Role

:

Composer

Period

:

Contemporary

Genre

:

Chamber

 

 

Orchestral

 

Erik Hojsgaard was a Danish composer who was born on August 17, 1954, in Copenhagen, Denmark. He was the son of a music teacher and grew up in a musical family. His father was a pianist and his mother was a singer, and they both encouraged him to pursue a career in music. Hojsgaard began his musical education at a young age, studying piano and music theory. He later attended the Royal Danish Academy of Music in Copenhagen, where he studied composition with Per Nørgård and Ib Nørholm. He also studied electronic music at the Institute of Sonology in Utrecht, Netherlands. Hojsgaard's early works were influenced by the avant-garde music of the 1960s and 1970s, particularly the works of Karlheinz Stockhausen and György Ligeti. His compositions often featured complex rhythms, unconventional harmonies, and electronic sounds. One of Hojsgaard's early works, "Klangfarbenmelodie" (1976), was a piece for solo piano that explored the concept of timbre, or the quality of sound. The piece featured a series of short, fragmented melodies that were played by different parts of the piano, creating a kaleidoscope of sound. In the 1980s, Hojsgaard began to incorporate more traditional elements into his compositions, such as tonality and melody. He also began to explore the possibilities of combining acoustic and electronic sounds. One of Hojsgaard's most notable works from this period was "Ligeia" (1987), a chamber opera based on the short story by Edgar Allan Poe. The opera featured a score that combined acoustic instruments with electronic sounds, creating a haunting and atmospheric sound world. In the 1990s, Hojsgaard continued to explore the possibilities of combining acoustic and electronic sounds, as well as incorporating elements of jazz and world music into his compositions. He also began to experiment with new forms, such as the multimedia opera. One of Hojsgaard's most ambitious works from this period was "The Masque of the Red Death" (1993), a multimedia opera based on the short story by Edgar Allan Poe. The opera featured a score that combined acoustic instruments with electronic sounds, as well as video projections and live actors. The opera was performed in Denmark, Germany, and the United States, and received critical acclaim for its innovative use of technology and its powerful emotional impact. In the 2000s, Hojsgaard continued to push the boundaries of classical music, incorporating elements of rock and pop music into his compositions. He also began to explore the possibilities of interactive music, creating works that allowed the audience to participate in the performance. One of Hojsgaard's most innovative works from this period was "The Garden" (2005), an interactive installation that allowed the audience to control the sounds and images in the performance space. The installation featured a series of sensors that detected the movements of the audience, and the sounds and images in the space changed in response to their movements. Hojsgaard continued to compose and perform until his death on December 27, 2018, at the age of 64. He left behind a legacy of innovative and groundbreaking works that pushed the boundaries of classical music and explored the possibilities of new technologies and forms. His contributions to the world of music will continue to inspire and influence future generations of composers and performers.

More....