He was born in Aakarp. He studied with Ellberg at the Stockholm Conservatory (1925-1929) and with Alban Berg and Reuter in Vienna and Leipzig (1929-1930), then worked for Swedish radio and taught at the Stockholm Conservatory (1947-1959) and Uppsala University (1961-1966).
His style as a composer is eclectic, ranging from the late Romantic to techniques derived from Arnold Schoenberg's twelve-note system, but original in method. He was the first Swede to write serial music (1932). Yet other works of that period are post-Sibelian or neo-classical, and his output generally is characterized by variety of style.
He wrote for the theatre, cinema and broadcasting, in addition to the more traditional forms of symphony, concerto, chamber and vocal music.
He died in Helsingborg on 27 December 1986.
Prelude
Lars-Erik Larsson Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
A song in blue
Like a flower crying
For the dew
That was my heart serenading you
My prelude to a kiss
If you hear a song that grows
That was my heart trying to compose
A prelude to a kiss
Though it's just a simple melody
With nothing fancy
Nothing much
You could turn it to a symphony
A Shubert tune with a Gershwin touch
Oh how my love song gently cries
For the tenderness within your eyes
My love is a prelude that never dies
A prelude to a kiss
Though it's just a simple melody
With nothing fancy
Nothing much
You could turn it to a symphony
A Shubert tune with a Gershwin touch
Oh how my love song so gently cries
For the tenderness within your eyes
My love is a prelude that never dies
A prelude to a kiss
Lars-Erik Larsson's song "Prelude" is a heartfelt love song that speaks of the depth of the composer's affection for someone. The first verse speaks of the composer's heart serenading someone with a song in blue, which could represent his melancholy and vulnerability. He sings of his heart's desire for the person, comparing it to a flower crying for dew. He calls the song a "prelude to a kiss," implying that he hopes to kiss the person soon.
The second verse continues with the theme of the heart's expression through music. The composer reveals that the melody of the song comes from his "tender sentimental woes," indicating that he may have experienced heartbreak in the past. Despite its simplicity, he believes the song has the potential to become a symphony, with a Shubert tune and a Gershwin touch. The final lines of the song reaffirm that his affection for the person is genuine and lasting, as his love is a "prelude that never dies."
Overall, the lyrics of "Prelude" speak of the intense emotions that come with falling in love. The song paints a picture of vulnerability and a longing for connection with someone else. The melody is gentle and sentimental, reflecting the mood of the lyrics.
Line by Line Meaning
If you hear
If the listener is able to hear
A song in blue
A song that evokes a feeling of sadness
Like a flower crying
As if a flower is tearing up
For the dew
Missing something necessary to feel complete
That was my heart serenading you
That song was the feeling coming from a deep emotional place in the heart, directed towards the person in mind
My prelude to a kiss
A song meant to set the tone for something more intimate
If you hear a song that grows
If the song progresses and develops into something more meaningful
From my tender sentimental woes
Derived from deep emotions of love
That was my heart trying to compose
That was my heart attempting to express itself through music
Though it's just a simple melody
The song may be basic or uncomplicated
With nothing fancy
It doesn't have any intricate or elaborate parts
Nothing much
Nothing special or out of the ordinary
You could turn it to a symphony
With some effort and a great deal of creativity, the song could be made into something grand
A Shubert tune with a Gershwin touch
It could be transformed into a song with the style of Shubert but with Gershwin's individuality and refinement
Oh how my love song gently cries
The song is filled with emotions and is heart-wrenching
For the tenderness within your eyes
The song's inspiration is taken from the affection and admiration felt towards another
My love is a prelude that never dies
The love mentioned in this song goes on indefinitely
A prelude to a kiss
A song created to build up to a kiss
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Duke Ellington, Irving Mills, Irving Gordon
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind