Nordgren, Pehr Henrik

Nordgren, Pehr Henrik, Finnish composer; b. Saltvik, Jan. 19, 1944. He studied composition with Kokkonen and musicology at the Univ. of Helsinki, and composition and traditional Japanese music at the Tokyo Univ. of Arts and Music (1970–73). In his works, he utilizes traditional and advanced harmonies and both Western and traditional Japanese instruments.

Works

dramatic:Den svarte munken (The Black Monk), chamber opera (1981; Stockholm, March 20, 1984); Alex, television opera (1983; Helsinki, Sept. 6, 1986). orch.:Epiphrase (1966); Koko maailma valittanee (The Whole World Will Lament) for Strings (1966–74); Euphonie I (Helsinki, Feb. 25, 1967), II (1967; Helsinki, Jan. 30, 1969), III (Lahti, April 12, 1975), and IV (1981); Minore (1968); 3 violin concertos: No. 1 (1969; Helsinki, Feb. 12, 1970), No. 2 for Violin and Strings (Helsinki, Nov. 15, 1977), and No. 3 for Violin and Strings (1981; Kaust-inen, Jan. 31, 1982); 3 viola concertos: No. 1 (1970), No. 2 (Helsinki, Dec. 7, 1979), and No. 3 for Viola and Chamber Orch. (Vaasa, July 2, 1986); Concerto for Clarinet, Folk Instruments, and Small Orch. (1970; Helsinki, April 22, 1971); The Turning Point (1972; Helsinki, March 12, 1974); Autumnal Concerto for Traditional Japanese Instruments and Orch. (Helsinki, Aug. 28, 1974); 2 syms.: No. 1 (Turku, Oct. 10, 1974) and No. 2 (1990); Piano Concerto (Helsinki, April 22, 1975); Pelimannimuotokuvia (Portraits of Country Fiddlers) for Strings (Seinäjoki, April 5, 1976); Summer Music (Kaustinen, July 18, 1977); Sym. for Strings (1978; Kokkola, Jan. 14, 1979); 3 cello concertos: No. 1 for Cello and Strings (Kuhmo, July 28, 1980), No. 2 (Helsinki, March 21, 1984), and No. 3 (1992); Concerto for Strings (1982; Kokkola, Nov. 27, 1983); Elegy to Vilho Lampi (1984; Oulu, Feb. 21, 1985); Concerto for Kantele and Small Orch. (Joensuu, June 19, 1985); Tanse-Choral for 15 Strings (Kokkola, Jan. 6, 1986); HATE-LOVE for Cello and Strings (1987); Cronaca (1991). chamber: 7 string quartets (1967–92); Nachtwache, suite from the music to the radio play by Nelly Sachs, for Chamber Ensemble (1967); Neljä kuolemankuvaa (4 Pictures of Death) for Chamber Ensemble (1968); Kolme maanitusta (3 Enticements): 2 wind quintets: No. 1 (1970) and No. 2 (1975); 2 quartets for Traditional Japanese Instruments (1974; Seita, 1978); Piano Quintet (1978); Piano Trio (1980); Equivocations for Kantele and String Trio (1981). vocal:Agnus Dei for Soprano, Baritone, Chorus, and Orch. (1970; Helsinki, May 11, 1971); Kuninkaan kJammenella (In the Palm of the King’s Hand), cantata for Soprano, Baritone, Chorus, and Orch. (1979; Kokkola, Feb. 24, 1980); Taivaanvalot (The Lights of Heaven) for Soprano, Tenor, Chorus, Children’s Chorus, and Orch. (Kaustinen, Feb. 3, 1985).

—Nicolas Slonimsky/Laura Kuhn/Dennis Mclntire