Role

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Composer

Birth

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1961

 

Asbjorn Schaathun is a Norwegian composer who was born on May 6, 1961, in Bergen, Norway. He grew up in a family of musicians, with his father being a composer and his mother a pianist. This musical environment had a significant impact on Schaathun's early life, and he began playing the piano at a young age. Schaathun's formal music education began at the Bergen Music Conservatory, where he studied composition with Conrad Baden. He later continued his studies at the Norwegian Academy of Music in Oslo, where he studied with Olav Anton Thommessen and Bjorn Kruse. During this time, Schaathun also studied electronic music at the Institute of Sonology in Utrecht, Netherlands. Schaathun's early works were heavily influenced by the contemporary music of the time, particularly the works of composers such as Gyorgy Ligeti and Iannis Xenakis. His compositions often featured complex rhythms and harmonies, as well as the use of electronic and computer-generated sounds. One of Schaathun's early works, "Sinfonia per archi," was written in 1985 and premiered the following year. The piece is scored for string orchestra and features a complex rhythmic structure that is characteristic of Schaathun's early style. The work was well-received and helped establish Schaathun as a promising young composer. In the years that followed, Schaathun continued to develop his unique style, incorporating elements of Norwegian folk music and traditional classical forms into his compositions. One of his most notable works from this period is "Concerto for Piano and Orchestra," which was written in 1992 and premiered the following year. The piece features a virtuosic piano part and a complex orchestral score that showcases Schaathun's skill as a composer. In the late 1990s, Schaathun began to experiment with new forms and techniques, incorporating elements of improvisation and aleatoric music into his compositions. One of his most notable works from this period is "Lamento," which was written in 1998 and premiered the following year. The piece is scored for string quartet and features a highly improvisational structure that allows the performers to shape the music in real-time. In recent years, Schaathun has continued to push the boundaries of contemporary classical music, incorporating elements of electronic music and multimedia into his compositions. One of his most notable works from this period is "The Garden," which was written in 2014 and premiered the following year. The piece is scored for chamber ensemble and features a multimedia component that includes video projections and live electronics. Throughout his career, Schaathun has received numerous awards and honors for his work, including the Norwegian Society of Composers' Music Prize in 1993 and the Edvard Prize in 2002. His music has been performed by some of the world's leading orchestras and ensembles, including the Oslo Philharmonic Orchestra, the Bergen Philharmonic Orchestra, and the Arditti Quartet. In conclusion, Asbjorn Schaathun is a highly respected and innovative composer who has made significant contributions to the world of contemporary classical music. His unique style, which incorporates elements of Norwegian folk music, traditional classical forms, and electronic music, has earned him a reputation as one of Norway's most important composers.

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