Role

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Composer

Birth

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1969

 

Thomas Agerfeldt Olesen is a Danish composer who was born on September 6, 1969, in Copenhagen, Denmark. He grew up in a family of musicians, with his father being a composer and his mother a pianist. Olesen started playing the piano at a young age and later learned to play the guitar and the drums. He was also interested in composing music from an early age and started writing his own pieces when he was just 12 years old. Olesen studied music at the Royal Danish Academy of Music in Copenhagen, where he received his diploma in composition in 1995. He also studied with the renowned composer Per Nørgård, who had a significant influence on his musical style. Olesen's early works were heavily influenced by Nørgård's music, which is characterized by complex rhythms, microtonality, and a focus on the natural world. Olesen's first major work was his Symphony No. 1, which he composed in 1994-1995. The symphony is a large-scale work that showcases Olesen's interest in complex rhythms and microtonality. It was well-received by critics and established Olesen as a promising young composer. In the years that followed, Olesen continued to compose music that was characterized by its complexity and originality. He wrote a number of chamber works, including String Quartet No. 1 (1996), which was commissioned by the Danish String Quartet, and String Quartet No. 2 (2000), which was commissioned by the Kronos Quartet. Olesen's music also began to incorporate elements of Danish folk music, which he had been exposed to through his father's work as a composer. This can be heard in works such as his Piano Trio No. 1 (1998), which features a folk-inspired melody in the second movement. In 2001, Olesen received a commission from the Danish National Symphony Orchestra to write a new work for their 75th anniversary. The resulting piece, Symphony No. 2, is a large-scale work that showcases Olesen's interest in complex rhythms and microtonality. It was well-received by critics and established Olesen as one of Denmark's leading composers. Olesen's music continued to evolve in the years that followed. He began to incorporate elements of jazz and rock music into his compositions, as well as electronic sounds. This can be heard in works such as his Piano Concerto No. 1 (2005), which features a jazz-inspired second movement. In 2010, Olesen received a commission from the Danish National Opera to write a new opera. The resulting work, The Picture of Dorian Gray, is based on the novel by Oscar Wilde and features a libretto by the Danish writer and director Michael Larsen. The opera premiered in 2013 and was well-received by audiences and critics alike. Olesen's most recent works include his Symphony No. 3 (2015), which was commissioned by the Danish National Symphony Orchestra, and his Piano Concerto No. 2 (2017), which was commissioned by the Danish pianist Katrine Gislinge. Both works showcase Olesen's continued interest in complex rhythms and microtonality, as well as his incorporation of jazz and rock elements. Overall, Thomas Agerfeldt Olesen is a composer who has established himself as one of Denmark's leading contemporary composers. His music is characterized by its complexity, originality, and incorporation of elements from a variety of musical genres. His works have been well-received by audiences and critics alike, and he continues to be an important figure in the world of classical music.

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