Egil Hovland
Encyclopedia
Egil Hovland is a Norwegian
composer.
Hovland was born in Råde
. He studied at the Oslo
conservatory with Arild Sandvold and Bjarne Brustad
, in Copenhagen
with Vagn Holmboe
, in Tanglewood
with Aaron Copland
, and in Florence
with Luigi Dallapiccola
. He has been the organist and choir
leader
in Fredrikstad
since 1949. He composed two symphonies
, a concerto
for trumpet and strings, a Music for ten instruments, a set of Variations for two pianos, a Lament
for orchestra. His sacred works include a Norwegian Te Deum, a Gloria
, a Magnificat
, and numerous works for organ, and he is one of the most noted church composers of Norway.
He wrote in diverse styles, including Norwegian-Romantic
, Gregorian
, neo-classical
, twelve-tone, aleatoric, and serial
. In honor of his work as a composer and organist, in 1983 he was knighted into the Royal Norwegian Order of St. Olav
. In 1992 he received the Fritt Ord Honorary Award. He is one of the most productive contemporary Norwegian composers.
Norway
Norway , officially the Kingdom of Norway, is a Nordic unitary constitutional monarchy whose territory comprises the western portion of the Scandinavian Peninsula, Jan Mayen, and the Arctic archipelago of Svalbard and Bouvet Island. Norway has a total area of and a population of about 4.9 million...
composer.
Hovland was born in Råde
Råde
Råde is a municipality in Østfold county, Norway. The administrative centre of the municipality is the village of Karlshus. The parish of Raade was established as a municipality on 1 January 1838 ....
. He studied at the Oslo
Oslo
Oslo is a municipality, as well as the capital and most populous city in Norway. As a municipality , it was established on 1 January 1838. Founded around 1048 by King Harald III of Norway, the city was largely destroyed by fire in 1624. The city was moved under the reign of Denmark–Norway's King...
conservatory with Arild Sandvold and Bjarne Brustad
Bjarne Brustad
Bjarne Brustad was a Norwegian composer, violinist and violist. He played with symphonic orchestras in Stavanger and Oslo. In the 1920s he travelled to European cities such as Paris, Munich and Berlin, where he received musical inspiration and contacts...
, in Copenhagen
Copenhagen
Copenhagen is the capital and largest city of Denmark, with an urban population of 1,199,224 and a metropolitan population of 1,930,260 . With the completion of the transnational Øresund Bridge in 2000, Copenhagen has become the centre of the increasingly integrating Øresund Region...
with Vagn Holmboe
Vagn Holmboe
Vagn Gylding Holmboe was a Danish composer and teacher who wrote largely in a neo-classical style.-Life:At the age of 16, Holmboe began formal music training at the Royal Danish Academy of Music in Copenhagen on the recommendation of Carl Nielsen. He studied under Knud Jeppesen and Finn Høffding...
, in Tanglewood
Tanglewood
Tanglewood is an estate and music venue in Lenox and Stockbridge, Massachusetts. It is the home of the annual summer Tanglewood Music Festival and the Tanglewood Jazz Festival, and has been the Boston Symphony Orchestra's summer home since 1937. It was the venue of the Berkshire Festival.- History...
with Aaron Copland
Aaron Copland
Aaron Copland was an American composer, composition teacher, writer, and later in his career a conductor of his own and other American music. He was instrumental in forging a distinctly American style of composition, and is often referred to as "the Dean of American Composers"...
, and in Florence
Florence
Florence is the capital city of the Italian region of Tuscany and of the province of Florence. It is the most populous city in Tuscany, with approximately 370,000 inhabitants, expanding to over 1.5 million in the metropolitan area....
with Luigi Dallapiccola
Luigi Dallapiccola
Luigi Dallapiccola was an Italian composer known for his lyrical twelve-tone compositions.-Biography:Dallapiccola was born at Pisino d'Istria , to Italian parents....
. He has been the organist and choir
Choir
A choir, chorale or chorus is a musical ensemble of singers. Choral music, in turn, is the music written specifically for such an ensemble to perform.A body of singers who perform together as a group is called a choir or chorus...
leader
Conducting
Conducting is the art of directing a musical performance by way of visible gestures. The primary duties of the conductor are to unify performers, set the tempo, execute clear preparations and beats, and to listen critically and shape the sound of the ensemble...
in Fredrikstad
Fredrikstad
is a city and municipality in Østfold county, Norway. The administrative centre of the municipality is the city of Fredrikstad....
since 1949. He composed two symphonies
Symphony
A symphony is an extended musical composition in Western classical music, scored almost always for orchestra. A symphony usually contains at least one movement or episode composed according to the sonata principle...
, a concerto
Concerto
A concerto is a musical work usually composed in three parts or movements, in which one solo instrument is accompanied by an orchestra.The etymology is uncertain, but the word seems to have originated from the conjunction of the two Latin words...
for trumpet and strings, a Music for ten instruments, a set of Variations for two pianos, a Lament
Lament
A lament or lamentation is a song, poem, or piece of music expressing grief, regret, or mourning.-History:Many of the oldest and most lasting poems in human history have been laments. Laments are present in both the Iliad and the Odyssey, and laments continued to be sung in elegiacs accompanied by...
for orchestra. His sacred works include a Norwegian Te Deum, a Gloria
Gloria in Excelsis Deo
"Gloria in excelsis Deo" is the title and beginning of a hymn known also as the Greater Doxology and the Angelic Hymn. The name is often abbreviated to Gloria in Excelsis or simply Gloria.It is an example of the psalmi idiotici "Gloria in excelsis Deo" (Latin for "Glory to God in the highest")...
, a Magnificat
Magnificat
The Magnificat — also known as the Song of Mary or the Canticle of Mary — is a canticle frequently sung liturgically in Christian church services. It is one of the eight most ancient Christian hymns and perhaps the earliest Marian hymn...
, and numerous works for organ, and he is one of the most noted church composers of Norway.
He wrote in diverse styles, including Norwegian-Romantic
Norwegian romantic nationalism
Norwegian romantic nationalism was a movement in Norway between 1840 and 1867 in art, literature, and popular culture that emphasized the aesthetics of Norwegian nature and the uniqueness of the Norwegian national identity...
, Gregorian
Gregorian chant
Gregorian chant is the central tradition of Western plainchant, a form of monophonic liturgical music within Western Christianity that accompanied the celebration of Mass and other ritual services...
, neo-classical
Neoclassicism (music)
Neoclassicism in music was a twentieth-century trend, particularly current in the period between the two World Wars, in which composers sought to return to aesthetic precepts associated with the broadly defined concept of "classicism", namely order, balance, clarity, economy, and emotional restraint...
, twelve-tone, aleatoric, and serial
Serialism
In music, serialism is a method or technique of composition that uses a series of values to manipulate different musical elements. Serialism began primarily with Arnold Schoenberg's twelve-tone technique, though his contemporaries were also working to establish serialism as one example of...
. In honor of his work as a composer and organist, in 1983 he was knighted into the Royal Norwegian Order of St. Olav
The Royal Norwegian Order of St. Olav
The Royal Norwegian Order of St. Olav is a Norwegian order of chivalry that was instituted by King Oscar I of Norway and Sweden on August 21, 1847, as a distinctly Norwegian order. It is named after King Olav II, known for posterity as St. Olav. Nobility was abolished in Norway in 1821...
. In 1992 he received the Fritt Ord Honorary Award. He is one of the most productive contemporary Norwegian composers.
Works for orchestra
- 1951 Festival Ouverture opus 18
- 1952-1953 Symfonie No. 1 - "Symphonia Veris" opus 20
- 1954-1955 Symfonie No. 2 opus 24
- 1955 Concertino for 3 Trumpets and Strings opus 23
- 1962 Concert Ouverture for Orchestra, opus 39b
- 1963 Lamenti per orchestra opus 43
- 1967 Fanfare and Choral for orchestra opus 54b
- 1968 Lilja - (Salomos høysang) opus 61, for speaker and orchestra
- 1969 Rhapsody for Symphony Orchestra opus 65
- 1970 Third Symphony for recitor, mixed choir, and orchestra, opus 30 - Text: from the BibleBibleThe Bible refers to any one of the collections of the primary religious texts of Judaism and Christianity. There is no common version of the Bible, as the individual books , their contents and their order vary among denominations...
and O. Medbøe - 1970 The Most Beautiful Rose for speaker, 4 sopranos, orchestra, organ, and piano - Text: Hans Christian AndersenHans Christian AndersenHans Christian Andersen was a Danish author, fairy tale writer, and poet noted for his children's stories. These include "The Steadfast Tin Soldier," "The Snow Queen," "The Little Mermaid," "Thumbelina," "The Little Match Girl," and "The Ugly Duckling."...
- 1972 Concerto for Trombone and Orchestra opus 76
- 1974 Concerto for Violin and Orchestra opus 81
- 1975 Noël-variations for orchestra, opus 84
- 1976-1977 Concerto No.1 for Piano and Orchestra opus 91
- 1978 Tombeau de Bach suite, opus 95
- 1980 Intrada opus 105, for mixed choir (SATB), congregation, 2 brass ensembles (3 horns, 3 trumpets, 6 trombones, 2 tubas), orchestra, tympani, percussion, and organ - Text: D. Welander
- 1983 Danses de la mort opus 127 for orchestra
- 1986 Concerto for Piccolo Flute and Strings opus 117
- 1996 Concerto für Oboe und Orchester, opus 150
- 1996-1997 Concerto for viola and orchestra, opus 153
- 2000 De Profundis for baritone und orchestra
- 1962/1974 August opus 34 Nr. 4, for singer and orchestra - Text: J. Handagard
Works for wind ensemble
- 1962 Festival ouverture opus 39a
- 1966 Fanfare and Choral for Band opus 54a
Masses, cantatas, and sacred music
- 1962/1979 Gloria opus 40, for mixed choir (SATB), 2 trumpets, 2 horns, 3 trombones and tuba
- 1965 Litany to the Feast by the Birth of Christ opus 49, for speaker, soprano, mixed choir (SATB), orchestra and organ - text: S. Ellingsen
- 1966-1967 Rorate for 5 sopranos, organ, tape, chamber orchestra and percussion, opus 55
- 1967 Choral Cantata on a Norwegian Hymn choral cantata, opus 57, for mixed choir (SATB) and string orchestra
- 1967 Missa vigilate opus 59, for solo soprano, solo baritone, mixed choir (SATB), dancers, organ and tape
- 1968 Uppståndelsemässa opus 60, for mixed choir (SATB), 2 organs, 3 trumpets, 3 trombones, celebrant, and congregation
- 1970 Vox populi IV Introitus- och ordinarie-sånger, opus 68, for children's choir, mixed choir (SATB), congregation, 2 organs, instruments ad lib.
- 1970 Allehelgensmesse opus 70, for soprano, mixed choir (SATB), organ, 3 trumpets, 3 trombones, celebrant, congregation - text: Olav Hillestad
- 1971 Missa brevis opus 73, for mixed choir (SATB), organ, celebrant, congregation - text: Olaf Hillestad
- 1972/2000 Brønnen church opera in 2 acts, op. 77
- 1973 Missa misericordiae for mixed choir, opus 80
- 1974 Kyrkans eviga lovsång opus 82, for three mixed choirs, 2 horns, 2 trombones, tuba, bells and organ
- 1980 Meditation opus 115, for speaker, mixed choir (SATB), congregation, organ, and orchestra
- 1982 Pilgrimsmesse opus 111, for mixed choir (SATB), organ, 3 flugelhorns, 2 horns, 3 trombones, tuba, celebrant, congregation - text: Britt G. Hallqvist / Eyvind SkeieEyvind SkeieEyvind Skeie is a Norwegian priest and author.Skeie is a trained theologian from the MF Norwegian School of Theology and was ordained in 1974. He was chaplain in Tromsø from 1975 to 1980, then worked for Oslo City Mission from 1980 to 1985, and was chaplain in Oslo Cathedral from 1984 to 1985...
- 1984 Preludier og satser til Inngangssalmer opus 130, for mixed choir (SATB), organ, 2 trumpets, 2 trombones and flute (ad lib)
- 1990 Sammen for Guds ansikt opus 143, for mixed choir (SATB), organ, 3 trumpets, 2 horns, 2 trombones, bass trombone and tuba
- 1991 Herre, du omgir meg Music for the Opening Procession at the Blessing of King Harald V in the Nidaros CathedralNidaros CathedralNidaros Cathedral is a Church of Norway cathedral located in the city of Trondheim in Sør-Trøndelag county, Norway. It was the cathedral of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Nidaros from its establishment in 1152 until its abolition in 1537. Since the Reformation, it has been the cathedral of the...
in OsloOsloOslo is a municipality, as well as the capital and most populous city in Norway. As a municipality , it was established on 1 January 1838. Founded around 1048 by King Harald III of Norway, the city was largely destroyed by fire in 1624. The city was moved under the reign of Denmark–Norway's King...
, 23 June 1991, opus 139, for two mixed choirs (SATB), youth choir, 4 horns, 4 trombones, 3 trumpets, organ and tympani - 1991 Dette er dagen som Herren har gjort Music for the Final Procession at the Blessing of King Harald V in the Nidaros CathedralNidaros CathedralNidaros Cathedral is a Church of Norway cathedral located in the city of Trondheim in Sør-Trøndelag county, Norway. It was the cathedral of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Nidaros from its establishment in 1152 until its abolition in 1537. Since the Reformation, it has been the cathedral of the...
in OsloOsloOslo is a municipality, as well as the capital and most populous city in Norway. As a municipality , it was established on 1 January 1838. Founded around 1048 by King Harald III of Norway, the city was largely destroyed by fire in 1624. The city was moved under the reign of Denmark–Norway's King...
, 23 June 1991, opus 139, for mixed choir (SATB), 4 horns, 4 trombones, 3 trumpets, organ and tympani - 1994 Diakoni-messe opus 145b, for mixed choir (SATB), 2 trumpets, 2 trombones, organ, congregation and liturgical recitation
- 1995 Stå opp, Jerusalem, bli lys Bibelsk salme for mixed choir and instruments (ad. lib.), opus 107, nr 22
- 1998 Muziek voor een familie-miss opus 88
- 1999 Fred! Det er jeg cantata, opus 165
- 2001 Jeg er Herrens tjenerinne for choir, instruments, and joining singers ad lib., opus 146 nr. 6
- Du såg mig Variationer kring psaltarpsalm 139, opus 155, for soprano solo, alto solo, two mixed choirs (SATB), 2 trumpets, 2 trombones, percussion, organ and congregation ad lib
- Missa verbi opus 78, for mixed choir (SATB), 3 trumpets, 3 horns, 3 trombones, tuba, organ, celebrant, congregation - text: K.Hafstad; Olav Hillestad; J.Smemo
- Stay With Us(orig. 'Bliv hos os') -- from the oratorio or 'church opera' FANGE OG FRI, translated into English as "Captive and Free" -- for mixed choir (SATB) and string orchestra
Works for choir
- 1968 How long, o Lord opus 58, for mixed choir - text: Psalm 13
- 1986 Return, My Soul motet, opus 87 No 5, for choir (SATB), soprano solo - text: Psalm 116: 7, 5, 8, 3, 4
- 1989 Det finnes en dyrebar rose for mixed choir - text: Svein Ellingsen
- 1990-1991 Credo opus 137 no 1, for mixed choir
- 1993 Min sjel tørster etter Gud Biblical Psalm, for choir (SATB), congregation, ad lib: 2 trumpets, 2 trombones, violin and organ - text: Psalm 42
- Dag over Norge for mixed choir - text: Andreas Hansen
- De salige motet for mixed choir - text: Matthew 5, 7-8
- De ydmyke : motet for mixed choir - tekst: Luke 1, 51-53 and 14, 11
- Den som ber, han får for choir (SATB) and organ ad lib. - text: Luke 11, 10, 13
- Herre, vår Herre motet for mixed choir - text: Psalms 8, 2 ; John 3, 14-15
- Hosianna i det høyeste motet for mixed choir - text: Mark 11, 10 ; John 12, 24 ; Isaiah 53, 12
- Jerusalem for mixed choir - text: Luke 19, 42-44 (English translation: Leland B. Sateren)
- Talsmannen, Den Hellige Ånd for mixed choir - text: John 14, 26, 23 and 15, 5
- The Law and the Prophets for mixed choir - text: Bible
Vocal music with piano or organ
- 1962 Gloria opus 40b
- 1962 O store Gud vi lover deg Choral cantata, opus 41b, for choir (SATB), organ, congregation - text: Landstads reviderte salmebok No 31
- 1964 Lovad vare Herren, Israels Gud - text: Luke 1, 68.
- 1971 Saul! opus 74, for mixed choir (SATB), speaker and organ - text: Bible
- 1978 Be with us for soprano and piano, opus 87 No 3 - text: Luke 24, 29 and John 2, 3-10
- Cantate Domino Introit, opus 38
- Gloria in excelsis Deo motet, opus 5 no 1
- Jubilate for mixed choir (SATB), organ, solo singer - text: Psalms 66, 1-3
- Sing the Joyful Sound for mixed choir (SATB), children's choir, congregation and organ
Chamber music
- 1950 Suite for flute and piano, opus 15
- 1959 Suite for flute and percussion, opus 31
- 1965 Trio for violin, cello and piano, opus 48
Works for organ
- 1947 Chorale Partita No. 1 opus 7
- 1948 Improvisata - Hymnus in Honorem Sancti Magni, Comitis Orcadiæ opus 9
- 1954-1956 Suite for Organ No 1 opus 21
- Klippe du som brast for meg
- O bli hos meg
- 1959 Chorale Partita No. 3 opus 32
- 1965 Elementa pro organo opus 52
- Introitus
- Improvisation
- Ostinato
- Passacaglia
- Completorium.
- 1967 Chorale Partita No. 5 opus 56
- 1969-1970 Four Interludes to "Missa Vigilate" opus 67
- 1973 Job suite no. 2 voor orgel, opus 79
- 1973 Nu la oss takke Gud Organ Toccata
- 1975 Chorale Partita No. 6 - "Gelobt sei Gott im höchsten Thron" opus 90
- 1978/1993 Hosanna for organ, opus 135, No. 2
- 1979 Crux Ave - Variationen über "Jerusalem, du hochgebaute Stadt" Organ partita VII
- 1981 Il canto del mare per organo opus 114
- 1982 Cantus V for trombone and organ, opus 120
- 1989 Lux aeterna for Organ
- 5 Chorale Preludes
- Chorale Partita No. 2 opus 10
- Interlude from the Opera "Brunnen"
- Organ Chorales Volume 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 en 6
- Orgel-Te Deum opus 8
- 100 Psalm Preludes
Works for piano
- 1992 Dette er dagen som Herren har gjort Utgangsmusikk ved signingsgudstjenesten i Nidarosdomen 23 June 1991, opus 139
- 1995 Getsemane Parafrase for piano over en melodi av Asa Hull, opus 29, no. 5
- In memoriam Paraphrase for Piano on the Hymn "Jordens Gud, stjärnornas Herre", opus 154
- Little Babe opus 29, no. 4
- Rondino for Piano opus 29 no. 2
- Scherzo opus 29 no. 1
Books
- Norsk Musikforlag: Egil Hovland: Et liv med musikk - (Het leven met muziek). Norsk Musikforlag, Oslo. 1994. 152 pages. ISBN 82-7093-265-5
- Norsk Musikforlag: Festskrift til Egil Hovland på 50-årsdagen, 18 oktober 1974 Norsk Musikforlag, Oslo. 1974. 180 pages
- Egil Hovland: Stay With Us (St. Olaf Choral Series). Augsburg Fortress Publishers. 2001. ISBN 0-8006-5882-5