About

Gustav Edward Knudson is an emerging composer and songwriter living in Vancouver, British Columbia. He received his Master’s degree in Composition from the University of British Columbia in May 2023, and has since been actively involved in the new music scene in Vancouver and across Canada. His work has been recently premiered by the Saxophilia Saxophone Quartet at the 2024 Sonic Boom Festival in Vancouver, and in Toronto as part of the Keyed Up! Festival hosted by Soundstreams.

Gustav takes inspiration from many sources, such as poetry, the environment, and past composers whom he admires like Igor Stravinsky and Olivier Messiaen. He has written several art songs based on poetry by Emily Dickinson and Wallace Stevens, and multiple works inspired by aspects of nature such as bats, foxes, birds, and the night sky. Gustav is also interested in the musical sounds and practices of traditional Japanese music and has incorporated elements into his own work, such as his String Quartet Nr. 1, “Kitsune”, and Genji Monogatari - Ch. 15, “Yomogiu”.

While still a young composer, Gustav has been prolific, completing nearly 20 works for various chamber ensembles, solo instruments, choir, and orchestra. Recent compositions include Picturesque Nr. 2, “Canadian Rockies” written for Standing Wave Ensemble in Vancouver, and Floriography for mixed trio of flute, bass clarinet, & viola. Gustav’s music has also been performed as part of the Tuckamore Festival in St. John’s, Newfoundland.

Currently, Gustav recently completed a piece for piano and organ in advance of Soundstreams RBC Bridges Emerging Composers Showcase taking place in Toronto, Ontario. He is also planning to compose a piece for orchestra.