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Composer

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Choral

 

 

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Lasse Thoresen is a Norwegian composer who was born on September 18, 1949, in Oslo, Norway. He grew up in a family of musicians, with his father being a composer and his mother a pianist. Thoresen started playing the piano at a young age and later learned to play the guitar and the accordion. He was also interested in mathematics and physics, which would later influence his approach to music composition. Thoresen studied music at the University of Oslo, where he earned a degree in musicology in 1975. He then went on to study composition with Finn Mortensen at the Norwegian Academy of Music, where he earned a degree in composition in 1981. Thoresen also studied with Iannis Xenakis in Paris and attended the Darmstadt Summer Courses in Germany. Thoresen's music is characterized by his use of microtonality, which is the use of intervals smaller than the traditional half-step. He has also been influenced by Norwegian folk music and the music of other cultures, such as Indian classical music. Thoresen's music often features complex rhythms and textures, and he has been praised for his ability to create a sense of space and depth in his compositions. One of Thoresen's early works is his String Quartet No. 1, which was composed in 1979. The piece is notable for its use of microtonality and its complex rhythmic patterns. Thoresen's interest in Indian classical music is evident in his work, "Solbøn" for solo flute, which was composed in 1983. The piece features a drone-like accompaniment and uses microtonal intervals to create a sense of tension and release. Thoresen's most famous work is his opera, "Gjengangere" (Ghosts), which was premiered in 1991. The opera is based on the play by Henrik Ibsen and features a libretto by Jon Fosse. Thoresen's music for the opera is characterized by its use of microtonality and its complex rhythms. The opera was well-received and has been performed in Norway and other countries. Thoresen has also composed several works for orchestra, including "Aeolian Harp" (1985) and "Illuminations" (1995). "Aeolian Harp" is inspired by the sound of the wind blowing through the strings of a harp and features a solo violin that plays microtonal intervals. "Illuminations" is a tribute to the French poet Arthur Rimbaud and features a soprano soloist and a large orchestra. Thoresen has also composed several works for choir, including "Opus 42" (1993) and "Veslefrikk med fela" (Little Freddy with the Fiddle) (1997). "Opus 42" is a setting of poems by the Norwegian poet Olav H. Hauge and features a choir and a solo cello. "Veslefrikk med fela" is a setting of a Norwegian folk tale and features a choir, soloists, and a small orchestra. Thoresen has received numerous awards and honors for his work, including the Nordic Council Music Prize in 2000 and the Lindeman Prize in 2002. He has also been commissioned to compose works for several prominent ensembles and orchestras, including the Oslo Philharmonic Orchestra and the Kronos Quartet. In addition to his work as a composer, Thoresen has also been active as a musicologist and has written several articles and books on music theory and analysis. He has also taught composition at the Norwegian Academy of Music and has been a visiting professor at several universities in Europe and the United States. In conclusion, Lasse Thoresen is a Norwegian composer who has made significant contributions to the field of contemporary classical music.

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