Kvam, Oddvar S(chirmer)
Kvam, Oddvar S(chirmer)
Kvam, Oddvar S(chirmer), Norwegian composer; b. Oslo, Sept. 9, 1927. He studied at the Oslo Cons. (1943–52), where he took a degree in harmony and counterpoint (1950) and received training in piano and theory. He also obtained a law degree from the Univ. of Oslo (1949). He later studied conducting with Griiner-Hegge (1955–57) and composition with David Monrad Johansen (1964–66) in Oslo, completing his training in composition with Herman Koppel in Copenhagen (1969). He practiced law while devoting much time to composition; was the first composer to hold the influential post of chairman of the Norwegian Arts Council (1985–88). Two of his orch. works, Prologue (1967) and Opening (1974), received awards at the inauguration of the Oslo Concert Hall in 1977. Kvam’s compositions tend to be free of tonally based strictures, yet they preserve a feeling of tonality.
Works
dramatic: Opera: The Dream of the 13th Hour (1986); The Cabinet, chamber opera (1989). orch.:Prologue (1967); Afterwards Everything Is Too Late (1967; rev. version for Narrator and Orch., 1977); Concert Overture (1969); 2 syms.: No. 1, 3 Contrasts (1972) and No. 2, Communication (1981); Dialogues for Oboe and Strings (1973; also for Oboe and Clarinet Quintet); Opening (1974); Suffragette for Piano and Orch. (1975); Legend for Strings (1975); Trim for School Orch. (1976); Ostinato festoso (1976); Vibrations (1976–82); From the Young People’s World for Orch., Percussion, and Electric Guitar (1978); Phoenix for Cello and Orch. (1988); Colors for Harmonica and Strings (1989); Towards the End (1989); Carpe Diem (1990–92); The Cycle of Life (1991); NORGEnuis for Piano and Orch. (1997). symphonic band:Concert March (1977); Flight 77 (1977); Blow Out! (1978); Vacation (1982); Apollonia (1983); Homecoming (1984); Sightseeing (1987); Downwards and Upwards (1987); The Winner (1995). chamber:Divertimento for Flute, Viola, and Cello (1971); 3 string quartets (1973, 1976, 1985); 3 Centrifuges for Wind Quintet (1975); Theme with Variations for Violin (1976); Trembling Trumpets for 4 Trumpets (1977); Drops for Flute and Harp (1977); 5 Monophonies, 2 for Each of the Woodwind Quintet Instruments (1977); Trio for Piano, Violin, and Cello (1979); Sonata for Clarinet and Percussion (1979); Ave Maria for Violin or Cello and Piano or Guitar (1981); Duo ostinato for Violin and Guitar (1981); Trio ostinato for Flute, Viola, and Guitar (1982); Prelude and Rondo for Violin (1983); Andando e tornando for 2 Violins (1984); Clarimpette for Clarinet and Trumpet (1985); Sunset for Violin and Organ (1988); Changes for Violin, Viola, and Cello (1988); 3 Stages for Flute, Oboe, Violin, and Cello (1992). piano:A Rather Ordinary Week (1960–68); 3 Mini Pieces for Piano, 4-Hands (1970–71); Encyclopedia (1976);12Proverbs (1976); Plastic Arts (1979); Hommage à Prokofiev (1983); Growing Influence (1983); 4 Hands across the Sea for Piano, 4-Hands (1984); Counterplay, suite (1994). vocal:Festival Cantata for Men’s Chorus and Orch. (1966); Epinikion for Chorus and Orch. (1971–75); Clarina the Clarinet, fairy tale for Narrator and Clarinet (1975); The Great Language for Chorus (1977); Psalmus XVIII for Chorus and Organ (1979); Come! for Chorus and Piano (1982); Querela pads for 2 Choruses and Orch. (1983); Born Anew for Chorus (1988); The Inauguration for Chorus and 2 Trumpets (1993–94); other choruses and songs.
—Nicolas Slonimsky/Laura Kuhn/Dennis McIntire