Magnus Alexanderson is an EAM composer and experimental guitarist. He studied Electro-Acoustic Music Composition under the guidance of Lars-Gunnar Bodin, Rolf Enström and Tamas Unguary at Electronic Music Studio in collaboration with the Royal Academy of Music in Stockholm between 1980 -1983 and in addition received private tutorials in instrumental composition with composers Lars Sandberg and Mikros Maros.

His electro-acoustic music compositions have been performed at various venues throughout Sweden. In 2001 he was commissioned by the University of Linköping, the City of Norrköping and the Swedish Ministry of Foreign Affairs to compose for the opening event of EU Commissioner meeting in Sweden. He has been a guest lecturer on EAM at the University of Linköping between 1992 and 1996, and for the period of 2009-2019 he was a lecturer/educator of Sound Culture at the same university.

He is also an experimental guitarist with contribution in various improvisational groups. His collaborators include Geoff Leigh, Jair-Rohm Parker Wells, Tony Bianco, and Gary Smith. The first CD of Decision Dream (with Jair-Rohm Parker Wells and Tony Bianco) was released by Canadian label Red Toucan in 2005, receiving international critical acclaim. In 2021, he participated in the group Fontana Re:Mix, contributing to the release of Traces of Time. In 2025, two new releases are planned with the groups Instant Circuit and Fontana Re:Mix.

He co-founded the art duo MASH with visual artist Sachiko Hayashi. Since its inception, MASH’s work has been widely exhibited at various venues both nationally and internationally.

Selected CV for Magnus Alexanderson (born 1961)

1980-1990

  • Composition Studies: Attended the composition class in electronic music at EMS/Academy of Music (1980-82). Private studies in instrumental composition with Lars Sandberg and Miklos Maros (1982-85).
  • Performances: Participated in concerts and festivals in Stockholm as a musician in the group Fontana Mix (1980-82).
  • Tour: Undertook a longer tour under the auspices of Rikskonserter with colleague Lars Åkerlund, presenting electronic music at middle schools in Central Sweden (November 1982 – March 1983).
  • Fylkingen: Elected a member of Fylkingen in 1984; served in the production group for a year (1986-87) and was involved in various collaborations during this period.
  • Conductor: Conducted Karlheinz Stockhausen’s Solo at the Electronic Music Festival in Stockholm, 1985.
  • Transient Music Ensemble: Member of the ensemble Transient Music (1986-1990) with Paul Pignon and Raymond Strid, performing at festivals and events, primarily in Stockholm.
  • Software Development: Developed a small computer program for composing music at EMS (1986-87), which was implemented.

1990-2000

  • MASH Collaboration: Founded MASH in 1991 with Sachiko Hayashi, focusing on music, sound, image, and visual arts collaboration.
  • Tours: Conducted tours with MASH in 1991 and 1992 under the FU project, integrating spatial installations, electroacoustic music, dance, and improvisation, with visits to Gävle, Växjö, Leksand, Stockholm, and Linköping.
  • Lectures: Guest lectures (1992-96) at Linköping University on 20th-century art music, electronic music, and sound.
  • Composer in Residence: Employed as a composer (1995) in Åtvidaberg Municipality for the Snittpunkt project with visual artist Peter Uhr.
  • Snittpunkt Festival: Participated as a composer and producer in the major contemporary art festival Snittpunkt in Linköping, 1996.
  • Sound Art: Sound Art to be incorporated into Stina Opitz:s installation ”PÅ TIDEN” Moderna Museet Stockholm (1996)/
    ”INSIDE” Stoffwechsel Kassel Universitet, Kassel, Tyskland
  • FST Membership: Elected to the Society of Swedish Composers (FST) in 1997.
  • Table Manners Project: Employed for six months (2000-2001) as a composer by Norrköping Municipality in collaboration with Linköping University. Created music and sound for the Table Manners project, performed in January 2001 at the inauguration of Sweden’s EU Council Presidency.

2000-2010

  • Rikskonserter Commission: Received a composition commission from Rikskonserter in 2000.
  • Tours: Conducted smaller tours (2000-2002) with Anders Blomqvist under Rikskonserter, featuring the production Bio for the Ear and performances at electronic music festivals in Malmö, Växjö, and Härnösand.
  • Meriamis Tour: Small tour with Meriamis under SEAMS in 2002.
  • International Performances: Performed with MASH at Not Still Arts Festival (New York, 2002), European Media Art Festival (Osnabrück, 2002), and Transmediale (Berlin, 2003).
  • Decision Dream Group: Formed the group Decision Dream with Jair-Rohm Parker-Wells and Tony Bianco. Released a CD on Canada’s Red Toucan label (2005) and performed in London and Geneva.
  • Stretched in the Dark: Released the CD Stretched In The Dark in 2006 under Elektron Records (SEAMS).
  • Bemass Group: Formed the group Bemass (2007) with Sten Sandell and Welsh cellist Bela Emerson. Recorded in Sweden and performed in Brighton, England (2008).
  • MASH Perfomance with Steina Vasulka: A shared concert/performance with Steina Vasulka at Norrköpings Konstmuseum (2008)
  • Tour with Geoff Leigh: Toured in October 2009 with legendary multi-instrumentalist Geoff Leigh, performing in Linköping, Norrköping, and Stockholm.

2010-2020

  • Concert Productions: Continued concert productions (two per year since 2018) at Fylkingen with Sachiko Hayashi and composers Lars Bröndum, Girilal Baars, and Jonas Broberg.
  • Sound Culture Course: Co-directed the independent course Sound Culture at Linköping University (2010-2019) with Lars Jonsson. Delivered lectures on 20th-century music history, sound experimentation, composition, sound art, film sound, and recording history.
  • MASH Performances: Performed with MASH at Norberg’s Electronic Music Festival (summer 2010) and Sound of Stockholm (autumn 2010).
  • Instant Circuit Group: Formed the group Instant Circuit in 2009 with percussionist/composer Magnus Frenning. Vocalist Carin Lundhquist joined in 2010, and the group has maintained this lineup since.
  • Collaboration with Lars Bröndum: Collaborated with composer Lars Bröndum (2011-2017), performing compositions in various constellations, primarily at Fylkingen in Stockholm and in Norrköping.
  • Tour with Gary Smith: Undertook a small tour in autumn 2012 with renowned guitarist Gary Smith, performing in Stockholm and Eksjö.
  • Fylkingen 80th Anniversary: Performed with MASH in 2013 at the Fylkingen 80th anniversary celebrations.
  • Rhizomatrix Group: Formed the group Rhizomatrix in 2015 with composers Lars Bröndum, Jonas Broberg, and visual artist Sachiko Hayashi. Performed at Fylkingen and the Kontakt Festival in Norrköping (2015).
  • Recordings: Initiated recordings (2018 – present) for releases with the ensembles Instant Circuit and Fontana Mix.