofs, 2 Days and 2 Nights, Sonorities, Spazio Musica, Spectra, Time of music, Ultima, Warsaw Automn and the ISCM World Music Days in Hong-Kong and Zagreb.
Ivo is also known and appreciated for working interdisciplinary and experimental. Recently he composed the music for an adaption into a scenic earplay of Anne Carsons text Red Doc that was premiered at Accelerator in Stockholm in February 2023. The literary references are many in Ivo Nilssons impressive list of compositions inspired by texts from for instance Italo Calvino and Nelly Sachs. In his music Ivo is elaborating temporal qualities and examines the movement from the tiny to the vast – working with tensions between the intimate moment and the distance.
Ivo Nilsson was the artistic director of Stockholm New Music festival 2003 and 2005, and he is also one of the artistic directors of Kontinent Dalsland, a new international festival for contemporary music set in Dalsland, Sweden.
He is chairman of KammarensebleN and he was elected member of the Royal Swedish Academy of Music in 2017. He is a much appreciated lecturer and holder of master classes all over the world. Member of the Swedish Society of Composers since 1992.
Audio / Video
Selected works
Orchestra
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Year of composition: 2009
Instrumentation: Orchestra 2222-221-Timp.1 perc-Strings
Duration: 8´
Date of first performance: 2009-09-30
Place of first performance: Teatro alle Tese, La Biennale di Venezia
Ensemble: Orchestra di Padova e del Veneto, cond. Renato Rivolta
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Composed together with Jonny Axelsson.
Year of composition: 2007
Instrumentation: trombone, percussion & string orchestra
Duration: 25´
Date of first performance: 2007-09-27
Place of first performance: Växjö, Konserthuset
Ensemble: Ivo Nilsson, Jonny Axelsson, Musica Vitae, cond Michael Bartosch
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Year of composition: 2004
Instrumentation: orchestra: -- 3*3*4*3* 4321 12 1 str, pf
Duration: 10´
Date of first performance: 2004-10-22
Place of first performance: Venezia, Teatro Malibran (48. festival internazionale di musica contemporanea)
Ensemble: Orchestra dell' Arena di Verona, dir Paul Manns
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Year of composition: 1996
Instrumentation: Wind orchestra -- 3*3*4*3* 4321 12 1 str, pf
Duration: 17´
Date of first performance: 1996-10-22
Place of first performance: Stockholm New Music, Berwaldhallen
Ensemble: Stockholms blåsarsymfoniker, dir Jin Wang
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Year of comp: 2002-2003
Instrumentation: p orchestre de flûtes -- 4-8-4-4-4
Duration: 10´
Premiered: 2003-12-04
Place: Paris, Salle Cortot
Performers: Orchestre de Flûtes Francais, dir André Chini
Music Drama
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Year of composition: 2022-23
Instrumentation: 6 actors + bass clarinet, trombone, theorbo/guitar, harp, contrabass
Duration: Total duration 1 hour, 56 min. Instrumental version 47”
Date of first performance: 2023-02-03
Place of first performance: Accelerator, Stockholm
Listen: https://acceleratorsu.art/evenemang/radioart-red-doc/
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Year of composition: 2013-14
Instrumentation: countertenor, recorders/barockoboe/oboe da caccia, theorbo/oud, cembalo/organ, violin, viola da gamba
Duration: Flexible, total duration 45´
Date of first performance: 2014
Place of first performance: Medelhavsmuseet, Stockholm
Ensemble: Ensemble Lipparella with the countertenor Mikael Bellini
Review: In Swedish
Chambre ensemble / Conducted
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Text: Nelly Sachs
Year of composition: 2015-19
Instrumentation: Soprano, fl, clar, piano, vln, vlc
Duration: 16´
Date of first performance: 2019-09-27
Place of first performance: Forum för levande histora, Stockholm
Ensemble: Ensemble MA, soprano. Alexandra Büchel, cond. Staffan Larson
CD: https://bluemusicgroup.bandcamp.com/album/lunaria
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Year of composition: 2016
Instrumentation: fl, sax, piano, violin, cello, feedback conducting
Duration: 10´
Date of first performance: 2016-06-28
Place of first performance: Centro Galego de Arte Contemporanea, Santiago di Compostela, Spain
Ensemble: Vertixe Sonora, cond. Ramón Souto
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Year of composition: 2014-2015
Instrumentation: fl, cl, tbn, piano, vln, vla, vlc, cb
Duration: 8´
Date of first performance: 2015-01-30
Place of first performance: CBSO Centre, Birmingham
Ensemble: Birmingham Contemporary Music Group. Cond. Franck Ollu
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Subtile: Double concerto for viola, bassoon and 9 instruments
Year of composition: 2011-2012
Instrumentation: fl, cl, bsn, trp, hrn, piano, 2vln, vla, vlc, cb
Duration: 16´
Date of first performance: 2012-02-10
Place of first performance: Chiffren festival, Kiel
Ensemble: KammarensembleN, Cond. Franck Ollu
CD: https://bluemusicgroup.bandcamp.com/album/4
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Year of composition: 2010
Instrumentation:
Voices: 3 sopranos,3 altos, tenor, baritone, bass.
Instruments: fl, cl, trp, hrp, vibr, mar, vln, vlc, cbDuration: 23´
Date of first performance: 2010-10-08
Place of first performance: Connect festival, Palladium, Malmö
Ensemble: Vokalharmonin & KammarensembleN
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Year of comp: 2007-08
Instrumentation: Soprano, flute, clarinet, violin, cello and bass cimbalon (alt. piano)
Duration: 15´
Premiered: 2008-02-23
Place: Musikmuseet, Stockholm
Performers: Ensemble MA, soprano Ibba Andersson, conductor Staffan Larson
CD: https://bluemusicgroup.bandcamp.com/album/lunaria
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Year of comp: 2005
Duration: 10´
Instrumentation: F wind quintet, string quartet & cb
Premiered: 2005-07-04
Place: Zagreb, Croatia
Performers: Cantus, dir Berislav Sipus
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Text: Duchamp, Marcel
Language: French
Year of comp: 2001
Instrumentation: F spoken voice and chamber ensemble -- 1111 1110 01 1 str, pf
Duration: 60´
Premiered: 2001-11-10
Place: Kulturhuset, Stockholm
Performers: KammarensembleN, dir B Tommy Andersson
Rotorelief is recorded on the SFZ records cd SFZ 1006.
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Year of comp: 2001
Instrumentation: chamber ensemble -- 1111 1110 01 1 str, pf
Duration: 15´
Premiered: 2003
Place: Warsaw automn, Polish Radio
Performers: KammarensembleN, dir Renato Rivolta
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Year of composition: 1993-1994
Instrumentation: F Kammerensemble -- 1*1*1*0 1110 10 0 2vl, vla, vlc, cb, sax
Duration: 12´
Year of publication: 2000
Date of first performance: 1994-04-08
Place of first performance: Stockholm, Kulturhuset
Ensemble: KammarensembleN, dir B Tommy Andersson
Totentanz is recorded on the Phono Suecia cd PSCD 120.
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Year of comp: 1991
Instrumentation: F chamber ensemble -- ob, cl, fag, bar-sax, tr, trb, vl, vla, vlc, cb, 2perc, live-elektronik
Duration: 10´
Premiered: 1991-12-07
Place: Stockholm, Radiohuset
Performers: KammarensembleN, dir Ansgar Krook
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Year of comp: 1989-1991
Instrumentation: fl/a-fl, ob/cor i, s-sax/a-sax, a-trb/t-trb, slagverk, piano, viola/violin
Duration: 15´
Premiered: 1990-05-29
Place: Stockholm, Musikaliska Akademien
Performers: Magnus Irving, Helén Jahren, Pierre-Stephane Meugé, Ivo Nilsson, Marcus Leoson, Love Derwinger, Fredrik Anderberg, dir Jonas Dominique
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Year of comp: 1988
Instrumentation: pour hautbois, saxophone, trompette, harpe et quatuor à cordes
Duration: 9´
Premiered: 1989-03-07
Place: Paris, Radio France
Performers: Ensemble L'Itinéraire
Chambre ensemble without conductor
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Year of composition: 2012-13
Instrumentation: Saxophone, Trombone, Guitar, Cimbalom, Piano, Vibraphone, Violin & Cello
Duration: 15´
Date of first performance: 2013-10-03
Place: Lippes Concert Hall in Slee Hall, Buffalo, USA
Performers: Ensemble Son & Either/Or
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Year of comp: 2004
Instrumentation: P quintetto di fiati -- fl, ob, cl, cor, fag
Duration: 9'
Premiered: 2004-10-10
Place: Ljubljana, Slovenian Radio
Performers: Slowind
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Year of comp: 2002
Instrumentation: F kammarensemble -- fl, ob, cl, perc, pf, vl, vla, vlc
Duration: 5'
Premiered: 2003-11-30
Place: Freiburg, SWR
Performers: Ensemble Recherche
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Year of composition: 2017-18
Instrumentation: Mezzosoprano, trombone, 3 percussion, 2 violins, cello
Duration: 28´
Date of first performance: 2018-12-01
Place of first performance: Göteborgs Konshall, Gothenburg
Ensemble: DuoNow: UmeDuo, Duo Ego, Duo Gelland, Axelsson & Nilsson-Duo
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Year of composition: 2017-18
Instrumentation: cello & percussion
Duration: 12´
Date of first performance: 2018-03-09
Place of first performance: Grünewaldsalen, Konserthuset, Stockholm
Ensemble: UmeDuo
CD: NEOS 12002
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Year of composition: 2017-18
Instrumentation: Mezzosoprano & percussion
Duration: 15´
Date of first performance: 2018-12-01
Place of first performance: Göteborgs Konsthall, Gothenburg
Ensemble: DuoEgo
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Year of composition: 2017-18
Instrumentation: Violin duo
Duration: 15´
Date of first performance: 2018-12-01
Place of first performance: Göteborgs Konsthall, Gothenburg
Ensemble: Duo Gelland
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Year of composition: 2017-18
Instrumentation: trombone & percussion
Duration: 15´
Date of first performance: 2018-12-01
Place of first performance: Göteborgs Konsthall, Gothenburg
Ensemble: Axelsson & Nilsson-Duo
Chamber music
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Year of composition: 2019
Instrumentation: Clarinet, Piano, Percussion, Violin
Duration: 11´
Date of first performance: 2019-10-03
Place: Zepernick, St. Annen kirche, Berlin
Performers: Kwartludium
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Year of composition: 2021
Instrumentation: Clarinet, Piano
Duration: 11´
Date of first performance: 2022-03-19
Place: Teater Giljotin, Svensk Musikvår
Performers: Stefan Harg, Katarina Harg
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Year of composition: 2020
Instrumentation: Horn & Trombone
Duration: 11´
Date of first performance: 2020-03-19
Place: Musikens Hus, Katrineholm
Performers: Sören Hermansson, Ivo Nilsson
Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kFO6LXwnI1Y
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Year of composition: 2016
Instrumentation: Oboe, Trombone, Violoncello
Duration: 15'30
Commissioned by: Das Orchester with support from the Swedish Arts Council
Date of first performance: 2017-02-08
Place of first performance: Hedengrens Bokhandel, Stockholm
Ensemble: Das Orchester
Controra is recorded on the label Blue Music Group.
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Year of composition: 2020
Instrumentation: HARP solo
Duration: 12´
Date of first performance: 2020-03-20
Place: Studio Lederman, Svensk Musikvår
Performers: Laura Stephenson
Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cxpZvUKpoHw
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Year of composition: 2016
Instrumentation: Trombone, electronics and video
Duration: 11'
Date of first performance: 2016-11-22
Place of first performance: Alessandria, Conservatorio Antonio Vivaldi
Ensemble: Ivo Nilsson
Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HyRWZPcGlSM&feature=youtu.be&t=1174
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Year of composition: 2014-15
Instrumentation: Percussion, Trombone, Electronics and Video
Duration: 15'30
Date of first performance: 2015-04-24
Place of first performance: 3:e våningen, Gothenburg
Ensemble: Axelsson & Nilsson-Duo
Video: https://vimeo.com/126478362
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Year of composition: 2020
Instrumentation: Percussion, Trombone
Duration: 6´
Date of first performance: 2020-05-14
Place of first performance: Sigtuna stiftelsen
Ensemble: Axelsson & Nilsson-Duo
Video: https://vimeo.com/126478362
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Year of composition: 2020
Instrumentation: clarinet and video
Duration: 9'
Date of first performance: 2022-12-04
Place of first performance: Festival di Musica Contemporanea di Bolzano
Ensemble: Roberta Gottardi
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Year of composition: 2008-09
Instrumentation: alto flute and electronics
Duration: 15'
Date of first performance: 2009-07-17
Place of first performance: Berlin, COMA Centre for opinions in music and arts
Ensemble: Erik Drescher
Video: https://vimeo.com/112961112
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Year of composition: 2008
Instrumentation: soprano,clarinet, contrabassoon, bass saxophone,trumpet, piano, vibraphone, marimba,violin, viola, cello, doublebass
Duration: 4´
Date of first performance: 2008-10-11
Place of first performance: Moderna Museet, Stockholm
Ensemble: KammarensembleN
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Year of composition: 2008
Instrumentation: contrabassoon, bass saxophone, marimba, viola
Duration: 4´
Date of first performance: 2008-10-11
Place of first performance: Moderna Museet, Stockholm
Ensemble: KammarensembleN
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Year of composition: 2008
Instrumentation: soprano, trumpet, piano, doublebass
Duration: 4´
Date of first performance: 2008-10-11
Place of first performance: Moderna Museet, Stockholm
Ensemble: KammarensembleN
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Year of composition: 2008
Instrumentation: clarinet, vibraphone, violin, cello
Date of first performance: 2008-10-11
Place of first performance: Moderna Museet, Stockholm
Ensemble: KammarensembleN
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Year of composition: 2008
Instrumentation: percussion duo
Duration: 12´
Date of first performance: 2008-09-26
Place of first performance: Pusterviksteatern, Gothenburg
Ensemble: Amund Sjölie Sveen, Yi-Ping Yang
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Year of composition: 2007
Instrumentation: per sestetto di percussionisti
Duration: 14'
Date of first performance: 2009-10-03
Place of first performance: ISCM World New Music Days, Artisten Göteborg
Ensemble: Kroumata
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Year of composition: 2006
Instrumentation: accordion and double-bass
Duration: 10´
Date of first performance: 2006-11-26
Place of first performance: Kulturbahnhof Eller
Ensemble: Slide Show Secret
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Year of comp: 2005
Instrumentation: p bassoon and base cimbalon
Duration: 13´
Premiered: Recording released June 2006
Performers: Knut Sönstevold, Jonny Axelsson
Diabas is recorded on the Phono Suecia cd PSCD 164.
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Year of comp: 2003
Instrumentation: p sassofono tenore e trombone
Duration: 12´
Premiered: 2003-10-30
Place: Rome, Hungarian Academy (Nuovi Spazi Musicali)
Performers: Jörgen Pettersson, Ivo Nilsson
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Year of comp: 1999-2000
Instrumentation: f teorb
Duration: 12´
Premiered: 2000-04-30
Place: Stockholm, Musikmuseet
Performers: Peter Söderberg
Luta is recorded on the Phono Suecia cd PSCD 186.
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Year of comp: 1999
Instrumentation: f slagverk
Duration: 11
Premiered: 2000-04-30
Place: Stockholm, Musikmuseet
Performers: Jonny Axelsson
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Year of comp: 1999
Instrumentation: p clarinetto
Duration: 10´
Premiered: 1999-10-02
Place: Stockholm, Moderna museet
Performers: Staffan Mårtensson
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Year of comp: 1999
Instrumentation: p percussione e trombone
Duration: 14´
Premiered: 1999
Place: Stockholm, Musikmuseet
Performers: Jonny Axelsson, Ivo Nilsson
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Year of comp: 1999
Instrumentation: f trombon
Duration: 9´
Premiered: 2000
Place: Odessa, 2 Days & 2 Nights
Performer: Ivo Nilsson
Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HyRWZPcGlSM&feature=youtu.be&t=24
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Year of comp: 1999
Instrumentation: f flöjt/picc/a-fl, slagverk, orgel
Duration: 9´
Premiered: 1999-09-11
Place: Växjö domkyrka
Performers: Michael Pettersson, Daniel Berg, Bengt Tribukait
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Year of comp: 1998
Instrumentation: p chitarra, vibrafono e trombone
Premiered: 1998-08-23
Place: Kilkenny Arts Week
Performers: Magnus Andersson, Jonny Axelsson, Ivo Nilsson
Tre equale is recorded on the Nosag Records cd NOSAGCD 117.
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Year of comp: 1997
Instrumentation: f percussion and trombone
Duration: 12`
Premiered: 1998-05-20
Place: Gent, Stichting Logos
Performers: Ivo Nilsson, Jonny Axelsson
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Year of composition: 1996
Instrumentation: para dos pianos
Duration: 11´
Year of publication: 1999-03-31
Place of first performance: Leipzig, Gewandhaus
Ensemble: Mats Persson, Kristine Scholz
“¿Lo mismo?” is recorded on the Phono Suecia cd PSCD 106.
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Year of comp: 1989/1991
Instrumentation: f embouchure and live-electronics
Duration: 7´30”
Premiered: 1991-12-07
Place: Stockholm, Radiohuset
Performers: Ivo Nilsson
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Year of comp: 1988/1992
Instrumentation: f piano
Duration: 6´
Premiered: 1990-05-29
Place: Riddarhuset, Stockholm
Performers: Love Derwinger
“Puls” is recorded on the Daphne records cd DAPHNECD 1012.
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Year of comp: 1988/1991
Instrumentation: f cello solo
Duration: 7´
Premiered: 1992-01-25
Place: Stockholm, Mälargalleriet
Performers: Åsa Åkerberg
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Year of comp: 1994-1995
Instrumentation: p quartetto di flauti dolci (a,2t,b/s)
Duration: 7´
Premiered: 1996-08-22
Place: Stockholm, Waldemarsudde
Performers: Svenska blockflöjtskvartetten