Instrumentation: fch[S.S.S.A.A.A]
Ulrika Emanuelsson (b. 1965) is a Swedish composer, conductor, and singer based in Lund. Renowned for her evocative choral music, she explores rich, textured soundscapes with polyrhythms and percussive vocal techniques. Drawing on texts by writers such as Dag Hammarskjöld, Tomas Tranströmer, and Lotta Lotass, her compositions often reflect existential themes.
A graduate of the Malmö Academy of Music (2007), Emanuelsson also holds a degree in rhythm pedagogy and has pursued vocal studies in New York and Budapest. Her composition mentors include Hans Gefors, Rolf Martinsson, Kent Olofsson, Björn-Tryggve Johansson, and Luca Francesconi.
With a strong foundation as an ensemble singer, Emanuelsson composes across genres—including chamber, orchestral, and vocal music, as well as opera, oratorios, theatre, and film scores—though her focus remains firmly on choral writing. Her approach often begins with extra-musical concepts, using them as creative frameworks.
She has received commissions from many of Sweden’s leading choirs. Notable works include Johansson – Lyrical Games, commissioned and recorded by the Swedish Radio Choir for the 150th anniversary of Hugo Alfvén in 2022, and I det vita ofyllda (2023), commissioned by Swedish Radio P2 for Sofia Vokalensemble and Bengt Ollén.
Her music has been recognized internationally, including at the Sacred Music Festival in New York and by the Cambridge Madrigal Singers in Boston. She has received scholarships from STIM, the Swedish Composers’ Association, and the Madeleine Uggla Foundation. Emanuelsson is also a board member of the Swedish Choral Conductors’ Association and director of Körcentrum Syd.