Gudmundsen-Holmgreen, Pelle

Gudmundsen-Holmgreen, Pelle, noted Danish composer; b. Copenhagen, Nov. 21, 1932. He received training in violin. After private theory and composition lessons with Høffding (1951-53), he continued his training at the Royal Danish Cons, of Music in Copenhagen (1953-58), where he studied theory, composition, and music history with Høffding and Westergaard, and instrumentation with Holmboe. From 1967 to 1973 he taught composition at the Royal Cons, of Music in Århus, and then devoted himself fully to composition. In 1973 he received the Carl Nielsen Prize. In 1980 he was awarded the Nordic Council Music Prize for his Sym. No. 3, Antifoni. After utilizing serial techniques, he developed an individual means of expression, a minimalist simplicity achieved through persistent repetition of notes and patterns.

Works

BALLET Den gamle mand (1976); Rituelle danse (1976); Flight (1981). ORCH.: Ouverture for Strings (1955); Lamento for Chamber Orctt (1957); Chronos for Chamber Orch. (1962); 3 syms.: No. 1 (1962-65), No. 2, Pa Rygmarven (1966), and No. 3, Antifoni (1974-77); Collegium Musicum Koncert for Chamber Orch. (1964); Mester Jakob/Frère Jacques for Chamber Orch. (1964); Repriser for Chamber Orch. (1965); 5 Pieces (1966); Tricolore I (1966), II (1966), III (1966), and IV (1969); Segnali for Wind Orch. (1966); Rerepriser for Chamber Orch. (1967); Stykke for stykke for Chamber Orch. (1968); Kvartet for 18 for Wind Orch. (1968); Spejl II (1973); Oktober for Chamber Orch. (1977); Mosaik for Chamber Orch. (1979); Triptykon, percussion concerto (1985); Naer og fjern for Chamber Orch. (1987); Concord for Chamber Orch. (1988); Concerto Grosso for String Quartet and Orch. (1990); Traffic (1994). CHAMBER: Variationer for Cello (1954); Nonet for Woodwind Quintet, 2 Percussion, and Piano (1958); 8 string quartets: No. 1 (1959), No. 2, Quartetto facile (1959), No. 3, 5 smd studier (1959), No. 4 (1967), No. 5, Step by Step (1982), No. 6, Parting (1983), No. 7, Parted (1984), and No. 8, Ground (1986); In Terra Pax for Clarinet, 2 Percussion, and Piano (1961); Kanon for 9 Instruments (1967); Plateaux pour deux for Percussion and Cello (1970); Terrasse for Woodwind Quintet (1970); So/o for Electric Guitar (1971-72); So Long for Electric Guitar (1972); Re-Cycling for 7 Instruments (1975); Kysset, ritual dance for 5 Percussion and Electric Guitar (1976; also for 6 Percussion); Passacaglia for Clarinet, Piano, Percussion, Violin, and Cello (1977); Trio, Møder og dromme (1979); Spejlstykker for Clarinet, Cello, and Piano (1980); reTurning for Flute, Clarinet, Percussion, Harp, and Piano (1987); Naer og fjern for Wind Quintet, String Quartet, and Double Bass (1987). KEYBOARD: Piano : Variations (1959); 3 Epigrams (1962); Pictures at an Exhibition (1968); For Piano (1992). Organ : Mirror III (1974). VOCAL: Wandering for Chorus (1956); Je ne me tairai jamais. Jamais for 12 Voices or Chorus, Narrator, and Chamber Ensemble (1966); Statements for Children’s Chorus or Equal Voices (1969); Examples for Chorus (1970); Yes-No for Double Chorus (1973); Light for 5 Solo Voices or Chorus and Organ (1976); Songs Without for Mezzo-soprano or Contralto and Piano (1976); Turn for Soprano, Bass Flute, Guitar, and Harp (1993).

—Nicolas Slonimsky/Laura Kuhn/Dennis McIntire