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Albert Ahlstrom has performed and his compositions have been heard in concert and on radio throughout the U.S. and Europe. He has performed at several major music festivals and conventions, including a solo concert and an interview at Radio France, Paris during the American Music Festival. He also has been interviewed on WNYC in New York City for a premiere and performance in New York City.
Dr. Ahlstrom has won several ASCAP awards, and his music for orchestra, chamber groups and electronics has been commisioned and performed by groups such as the the Atlanta Chamber Players, consisting of members of the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra, the Meridian Arts Ensemble, an internationally touring brass quintet, Emory University Faculty and Thamyris New Music Ensemble member Laura Gordy, the Halcyon String Quartet, a quartet based in New York City, and university orchestras. He has also composed a large number of works for organ with percussion, brass, and strings.Dr. Ahlstrom studied composition, organ, and improvisation in France with Xavier Darasse as a Fulbright scholar, and he received a doctorate from the Juilliard School where he studied with Jon Gillock, Leonard Raver and Gerre Hancock. He has been a guest composer at the Brooklyn College Center for Computer Music, and for many years he performed with Donald Joyce original music and transcriptions for organ, synthesizers and electronics.
This summer, Dr. Ahlstrom performed the premiere of his latest composition for the Southeastern Regional Convention of the American Guild of Organists. This autumn, as a founding member of the Five Points Ensemble, a performer/composer collective which is exclusively devoted to the performance of 21st century music, he performed his new work for solo piano on the group's opening night concert.Dr. Ahlstrom has recorded a CD on the Raven label, of the music of Horatio Parker, who was the teacher of Charles Ives, on the historic 1895 Muller and Abel organ at St. Joseph's Church, Yorkville, New York City, selections from which have been broadcast on numerous occasions in the U.S. on Pipedreams and in Europe. While in New York he played services and and recitals in many of the larger churches such as the Cathedral of St. John the Divine and St. Patrick's Cathedral.
Presently Dr. Ahlstrom is the Director of Music of Holy Spirit Catholic Church, Atlanta where he has premiered his Requiem and Seven Last Words of Christ. Dr. Ahlstrom has been on the faculty of Queens College of the City University of New York and presently he is a member of the faculty of Holy Spirit College, Atlanta, teaching a course on the history of religious music with a special emphasis on Chant and Renaissance Literature.
Hear what people are saying about Dr. Albert Ahlstrom...
“Ahlstrom is a very musical performer. The playing is expressive and warm without becoming cloying and sentimental. The organ is an 1895 Muller and Abel in St. Joseph’s Church, New York City (Ahlstrom’s home church). It is an outstanding example of a period instrument and perfectly matched to Parker’s music. The engineering is also of high quality. All in all a very enjoyable addition to anyone’s collection.” From a Review of the CD, Horatio Parker, 21 Organ Works, Raven OAR 340. FANFARE
“...(W)ith all of the warmth of a nicely aged Bordeaux. Horatio
Parker was one of America’s finest organists and composers of the
late 19th century, and his music never sounded better than in the new
compact disc featuring the 1895 Muller and Abel organ recently restored
by John Randolph at St. Joseph’s Church, New York City." Comments
during an NPR radio show hosted by Michael Barone, when part of the CD,
Horatio Parker, 21 Organ Works was broadcast. PIPEDREAMS
“The two organists [Ahlstrom and Donald Joyce] both masterly technicians,
alternated between the acoustic and electronic keyboards, the latter consisting
of a Roland D-50 and a Yamaha DX-7.” A review of a concert given
by Donald Joyce and Albert Ahlstrom of premieres for organ, synthesizers,
and electronics. THE NEW YORK TIMES
“Albert Ahlstrom’s 17 minute “Firewalker Suite"
is discursive and extroverted. Its three likable sections go from bright
lights to a darker veiled sound (with a hint of kitsch) to a brilliant,
French-toccata finale. Ahlstrom has abundant technique, both as a composer
and organist...”
“Organist Albert Ahlstrom, as ever, gave it a winning and showy
performance ”
A review of a concert of premieres. ATLANTA JOURNAL CONSTITUTION
“Ahlstrom’s “Refractions 2.2" partially realized via computer-generated tape was the most interesting of the lot as the organ tumbled over the electronics in a coherent, increasingly complex arch.” A review of a concert given by Donald Joyce and Albert Ahlstrom. LOS ANGELES TIMES
“This unlikely instrumental combination yielded surprising results
in the variety of timbres and rhythms presented.” A review of a
concert (including an original composition by Albert Ahlstrom) for organ
and percussion. WESTCHESTER NEWS DISPATCH