BIOGRAPHY
Born into a musical family, Helena Munktell studied at Ivar Hallström's Music Institute in Stockholm, Sweden. In 1870, Munktell wentto Paris with her mother to study voice. Her interest shifted toward piano playing and composition, and she began instrumentation lessons with Benjamin Godard, a pupil of Vieuxtemps. 

During her composing career, Munktell wrote songs, operas, orchestral works, choral pieces, and chamber music.¹ Her writing style was influenced by both French music and Swedish folk melodies.²

Munktell became quite well-known by her debut concert in 1885. A few years later, she was elected as a member of the French Composers Association.³ Around the same time, Munktell met French composer Vincent D’Indy, a former pupil of Franck, who became her primary instructor and was an advocate for her works.⁴

Munktell’s Swedish heritage combined with her French musical lineage created a unique compositional style. Her compositional approach has been described in the following way: “(The) fusion of French ideals of sound and form and Nordic folk tone forms her very individual style.”⁵