Born in
Filipstad, Kallstenius studied natural sciences at
Lund University, then music at the
Leipzig Conservatory under
Stephan Krehl from 1904–1907. As music librarian at
Sveriges Radio from 1928–1946, he made a significant contribution in the field of music administration in Sweden. He also served on the Board of the Society of Swedish Composers from 1933–1961 (as treasurer 1933–1943), and was on the board of the Swedish Performing Rights Society from 1932–1957. Kallstenius achieved an individual style and avoided using only tonal language by devising intense melodies reinforced with imaginative harmony. He declared that his "musical religion is called harmonics – everything else is secondary" and from this basis he worked out his "meticulously declamed themes". Although in later works he employed his own personal interpretation of
serial style, he also composed charming versions of older Swedish music. He died in
Stocksund,
Stockholm. ==Selected compositions==