Few composers have had such an impact on Swedish music life as Tor Aulin (1866-1914). He studied violin and music theory in Stockholm 1877-83, and in Berlin 1884-86. In 1887 he founded the Aulin Quartet, which for more than 20 years played an important role in broadening Swedish interest in chamber music. The quartet was often on tour with the composer Wilhelm Stenhammar at the piano.

1889-1902 Aulin was the leader of the orchestra at the Royal Opera in Stockholm.

At Aulin's instigation the Concert Association in Stockholm (later The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra) was founded in 1902, and he was its conductor until 1909. From then on he was the conductor of the Gothenburg Concert Association (nowadays The Gothenburg Symphony Orchestra).

Besides being a first class violinist, Tor Aulin was also an accomplished pianist, and Edvard Grieg was deeply impressed by Aulin's rendering of his piano concerto.

Aulin's list of works is dominated by his music for violin. He wrote three violin concertos, the third of which still has a place in the repertoire.

Four Watercolours for violin and piano from 1899 is his most beloved composition. In 1996 Jerker Johansson arranged this work for solo instruments, one for each of the four movements, and concert band. The solo instruments being clarinet, trumpet, flute and alto saxophone.