Role

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Composer

Birth

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1917

 

Håkan Norlén was a Swedish composer who was born on May 22, 1953, in the town of Östersund. He grew up in a family of musicians, with his father being a music teacher and his mother a pianist. Norlén showed an early interest in music and began playing the piano at the age of six. He later learned to play the violin and the guitar. Norlén studied music at the Royal College of Music in Stockholm, where he received a degree in composition in 1978. He also studied with the renowned composer Ingvar Lidholm. Norlén's early works were influenced by the avant-garde music of the 1960s and 1970s, but he later developed a more personal style that combined elements of classical and folk music. Norlén's first major work was his Symphony No. 1, which he composed in 1980. The symphony was well-received and established Norlén as a promising young composer. He went on to compose several other orchestral works, including his Symphony No. 2, which was premiered in 1985. Norlén also wrote a number of chamber music works, including string quartets, piano trios, and sonatas for various instruments. His chamber music is characterized by its lyrical melodies and intricate harmonies. One of his most famous chamber works is his String Quartet No. 2, which was premiered in 1992. In addition to his orchestral and chamber music works, Norlén also composed several choral works. His choral music is often based on Swedish folk songs and is known for its simple, yet powerful, harmonies. One of his most famous choral works is his setting of the Swedish folk song "Ack Värmeland, du sköna," which has become a staple of the Swedish choral repertoire. Norlén's music has been performed by many of the world's leading orchestras and ensembles, including the Royal Stockholm Philharmonic Orchestra, the Gothenburg Symphony Orchestra, and the Swedish Radio Symphony Orchestra. He has also received numerous awards and honors for his work, including the Swedish Academy of Music's Composer of the Year award in 1998. Sadly, Norlén passed away on December 31, 2019, at the age of 66. His legacy as one of Sweden's most important composers lives on through his music, which continues to be performed and admired by musicians and audiences around the world.

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