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Knudåge Riisager

Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000

Knudåge Riisager (6 March 1897 – 26 December 1974 ) was a Danish composer. His work was part of the music event in the art competition at the 1928 Summer Olympics. Early life and education Knudåge Riisager was born in Kunda, in the Russian Empire, in what is today Estonia of Danish parents. His father Emil Riisager was an engineer, and the family returned to Denmark in 1900 when Knudåge was three years old. He graduated from Copenhagen University where he received violin lessons from Peder Møller, and studied music theory under Otto Malling and Peder Gram. For many years he worked in a government job, and also as a composer. In 1923, he went to Paris to study with Albert Roussel and Paul Le Flem, where he experienced at first hand French neoclassicism and the music of Igor Stravinsky and Les Six. Notable works ;Opera *Susanne, Op. 49 (1948) ;Ballet music *Benzin, Op. 17 (1930) *Cocktails-Party, Op. 19 (1930) (ikke opført) *Darduse, Op. 32 (1935–36) *Tolv med Posten, Op. 37 (1942) *Slaraffenland, Op. 33 (1936–40) *Qarrtsiluni, Op. 36 (1938–42) *Fugl Fønix (1944/45) *Etudes (1947) *Månerenen, Op. 57 (1956) *Fruen fra havet, Op. 59 (1959) *Galla-Variationer (1966) *Ballet Royal (1967)

Knut Nystedt

Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000

Knut Nystedt (3 September 1915 – 8 December 2014) was a Norwegian orchestral and choral composer. Early life Nystedt was born in Kristiania (now Oslo), Norway, and grew up in a Christian home where hymns and classical music were an important part of everyday life. His major compositions for choir and vocal soloists are mainly based on texts from the Bible or sacred themes. Old church music, especially Palestrina and Gregorian chants, have had a major influence on his compositions. Career Nystedt studied with Aaron Copland among others. He was the organist in the Torshov Church in Oslo from 1946 to 1982 and taught choir conducting at the University of Oslo from 1964 to 1985. Nystedt founded and conducted the Norwegian Soloists’ Choir from 1950 to 1990. He also founded and conducted the Schola Cantorum from 1964 to 1985. The choir Ensemble 96 published “Immortal Nystedt” in 2005. This CD was nominated in two categories in the 2007 Grammy Awards and was the first Norwegian CD so nominated. It was also the first CD with a Norwegian composer nominated for a Grammy. On the occasion of his 90th birthday in 2005, there were several concerts around the world held in his honour. Key Nystedt