Role

:

Composer Performer

Country

:

Norway

Birth

:

June 20, 1931 in Larvik, Norway

Death

:

June 5, 2010 in Oslo, Norway

Genre

:

Avant-Garde

 

 

Chamber

 

 

Choral

 

 

Orchestral

 

Arne Nordheim was a Norwegian composer who was born on June 20, 1931, in Larvik, Norway. He was the son of a schoolteacher and grew up in a musical family. His father played the organ and his mother was a singer, and they both encouraged Nordheim's interest in music from an early age. Nordheim began his formal music education at the Oslo Conservatory of Music, where he studied composition with Bjarne Brustad and conducting with Øivin Fjeldstad. He also studied electronic music at the Studio di Fonologia Musicale in Milan, Italy, and at the Columbia-Princeton Electronic Music Center in New York City. Nordheim's early works were influenced by the serialism of Arnold Schoenberg and the musique concrète of Pierre Schaeffer. His first major composition, "Canzona per orchestra," was premiered in 1956 and was well-received by critics. In the 1960s, Nordheim began to experiment with electronic music, and his works from this period, such as "Warszawa" and "Solitaire," are considered some of his most important. Nordheim's music is characterized by its use of unconventional sounds and textures, as well as its exploration of the relationship between sound and space. He often used electronic instruments and tape manipulation to create his compositions, and his works often feature long, sustained tones and complex rhythms. One of Nordheim's most famous works is "Aurora," which was commissioned by the Norwegian government to celebrate the opening of the Oslo Opera House in 2008. The piece is a multimedia work that combines music, dance, and video projections, and it has been performed in venues around the world. Another notable work by Nordheim is "Doria," which was composed in 1971 and is considered a landmark in the history of electronic music. The piece was created using a combination of analog and digital synthesizers, and it features a complex, layered texture that is both hypnotic and unsettling. Nordheim was also known for his collaborations with other artists, including the choreographer Birgit Cullberg and the visual artist Per Inge Bjørlo. He was a prolific composer throughout his career, and his works have been performed by some of the world's leading orchestras and ensembles. In addition to his work as a composer, Nordheim was also a respected teacher and mentor. He taught composition at the Norwegian Academy of Music and was a visiting professor at several universities around the world. He was also a member of the Norwegian Academy of Science and Letters and received numerous awards and honors for his contributions to music. Nordheim passed away on June 5, 2010, at the age of 78. His legacy as a composer and innovator in the field of electronic music continues to inspire musicians and audiences around the world.

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