Lorentzen, Bent

Lorentzen, Bent, Danish composer; b. Stenvad, Feb. 11, 1935. He studied with Knud Jeppesen at the Univ. of Árhus and with Holmboe, Jersild, and Hffding at the Royal Danish Cons, of Music in Copenhagen (graduated, 1960), and worked at the Stockholm electronic music studio (1967–68). After teaching at the Árhus Cons. (1962–71), he settled in Copenhagen and devoted himself to composition; in 1982 he was awarded a State Grant for Life. Among his honors are the Prix Italia (1970) and first prizes in the “Homage to Kazimierz Serocki” International Competition (1984) and the Spittal International Composition Competition (1987). In his music, he employs a variety of quaquaversal techniques, often utilizing highly sonorous effects.

Works

dramatic: Opera: Stalten Mette (Àrhus, Nov. 17, 1963; rev. 1980); Die Schlange (1964; rev. 1974); Eurydike (1965; Danish Radio, Dec. 16, 1969); Die Musik kommt mir äusserst bekannt vor (Kiel, May 3, 1974); Eine wundersame Liebesgeschichte (Munich, Dec. 2, 1979); Klovnen Toto (1982); Fackeltanz (1986). instrumental theater:Studies for 2 for Cello or Guitar and Percussion (1967); Studies for 3 for Soprano Cello or Guitar, and Percussion (1968); The End for Cello (1969); Friisholm, film (1971); 3 Mobiles for 3 Different Instruments (1979; rev. 1988). orch.:Deep (1967; rev. 1981); Tide (Copenhagen, March 31, 1971); Partita popolare for Strings (1976); Oboe Concerto (1980; Danish Radio, Feb. 18, 1982); Cello Concerto (Danish Radio, May 11, 1984); Piano Concerto (1984; Odense, Jan. 11, 1985); Latin Suite I (1984; also for Symphonic Band) and ÍÍ for Symphonic or Brass Band (1987); Saxophone Concerto (1986; Danish Radio, March 6, 1987); Regenbogen for Trumpet and Orch. (1991). chamber:Quadrata for String Quartet (1963); Cyclus I for Viola, Cello, and Double Bass (1966; rev. 1986), 71 for 2 Percussion and Harp (1966; rev. 1987), and III for Cello and Tape (1966; rev. 1981); Syncretism for Clarinet, Trombone, Cello, and Piano (1970); Quartetto rustico for String Quartet (1972); Contorni for Violin, Cello, and Piano (1978); Samba for Clarinet, Trombone, Cello, and Piano (1980); Wunderblumen for 12 Musicians (1982); Mambo for Clarinet, Cello, and Piano (1982); Paesaggio for Flute, Oboe, Clarinet, Bassoon, Horn, Violin, and Viola (1983); Paradiesvogel for Flute, Clarinet, Violin, Cello, Guitar, Percussion, and Piano (1983; Warsaw, July 7, 1984); Dunkelblau for Flute, Viola, and Harp (1985); Quartetto Barbaro for String Quartet (1990); Farbentiegel for Alto Saxophone and Piano (1990); Cries for Electric Guitar (1991); Tears for Accordion (1992); Tiefe for Double Bass (1993); piano pieces; organ music. vocal:Genesis V for Chorus and Orch. (1984; Árhus, May 19, 1985); Comics for Entertainer, Amateur Tenor Saxophone, Electric Bass, Percussion Group, Children’s Chorus, and Chorus (1987; Àrhus, Aug. 27, 1988); choruses; songs. tape:The Bottomless Pit (1972); Cloud Drift (1973); Visions (1978).

—Nicolas Slonimsky/Laura Kuhn/Dennis McIntire