Role

:

Composer

Country

:

Norway

Birth

:

May 16, 1946 in Oslo, Norway

Period

:

Contemporary

Genre

:

Chamber

 

 

Vocal

 

Olav Anton Thommessen is a Norwegian composer who was born on February 16, 1946, 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 played a significant role in shaping Thommessen's interest in music, and he began composing at a young age. Thommessen studied music at the University of Oslo, where he received his degree in composition in 1970. He then went on to study at the Hochschule für Musik in Cologne, Germany, where he studied with the renowned composer Karlheinz Stockhausen. This experience had a profound impact on Thommessen's musical style, and he began incorporating elements of avant-garde and experimental music into his compositions. One of Thommessen's early works, "Fata Morgana," was composed in 1971 and is considered a landmark piece in Norwegian contemporary music. The piece is a multimedia work that combines music, dance, and visual art, and it was performed at the Bergen International Festival in 1972. "Fata Morgana" was well-received by audiences and critics alike, and it helped establish Thommessen as a leading figure in the Norwegian contemporary music scene. Throughout the 1970s and 1980s, Thommessen continued to compose innovative and experimental works that pushed the boundaries of traditional classical music. One of his most notable works from this period is "Flashback and Fantasy," which was composed in 1980. The piece is a concerto for piano and orchestra that incorporates elements of jazz and rock music, as well as avant-garde techniques such as aleatoric music and extended techniques. In the 1990s, Thommessen's music began to incorporate more traditional elements of classical music, while still maintaining his experimental and avant-garde style. One of his most well-known works from this period is "To the Brother Peoples," which was composed in 1995. The piece is a choral work that incorporates elements of Norwegian folk music, as well as texts from the Bible and the Norwegian poet Olav H. Hauge. Thommessen's 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. He has also received numerous awards and honors for his contributions to contemporary music, including the Norwegian Society of Composers' Music Prize in 1980 and the Lindeman Prize in 1995. In addition to his work as a composer, Thommessen has also been active as a music educator and writer. He has taught at the Norwegian Academy of Music and the University of Oslo, and he has written several books on music and music theory. Overall, Olav Anton Thommessen is a pioneering figure in Norwegian contemporary music, whose innovative and experimental works have helped shape the direction of classical music in Norway and beyond. His music continues to be performed and celebrated by audiences and musicians around the world, and his legacy as a composer and educator is sure to endure for generations to come.

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