Harald Sæverud

Harald Sigurd Johan Sæverud ( born April 17, 1897 in Bergen, † 27 March 1992 ) was a Norwegian composer.

Life

With nine symphonies Sæverud is one of the most important Scandinavian Symphony Orchestra of the 20th Century. But were particularly known his music for Peer Gynt (1947 ), his Rondo Amoroso, and the Ballad of the Uprising ( Kjempeviseslåtten ), which was written during the Second World War and represents the musical symbol of the Norwegian resistance against the German occupation.

Sæverud was born in the Nordnes area of Bergen. He lived many years in Rådal in the previous Fana commune where his house Siljustøl is now a museum.

1915 Sæverud began his education at the Music Academy in Bergen. He studied piano and music theory with Borghild Holmsen, a recognized pianist and composer with a degree from the Conservatory of Music in Leipzig. After finishing his studies in Bergen Sæverud went to Berlin (1920-1921) and Paris ( 1925).

Sæveruds music, which consists exclusively of instrumental works can be divided into two main categories: works for piano and orchestral works. Among his orchestral works, there are nine symphonies, concertos for oboe, violin, piano and trombone as well as some smaller mostly one-movement works. His music to Ibsen's Peer Gynt is considered an "anti -romantic " counterpart to Edvard Grieg's music known to the same drama.

Moreover, it is difficult to assign a certain style Sæveruds music. It is often counted among the atonalists, although many of his works are clearly tonal. His frequent use of dissonance, predominantly linear set of techniques and unconventional melody developments are perhaps what one might consider most likely to be typical of his music. Also covered in some works, especially in the symphonic, very original formal solutions. Although Sæverud willingly let herself be inspired by Norwegian folk music in melodic and rhythmic ways, most of his works act ( in contrast to those of his contemporaries Geirr Tveitt ) hardly folkloristic. He also did not use original folk melodies.

Sæverud was Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart and Joseph Haydn as his main sources of inspiration.

Harald Sæverud died at 94 years. He was the father of the composer Ketil Hvoslef.

Siljustøl Museum

The Sijustøl Museum in Rådal is a museum dedicated to the composer. It is next to the Edvard Grieg Museum at Troldhaugen linking of the Bergen Museum.