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John Jacobsson (1835-1909) achieves the distinction of being a prolific composer, at one time well known in his native country, who rates not at single mention in English language books on music history.
The son of a Jewish textile merchant in Stockholm, Jacobsson showed musical talent in early childhood. In order to combine his musical aspirations with a solid career, he worked in and later owned a music shop and piano dealership, which remained his principal employment for most of his life. In addition, he was organist and choir director at the synagogue in Stockholm. His training in composition and organ playing was by means of private lessons with various teachers, including occasional study abroad.
His compositions, many of which appeared in print and on concert programmes during his lifetime, covered orchestral, choral and chamber music, ballet, operetta and music for Royal occasions. He is perhaps best known for his songs - some 130 in number - for solo voice and piano. Most of his music is still preserved in the Library of the Royal Academy of Music in Stockholm.
Tre Stycken for clarinet, viola and piano seems to be the only work of Jacobsson's which is currently published. The three movements - Phantasiestück, Lyrisches Intermezzo and Humoreske - display his basic orientation towards the German Romantic style, and in particular the strong influence of Schumann in the piano writing as well as in the instrumentation. Echoes of Grieg and other Nordic composers can also be detected, along with an engaging quirkiness which adds to the genial appeal of the music.
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