Holmboe, Vagn
Holmboe, Vagn
Holmboe, Vagn, eminent Danish composer and pedagogue; b. Horsens, Jutland, Dec. 20, 1909. He was a student of Haffding and Jeppesen at the Copenhagen Cons. (1925–29), and then of Toch at the Berlin Hochschule für Musik (1930). After pursuing ethnomusico-logical research in Romania (1933–34), he returned to Copenhagen as a private teacher. He taught at the Royal Danish Inst. for the Blind (1940–49), and also was a music critic for the newspaper Politiken (1947–55). In 1950 he became a teacher at the Royal Danish Cons, of Music in Copenhagen, where he subsequently was a prof, of theory and composition from 1955 to 1965. He held a lifetime government grant to pursue composition. He publ. Mellemspil (Interlude; Copenhagen, 1961) and Det Uforklarlige (Copenhagen, 1981; Eng. tr., 1991, as Experiencing Music: A Composer’s Notes). As the leading Danish composer in the post-Nielsen era, Holmboe pursued a neo-Classical style in which he displayed a thorough command of counterpoint and instrumentation. His symphonic compositions are notable for their development of “germ themes” which grow metamorphically. In addition to his important contribution to the symphony, he also composed an outstanding series of string quartets.
Works
dramatic:Fanden og borgemesteren (The Devil and the Mayor), symphonic fairy play (1940); Den gals-indede tyrk, ballet (1942–44); Lave og Jon, opera (1946–18); Kniven (The Knife), chamber opera (1959-60; Copenhagen, Dec. 2, 1963); music for plays, films, and radio. ORCH.: Concerto for Orchestra (1929); Concerto for Chamber Orch. (1931; Copenhagen, April 3, 1933); Chamber Music No. 1 for Small Orch. (1931) and No. 2 for Strings (1932); Divertimento No. 1 (Copenhagen, March 29, 1933) and No. 2 for Strings (1933; Copenhagen, Jan. 31, 1944); Concerto for Strings (1933); 3 suites for Chamber Orch.: No. 1 (1935; Copenhagen, March 30, 1936), No. 2 (1935-36; Copenhagen, April 20, 1939), and No. 3 (1936; Copenhagen, Nov. 23, 1938); Chamber Sonata No. 1 (1935); 13 numbered syms.: No. 1 (1935; Ârhus, Feb. 21, 1938), No. 2 (1938-39; Copenhagen, Dec. 5, 1939), No. 3, Sinfonia Rustica (1941; Copenhagen, June 12, 1948), No. 4, Sinfonia Sacra (1941; rev. version, Copenhagen, Sept. 11, 1945), No. 5 (1944; Copenhagen, June 16, 1945), No. 6 (1947; Copenhagen, Jan. 8, 1948), No. 7 (1950; Copenhagen, Oct. 18, 1951), No. 8, Sinfonia Boreale (1951-52; Copenhagen, March 5, 1953), No. 9 (Copenhagen, Dec. 19, 1968), No. 10 (1970-71; Detroit, Jan. 27, 1972), No. 11 (1980; Copenhagen, Feb. 17, 1983), No. 12 (1988; Cardiff, Oct. 21, 1989), and No. 13 (1994); Romanian Suite for Piano and Chamber Orch. (1935) and Romanian Suite for Chamber Orch. (1938); Rhapsody for Flute and Chamber Orch. (1935); Little Overture (1936; Copenhagen, March 16, 1938); Serenade (1936; Copenhagen, Oct. 21, 1939); Concerto Sym. for Violin and Orch. (1937); 2 violin concertos (1938, 1979); 2 unnumbered concertinos (1938, Copenhagen, June 6, 1941; 1957, Copenhagen, Sept. 28, 1958); 13 chamber concertos: No. 1 for Piano, Strings, and Percussion (1939; Copenhagen, March 5, 1941), No. 2 for Flute, Violin, Celesta, Percussion, and Strings (1940; Copenhagen, April 21, 1942), No. 3 for Clarinet, 2 Trumpets, 2 Horns, and Strings (1940), No. 4, Triple Concerto, for Violin, Cello, Piano, and Chamber Orch. (1942; Copenhagen, March 22, 1943), No. 5 for Viola and Chamber Orch. (1943; Copenhagen, Feb. 14, 1946), No. 6 for Violin and Chamber Orch. (1943; Copenhagen, Dec. 12, 1944), No. 7 for Oboe and Chamber Orch. (1944-45; Copenhagen, Jan. 29, 1948), No. 8, Sinfonia Concertante, for Chamber Orch. (1945; Copenhagen, July 26, 1947), No. 9 for Violin, Viola, and Chamber Orch. (1945-6; Copenhagen, Oct. 26, 1954), No. 10, Trae-messing-tarm, for Chamber Orch. (1945-46; Randers, April 26, 1946), No. 11 for Trumpet, 2 Horns, and Strings (1948; Copenhagen, April 8, 1949), No. 12 for Trombone and Chamber Orch. (1951; Copenhagen, May 23, 1952), and No. 13, Collegium musicum concerto No. 2, for Oboe, Viola, and Chamber Orch. (1955-56; Randers, Nov. 6, 1958); 2 numbered concertinos: No.1 for Violin, Viola, and Strings (1940; Copenhagen, Sept. 16, 1963) and No. 2 for Violin and Strings (1940; Copenhagen, June 12, 1948); Symphonic Overture (1941; Copenhagen, April 13, 1943); 3 chamber syms: No. 1 (Copenhagen, March 9, 1951), No.2 (1968; Copenhagen, Jan. 20, 1969), and No. 3 (1969-70; Àlborg, Oct. 14, 1970); 2 unnumbered sinfonias: Sinfonia in memoriam (1954-55; Copenhagen, May 5, 1955) and Sinfonia Sielariana (1964); 4 symphonic metamorphoses: Epitaph (London, Dec. 28, 1956); Monolith (Àrhus, Sept. 9, 1960); Epilogue (1961-62; Göteborg, Nov. 23, 1962); and Tempo Variable (1971-72; Bergen, May 24, 1972); 4 sinfonias for Strings: No. 1 (1957; Copenhagen, July 3, 1958), No. 2 (1957; Ârhus, Nov. 20, 1958), No. 3 (1958-59; Àrhus, Jan. 22, 1962), and No. 4 (1962; Ârhus, Jan. 27, 1964); Skoven (1960; Randers, May 2, 1961); Cello Concerto (1974); Recorder Concerto (1974); 2 flute concertos (1975, 1981); Tuba Concerto (1976); Concerto for Brass (1984); Intermezzo Concertante for Tuba and Strings (1987); Prelude: To the Victoria Embankment for Chamber Orch. (1990). CHAMBER: Trio for Flute and 2 Violins (1926; also for 3 Violins); String Quintet (1928); Quartet for Flute, Oboe, Viola, and Cello (1930); Allegro sostenuto for Piano and Violin (1931); 5 Duets for Flute and Viola (1932); 7 Duos for Flute and Horn (1932); 4 Duos for Flute and Trombone (1932); Trio for Oboe, Bassoon, and Horn (1932–39); Quintet for Flute, Oboe, Clarinet, Bassoon, and Horn (Copenhagen, Oct. 30, 1933); 3 violin sonatas: No. 1 (Lund, Nov. 13, 1935), No. 2 (1939; Copenhagen, Jan. 16, 1942), and No. 3 (Brussels, May 4, 1965); Serenade for Flute, Clarinet, and Bassoon (1935); Rhapsody for Clarinet and Violin (1936); Quartet for Flute, Violin, Cello, and Piano (1936; Paris, July 1937); Quintet for Flute, Oboe, Clarinet, Violin, and Viola (1936; Copenhagen, July 24, 1939); Rhapsodic Interlude for Clarinet, Piano, and Violin (1938); Serenade for Flute, Piano, Violin, and Cello (1940; Vienna, March 25, 1949); Notturno for Flute, Oboe, Clarinet, Bassoon, and Horn (Copenhagen, Nov. 2, 1940); 20 string quartets: No. 1 (1941-44; rev. 1949), No. 2 (1948-49; Copenhagen, Jan. 31, 1950), No. 3 (1949-50; Copenhagen, Nov. 18, 1950), No. 4 (1953-54; Copenhagen, Jan. 8, 1955; rev. 1956), No. 5 (1955; Kolding, Feb. 20, 1956), No. 6 (1961; Hindsgavl, Aug. 1962), No. 7 (1964-65; Birkerod, Sept. 27, 1965), No. 8 (Frederiksberg, Dec. 14, 1965), No. 9 (1965-66; Horsens, Aug. 23, 1967; rev. 1969), No. 10 (1969; Göteborg, April 7, 1970), No. 11, Quartetto rustico (Soro, March 8, 1972), No. 12 (Hillerod, Nov. 19, 1973), No. 13 (1975), No. 14 (1975), No. 15 (1976–77), No. 16 (1981), No. 17, Mattinata (1982), No. 18, Giornata (1982), No. 19, Serata (1985), and No. 20, Notturno (1985); Isomerie duo concertante for 2 Violins and Piano (Copenhagen, July 20, 1950); Primavera for Flute, Piano, Violin, and Cello (1951; Copenhagen, Oct. 24, 1952); Sonata for Solo Violin (1953); Trio for Piano, Violin, and Cello (1954; Copenhagen, Oct. 24, 1956); Quartetto medico for Flute, Oboe, Clarinet, and Piano (1956); Sonata for Solo Flute (1957); Aspekter for Flute, Oboe, Clarinet, Bassoon, and Horn (1957; Copenhagen, April 9, 1958); Tropos for 2 Violins, 2 Violas, and Cello (Kongens Lyngby, Oct. 9, 1960); Quintet for Horn, 2 Trumpets, Trombone, and Tuba (1961); Sonata for Solo Double Bass (1962); Sonata for Violin and Viola (1963); Quartet for Flute, Violin, Viola, and Cello (Hindsgavl, July 15, 1966); Oboe Sonatina (1966); Trio for Flute, Cello, and Percussion (Kongens Lyngby, Oct. 8, 1968); Sonata for Solo Cello (1968–69); Musik til Morten for Oboe and String Quartet (Humlebaek, Nov. 17, 1970); Fanden los i vild-mosen for Clarinet, 2 Violins, and Double Bass (Vra, July 30, 1971); Ondata for Tuned Gongs (1972); Sextet for Flute, Clarinet, Bassoon, Violin, Viola, and Cello (1972-73; Odense, Nov. 13, 1973); Diafora for 4 Strings (1973); Nuigen for Piano, Violin, and Cello (1976); Firefir for 4 Flutes (1976–77); Trio for Clarinet, Cello, and Piano (1978); Notes for 3 Trombones and Tuba (1979); 2 guitar sonatas (1979, 1979); Sonata for Recorder and Harpsichord (1980); Gioco for Violin, Viola, and Cello (1983); Ballata for Violin, Viola, Cello, and Piano (1984); Tuba Sonata (1986); Prelude: To a Pine Tree for Chamber Ensemble (1986); Quintet for 2 Violins, Viola, Cello, and Double Bass (1986); Prelude: To a Dolphin for Chamber Ensemble (1986); Duo concertante for Violin and Guitar (1986); Prelude: To a Maple Tree for Chamber Ensemble (1986); Prelude: To a Willow Tree for Chamber Ensemble (1987); Trombone Sonata (1987); Translation for Violin, Viola, Cello, Double Bass, and Piano (1987; rev. 1989); Capriccio for Clarinet and Piano (1988); Sonata for Solo Viola (1988); Prelude: To the Pollution of Nature for Chamber Ensemble (1989); Epos for 2 Pianos and Percussion (1990); Eco for Clarinet, Cello, and Piano (1991); Prelude: To the Unsettled Weather for Chamber Ensemble (1993). keyboard: piano:Scherzo (1928); 12 Little Pieces (1928–29); Chorale Fantasy (1929); Sonata (1929); 4 Pieces (1930); Symphony for Piano (1930); 5 Pieces (1930); 5 1-and 2-part Pieces (1930); Allegro affetuoso (1931); Little Pieces (1931; also for Recorders); Pieces (1931); 1-, 2-, and 3-part Pieces (1931); Julen (1931); Concerto for Piano (1931); Suites and Dances (1931); 7 Preludes (1932); Capriccio (1932); 6 Pieces (1933); 6 Sketches (1934); 10 Romanian Dances (1934); Suite (1937); New Pieces (1937);Danish Suite (1937; also for Orch.); 6 Pieces (1939); Étude (1939); Sonatina briosa (1941); 5 Epigrams (1942); Suona da bardo, suite (1949–50); Moto austero (1965); Moto austero (1972); I venti (1972). Organ: Fabula I (1972) and li (1973); Contrasti (1972). VOCAL: Requiem for Soloists, Chorus, and Orch. (1931); Provinsen for Soloists, Chorus, Flute, Oboe, Violin, and Cello (1931); 12 cantatas, including: No. 2 for Chorus and Orch. (Horsens, Dec. 19, 1941), No. 3 for Voices and Strings (Horsens, June 28, 1942), No. 4 for Voices and Orch. (1942-45; Copenhagen, Nov. 26, 1945), No. 6 for Chorus and Orch. (1947), No. 7 for Sopranos, Women’s Voices, and Orch. or 2 Pianos (Copenhagen, Oct. 27, 1949), No. 8 for Baritones, Bass, Reciter, and Strings (1951; Falster, May 1, 1952), No. 9 for Women’s Voices, Violin, Cello, Flute, and 2 Pianos (Randers, April 28, 1955), No. 10 for Mixed Voices (1957; Copenhagen, July 2, 1958), No. 11 for Baritone, Mezzo-soprano, Chorus, and Orch. (1958), and No. 12 for Mezzo-soprano, Contralto, Baritone, Chorus, and Orch. (1958-59; Ârhus, Sept. 11, 1959); Arhundredstjernen for Baritone, Chorus, and Orch. (1946; Copenhagen, March 18, 1947); Liber canticorum I-IV for Mixed Voices (1951–53); Traeet for Chorus and Chamber Orch. (1953); Requiem for Nietzsche for Alto, Tenor, Baritone, Chorus, and Orch. (1963; Copenhagen, Nov. 26, 1964); Zeit for Alto and String Quartet (1966); Beatus Vir: Liber canticorum V for Mixed Voices (1968); Cantata profana Frise for Mixed Voices (1970); Edward for Baritone and Orch. (1971); The Wee, Wee Man for Tenor and Orch. or Mixed Voices (1971–72); Beatus parvo for Mixed Voices and Orch. (1973); Biblical Cantata for Soloists, Chorus, and Orch. (1982); Ode to the Soul for Chorus and Brass (1985); Winter for Soprano and Chorus (1989); Die Erfüllung for Soprano, Baritone, 2 Choruses, and 9 Winds (1990}; many choruses and solo songs.
Bibliography
P. Rapoport, V. H.: A Catalogue of His Music, Discog-raphy, Bibliography, Essays (London, 1974; 2nd. ed., rev. and enl., Copenhagen, 1979); idem, V. H.’s Symphonic Metamorphoses (diss., Univ. of III, 1975).
—Nicolas Slonimsky/Laura Kuhn/Dennis McIntire