Roland Johansson

Who is Roland Johansson?

Roland Johansson is a Swedish former percussionist who played timpani for the Royal Stockholm Philharmonic Orchestra until his retirement in 2004. He became head purcussionist during Hungarian conductor Antál Doratis reign during the late 1960:s. Roland Johansson began his musical career in the Swedish navy at the age of 14, and continued to study percussion at the Royal College of Music in Stockholm, as well as in Malmö, and in Trieste, Italy.

His first job in a professional orchestra was as a percussionist at Malmö Symphony Orchestra under Israeli conductor Elyakum Shapirra. He ended his musical career in 2004 when he did his last concert with the Philarmonic Orchestra, with conductor Alan Gilbert in charge. He continued teaching at the Royal College of Music in Stockholm as Professor of Percussion until 2009. He currently lives in Stockholm, Sweden.