A Dictionary of Music and Musicians/Wennerberg, Gunnar

WENNERBERG, Gunnar, a Swedish poet and composer, born 1817, in Lidköping, and educated at the Upsala university. For several years past he has been a member of the Swedish legislature. As a musician he was entirely self-taught, and he published his first composition 'Frihetssänger' (Songs of Freedom), in 1847. This was followed by several works of which the best known is 'Gluntarne' (recollections of student life in Upsala). He subsequently wrote an oratorio entitled 'The Birth of Christ'; and set the 'Psalms of David' in a simple and melodious form for soli and chorus with accompaniment. These Psalms are universally popular in Sweden, and they are sung both in North Germany and Scotland.

[ A. H. W. ]