A B O U T

Jakob Thonander Glans (b.1998) describes himself as a brutalist composer – linking his art to the style of brutalist architecture. As it is often bold, cold, and heavy. He focuses on simplistic yet powerful composition techniques. Often incorporating extreme dynamics and a punkish harshness and simplicity. His music ranges from extremely dissonant to very consonant and is not strictly experimental nor traditional. Often incorporating theatrical elements and non-musical direction. Whatever he writes he keeps a straight-forward attitude and opposes complicated concepts. His music is a clear consequence of his background from the underground punk-scene and and he states that his most important mission is to attempt to create “extreme instantaneous reactions through brutal, comical or sentimental aspects”. 

Jakob has worked with a number of ensembles, musicians and institutions spanning Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Iceland, Poland, USA, Croatia, Spain and England. Ensembles he has, or is working with include: the Swedish Chamber Orchestra, SISU, Trio Brax, Ensemble GAEA, K!ART, Gageego!, Gothenburg Wind Orchestra, Titania, Ensemble Matters, KRÆKK and Insimul Sinfonietta. He is a board-member of Ny-musikk komponistgruppe, a member of the Norwegian composers union (komponistforeningen), and a member of the Norwegian artists foundation (Kunstnerforeningen).

He graduated from The Academy of Music and Drama in Gothenburg, Sweden with a bachelor’s degree in composition spring 2021. Previously he also studied as an ERASMUS student at The Chopin University of Music in Warsaw, Poland. His teachers included Rune Rebne, Ole Lützow-Holm, Malin Bång, Dariusz Przybylski and Esaias Järnegard. In later years he has recieved mentor guidance from Gisle Kverndokk and Rolf Wallin.

Following his graduation in 2021, Jakob has worked full time as a freelance musician, mainly as a composer. He has had many professional commissions, recieved stipends from several organizations and his music is frequently played in Scandinavia. 

He was born and raised in Oslo, Norway, and his family is Swedish-Norweigan. Currently he spends most of the time in Warsaw, Poland, living with his partner. He frequently travels throughout Scandiavia as this is his artistic base. 

Outside music, Jakob is an amateur practioner of muay-thai, a former unsuccessfull politician, and he usually posts atleast 3 instagram reels a day.