Norholm, Ib

Norholm, Ib, Danish composer, organist, and teacher; b. Copenhagen, Jan. 24, 1931. He studied theory with Holmboe, music history with Hjelmborg, and form and analysis with Bentzon and Hffding at the Royal Danish Cons, of Music in Copenhagen (1950–54), passing his examinations in theory and music history (1954), organ and teaching (1955), and sacred music (1956). He was active as a music critic (1956–64). He was a church organist in Elsinore (1957–63) and then at Copenhagen’s Bethlemskirken (from 1964). He also taught part-time at the Royal Danish Cons, of Music in Copenhagen (from 1961) and at the Odense Cons., and subsequently taught theory at the Royal Danish Cons, of Music in Copenhagen (from 1973). His musical idiom is permeated with Scandinavian lyricism, even when he introduces modernistic devices.

Works

dramatic:Invitation to a Beheading, opera after Nabokov (1965, Danish TV, Oct. 10, 1967); The Young Park, chamber opera (Árhus, Oct. 14, 1970); The Garden Wall, choral opera (1976); The Revenge of the Truth, chamber opera (1985). orch.: 9 syms.: No. 1 (Danish Radio, Aug. 13, 1959), No. 2, Isola Bella (Copenhagen, April 27, 1972), No. 3, Day’s Nightmare (Copenhagen, Oct. 9, 1973), No. 4, Modskabelse, for Soloists, Chorus, and Orch. (1979), No. 5 (1981), No. 6 (1982), No. 7, Ecliptical Instincts (Copenhagen, May 20, 1983), No. 8, Faith and Longing (1989–90), and No. 9, The Sun Garden in 3 Shades of Light (1990); Fluctuations for 34 Solo Strings, 2 Harps, Harpsichord, Mandolin, and Guitar (1962); Relief I and 17 for Chamber Ensemble (both 1963) and III for Orch. (1964); Serenade of Cincinnatus for Chamber Orch. (1964); Exile (Copenhagen, Sept. 8, 1966); Efter Ikaros (After Icarus), suite (1967); Heretic Hymn, fresco (1974); Violin Concerto (1974); Idylles d’Apocalypse for Organ and 20 Instruments (1980); Spirales for Accordion and Orch. (1986–87); Cello Concerto (1989). chamber:Rhapsody for Viola and Piano (1955); 8 string quartets: No. 1, In Vere (1955), No. 2, 5 Impromptus (1965), No. 3, From My Green Herbarium (1966), No. 4, September—October—November (1966), No. 5 (1976), No. 6, Skygerne Frosner (1978), No. 7, En passant (1985), and No. 8, Memories (1988); Tombeau for Cello and Piano (1956); Violin Sonata (1956–57); Trio for Clarinet, Cello, and Piano (1957); Mosaic Fragments for Flute and String Trio (1958); Piano Trio (1959); Signature from a Province for Piano (1970); Dialogue in 3 Courses for Guitar, Accordion, and Percussion (1975); Guitar Sonata (1976); Essai prismatique for Piano Trio (1979); The Garden with Paths That Part for 7 Instruments (1982); 6 Short Motets (1986); Saxophone Quartet (1992). vocal:Jongleurs—69 for Soloists, Chorus, Ensembles, Loudspeaker Voice, and Orch. (Odense, Nov. 25, 1969); Tys og lovsang (Light and Hymn of Thanksgiving) for Soloists, Chorus, Organ, and Instrumental Ensemble (Copenhagen, Dec. 5, 1972); Day’s Nightmare II for Soloists, Chorus, and Orch. (Copenhagen, Nov. 29, 1973); Proprium Missae Dominicae Pentacostis for 2 Choruses, Winds, and Organ (1977); Lux Secunda for Soprano, Baritone, Chorus, and Small Orch. (1984); songs.

—Nicolas Slonimsky/Laura Kuhn/Dennis McIntire