Role

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Composer

Period

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Modern

Genre

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Chamber

 

Lawson Lunde was an American composer of classical music, born on May 15, 1923, in Colfax, Wisconsin. He was the youngest of four children and grew up in a musical family. His father was a church organist, and his mother played the piano. Lunde began playing the piano at a young age and showed an early interest in music. Lunde attended the University of Wisconsin-Madison, where he studied composition with Howard Hanson and Aaron Copland. He received his Bachelor of Music degree in 1949 and his Master of Music degree in 1950. After completing his studies, Lunde taught music at various colleges and universities, including the University of Wisconsin-Madison, the University of Minnesota, and the University of Iowa. Lunde's compositions are characterized by their lyricism, clarity, and emotional depth. He was influenced by the music of Bach, Beethoven, Brahms, and Copland, among others. His works include orchestral music, chamber music, choral music, and solo pieces. One of Lunde's most famous works is his Symphony No. 2, which was commissioned by the Minnesota Orchestra and premiered in 1972. The symphony is in four movements and is notable for its use of folk melodies and rhythms. The second movement, in particular, features a haunting melody played by the English horn. Another notable work by Lunde is his Concerto for Alto Saxophone and Orchestra, which was commissioned by the Minnesota Orchestra and premiered in 1980. The concerto is in three movements and showcases the virtuosity of the saxophone. The second movement, in particular, features a lyrical solo played by the saxophone. Lunde's chamber music includes works for various combinations of instruments, including string quartets, woodwind quintets, and brass quintets. His String Quartet No. 2, which was commissioned by the Fine Arts Quartet and premiered in 1963, is a particularly notable work. The quartet is in four movements and is characterized by its lyricism and emotional depth. Lunde's choral music includes works for both mixed and men's choirs. His Missa Brevis, which was commissioned by the University of Wisconsin-Madison and premiered in 1960, is a particularly notable work. The mass is in five movements and is characterized by its simplicity and clarity. Lunde's solo pieces include works for piano, organ, and other instruments. His Sonata for Piano, which was premiered by the composer in 1951, is a particularly notable work. The sonata is in three movements and is characterized by its lyricism and emotional depth. Throughout his career, Lunde received numerous awards and honors for his compositions, including a Guggenheim Fellowship in 1962 and a National Endowment for the Arts grant in 1974. He was also a member of the American Academy of Arts and Letters. Lunde died on December 28, 2013, at the age of 90. His legacy as a composer of classical music lives on through his works, which continue to be performed and admired by musicians and audiences alike.

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