Johnsen, Hallvard Olav

Johnsen, Hallvard Olav, Norwegian flutist and composer; b. Hamburg (of Norwegian parents), June 27, 1916. He studied flute with Stenseth and Wang, conducting with Fjeldstad, harmony and counterpoint with Steenberg, and composition with Brustad at the Oslo Cons. (1930-41), and then studied composition with Karl Andersen in Oslo (1942-15), and later with Holmboe in Copenhagen (1956). He was a flutist in the orch. of the National Theater in Oslo (1945-47) and played in military bands (1947-73). His style of composition evolved from late Romanticism to free tonal techniques.

Works

dramatic: Opera: The Legend of Svein and Maria (1971; Oslo, Sept. 9, 1973); Det Kjempende Menneske (1982); Nattergalen (1991). ORCH.: 2 suites for Chamber Orch. (1939, 1947); Fantasia (Serenade) for Chamber Orch. (1947); 23 syms. (1949; Pastorale, 1954; 1957; 1959; 1960; 1961; 1962; 1964; 1968; 1973; 1975; 1976; 1983; 1985; 1987; 1989; 1991; 1993; Oceano, 1994; 1996; 1997; 1998; 1999); Ouverture Festivo (1954); Concerto for Flute and Strings (1955); Concerto for Violin and Chamber Orch. (1959); Trumpet Concerto (1966); Violin Concerto (1968); Ouverture Festoso (1971); Cello Concerto (1977); Norvegese alla Marcia for Symphonic Band (1986); Pastorale e Coral (1995). CHAMBER: Trio for Flute, Violin, and Viola (1938); Quartet No. 1 for Flute and String Trio (1945); 3 string quartets (1962, 1966, 1972); Serenade for Wind Quintet (1962); Suite for Flute and Horn (1964); Wind Quintet with Vibraphone (1965); Sextet for Flute, Horn, Vibraphone, Violin, Viola, and Cello (1974); Serenade for Flute, Viola, and Cello (1974); Saxophone Quartet (1974); Divertimento for Brass Quintet (1974); 3 brass quintets (1978-86); Trio for Trumpet, Trombone, and Vibraphone (1980); Pastorale for Flute, Violin, and Vibraphone (1981); Canzona for Trombone and Organ (1988); Septet for 2 Flutes, 3 Clarinets, and 2 Bassoons (1998); piano pieces. VOCAL: Norsk Natur (Norwegian Nature) for Chorus and Orch. (1952); 2 motets for Chorus (1959, 1965); Krosspâske, cantata for Baritone, Chorus, and Orch. (1963); Der Ligger et Land, cantata for Tenor, Men’s Chorus, and Orch. (1966); Fra Salmenes Bok, cantata for Chorus and Organ (1977); Logos, oratorio for 8 Solo Voices, Chorus, Organ, and Orch. (1979); 10 Psalms for Man’s Voice and Organ (1979); Bergammen, melodrama for Man’s Voice and Orch. (1980); Cantata for Voice and Orch. (1984); Såkornet for Narrator, 2 Violins, Viola, and Cello (1993).

—Nicolas Slonimsky/Laura Kuhn/Dennis McIntire