Simon Söfelde (born 23 November 1988 in Gothenburg) is a Swedish composer., see page 10. and musician,, "In company. Kalle Stenbäcken and Simon Söfelde (here flanking Albin Lee Meldau) play together in numerous contexts." active in both art music "With music performed in countries like England, Austria, Germany, Iceland, Faroe Islands, China, USA, Kurdistan and of course Sweden, Simon can proudly present himself as an international composer and musician." and popular music genres.
Biography
Söfelde pursued his studies in composition at the Gotland School of Music Composition and the Malmö Academy of Music, where he was mentored by composers such as Luca Francesconi, Bent Sørensen, Rolf Martinsson, and Hans Gefors. He furthered his education at the University of Music and Performing Arts in Vienna, studying under Detlev Müller-Siemens.
Career
Söfelde's compositional work includes a diverse range of genres, from chamber music to film scores. His compositions have been performed internationally by orchestras and ensembles such as the Brussels Philharmonic, the Malmö Symphony Orchestra, Ensemble mise-en (US), CHROMA (UK), the Béla Quartet (FR), the Kreutzer Quartet"This marks the final workshop before the quartet arrive with me in November for CONNECT Festival 2011. Today I workshoppped developing and sketch works by David Riebe, Simon Söfelde..." and the Norrköping Symphony Orchestra., "Simon Söfelde was born in 1988 in Gothenburg and has, in addition to studying at the Malmö Academy of Music, studied composition at the University of Music and Performing Arts in Vienna and at Gotland School of Composers. His music has been performed both in Sweden and internationally. In Fugato, he has, in his own words, 'sought to find new or “unusual" connections between completely ordinary fundamental musical properties, such as pauses, motifs, and timbre.'" The Royal Swedish Academy of Music awarded him the Carin Malmlöf-Forsslings Composers Prize 2026, as well as the Christ Johnson Prize 2025 presented by His Majesty the King for the orchestral work Fugato. Additionally, he has a substantial background as an arranger,, "– The Winner Takes It All. A big thank you to SVT for a magical evening, Simon Söfelde who arranged the music, and of course, ABBA! Thank you for the music!!!" writes Albin Lee Meldau after the concert on Instagram." producer, and musical director, collaborating with artists like Albin Lee Meldau,"Together with a band consisting of Kalle Stenbäcken (piano), Simon Söfelde (guitar), and Samuel Runsteen (strings and bass), Albin Lee Meldau will brighten up the December darkness and offer this year’s warmest and most atmospheric Christmas coziness." Arvid Nero,"These two singles have been created by Arvid in collaboration with the producer and musician Simon Söfelde, who has also arranged and mixed the songs." and Elin Ruth Sigvardsson
As a performer he has appeared on international stages, including Tiny Desk,https://www.npr.org/2017/07/20/538090328/albin-lee-meldau-tiny-desk-concert, "Musicians Albin Lee Meldau (vocals, guitar); Kalle Stenbäcken (keys, drums); Simon Andermo (bass, auxiliary percussion); Simon Söfelde (drums)"< SXSW,, "...'Simon Söfelde in the band. They soaked up every second. Afterwards, they jumped to their feet and looked like they wanted to applaud all night. 'So he's from Sweden...?' one of them asked. 'Yep!' I replied a bit casually, Texas-style. 'From Gothenburg!" Bonnaroo Music and Arts, Brooklyn Steel, the O2 Arena, Dreamland (UK), the Reeperbahn Festival, the Roskilde Festival and Funkhaus Berlin. In Sweden he has performed at some of the country's biggest venues such as Gröna Lund, Liseberg,, "On stage, he has his childhood companion, Kalle Stenbäcken, on keyboards, friends Arvid Nero and Simon Söfelde on guitars, along with the rhythm section Gibril Cham (drums) and Simon Andermo (bass)." Tele2 Arena, Scandinavium and Peace and Love music festival. He has also appeared multiple times on television and radio, including Nyhetsmorgon, Inas Nacht with Ina Müller, and BBC2
Selected works
Orchestral works
Minnenas Skeende (2019) for symphony orchestra Åtta gester (Eight Gestures) (2018) for wind orchestra Fugato (2015) for symphony orchestra (revised in 2017, 2019, 2020) Six Movements for Orchestra (2014) for symphony orchestra Slitningar (2014) for string orchestra Overture (2012) for symphony orchestra Wind Orchestra Piece (2009)
Chamber music
Gycklarmusik 17 (Passacaglia) (2022) for violin and piano Gycklarmusik 15 (Joker Music) (2021) for viola da gamba Fanfar (2018) for ensemble Gycklarmusik 16 (Joker Music) (2018) for string quartet Correspondences (2018), "It is pleasing to note that the sixth edition maintains the style and can well measure up to previous years (on Saturday, I was unable to attend due to another review assignment, and therefore, unfortunately, could not hear Simon Söfelde's 'World Premiere for Piano Quartet')." for string quartet and piano Lika (2018) for guitar and accordion Gycklarmusik 11–14 (Joker Music) (2017) for flute Gycklarmusik 10 (Joker Music) (2018) for guitar Gycklarmusik 5–9 (Joker Music) (2015) for flute, clarinet, harp, vibraphone, and piano Gycklarmusik 1–4 (Joker Music) (2014) for solo violin Slitningar (2014) for string quartet or string orchestra Vändpunkter (Turning Points) (2014) for ensemble, inspired by Robert Azar's poem with the same name Trio for Bassoon, Violin and Piano (2012) Trio for Clarinet in Bb, Violoncello and Piano (2012) Kreutzer Variations (2011) for string quartet
Instrumental works
Morendo (2015) for piano, "3rd PRIZE Simon Söfelde – SWEDEN "Morendo" We congratulate with the winners and we thank all the composers who entered the competition!" Fantasia for Flute (2011) for solo flute Piece for Guitar (2010) Piano Suite (2010)
Vocal music
Madrigalerna (Madrigals) (2025) for lyric soprano and piano, text by Karl Appelgren, "World premiere of parts of the song cycle Madrigalerna, where the composer Simon Söfelde has set Karl Appelgren's mythological poetic work to music. The madrigal, which has its origins in 14th-century Italy, is based on a strong connection to the mother tongue – here Swedish. The music reflects the themes of the poem, such as family, journey, seasons, and love, and unites the mythological with the everyday life." Transatlantic Poems (2020) for 2 sopranos and mezzo a cappella Appelgrensånger (2014) for soprano, clarinet, trombone, violin, and piano, text by Karl Appelgren Staden (2012) for mixed choir Missa Brevis for mixed choir a cappella Schlussstück for soprano and chamber ensemble, text by R.M. Rilke
Other works
Tillvaron (2014), chamber opera Triple Concerto (2012) for harpsichord, piano, Hammond organ, and electronics Calm (2014) (EAM) Fly or Die Trying (2013) (EAM) Reflections on Reflections in Water (2011) (EAM and live electronics)
Film music
Bang Bang (2023) (dir. Vincent Grashaw) After Work (2023) Rymdskrot (Miss Julie) (2013)
Selected discography
As arranger and producer
Tilde – Anywhere but Here (2025), Vacanze Records Arvid Nero – Just Idag Är Jag Stark (2025), Mayfly Recordings Albin Lee Meldau – Hommage på svenskahttps://www.norran.se/kultur/recension/artikel/ingela-lekfalk-vackelsemote-nar-visan-kom-till-stan-/jv4kkdpj, "Musicians:
Simon Söfelde, band leader and guitar." (2023), Universal / Mayfly Recordings Orchestral Awakenings (2023), Catapult Music/BMG Albin Lee Meldau – På svenska (2020), Sony Music Entertainment Sweden AB Albin Lee Meldau – Merry Little Christmas EP (2019), Sony Music Entertainment Sweden AB The Magnolia – First Time (2015), SwingKids
As musician
Tilde – Pink Moon (2021), Vacanze Records Albin Lee Meldau – På svenska (In Swedish) (2020), Sony Music Entertainment Sweden AB Tilde – Call My Name (2020), Vacanze Records The Beautiful Swedes – Applications (2020), independent Albin Lee Meldau – About You (2019), Sony Music Tilde – Nothing Gold Can Stay (2018), Vacanze Records Various Artists – Så mycket bättre – Tolkningarna (2018), Sony Music Entertainment Various Artists – Christmas Rules Vol. 2 (2017), Capitol Records Albin Lee Meldau – Bloodshot – EP (2017), Sony Music Entertainment Sweden AB Ivanna – Leaving Town (2017),,"IVANNA is fronted by Ludvig Sersam who composed and produced the album, followed by his two brothers Jonatan (piano, harmonicas) and Valdemar Sersam (drums) and also Johan Dahlbom from the synth pop band Alice in Videoland and Simon Söfelde (guitars)." Bakery Allstars Recordings Albin Lee Meldau – Lovers – EP (2017), Sony Music Entertainment Sweden AB Ivanna – The Broadway Show (2016), Bakery Allstars Recordings
Awards and recognitions Carin Malmlöf-Forsslings Composers Prize 2026 Christ Johnson Prize 2025 Awardee. Appointed by the Royal Swedish Academy of Music, presented by His Majesty the King for the orchestral work Fugato. First Prize, Fidelio Piano Composition Competition (2023) Third Prize, She Lives Budapest Prize International Composition Competition (2023) STIM Grant Recipient (2018, 2021), Swedish Performing Rights Society: "Here is the list of all recipients of the Stim Scholarship 2021:" Runner-up International Acoustic Music Awards (Alternative), "AAA/ALTERNATIVE FIRST PRIZE: “Bed of Waves” by Marco Perfetti RUNNER-UP: “Lighthouse” by Simon Söfelde"
References
External links
Official Website