Groven, Eivind

Groven, Eivind, Norwegian composer and musicologist; b. Lardal, Telemark, Oct. 8, 1901; d. Oslo, Feb. 8, 1977. He studied at the Christiania Cons. (1923-25) and in Berlin. In 1931 he was appointed a consultant on folk music for Norwegian Radio, where he remained until 1946. In 1940 he received a state composer’s pension. His many theoretical studies include Naturskalaen (The Natural Scale; Skein, 1927); Temperering og renstemning (Temperament and Non-tempered Tuning; Oslo, 1948; Eng. tr., 1970); Eskimomelodier fra Alaska (Eskimo Melodies from Alaska; Oslo, 1955). He collected about 1,800 Norwegian folk tunes, several of which he used as thematic foundation for his own compositions. In 1965 he patented an electronic organ, with special attachments for the production of non-tempered intervals.

Works

ORCH 5 symphonic poems: Renaissance (1935), Historiske syner (Historical Visions; 1936), Fjelltonar (Tunes from the Hills; 1938), Skjebner (The Fates; 1938), and Bryllup i skogen (Wedding in the Wood; 1939); 2 syms.: No. 1, Innover viddene (Toward the Mountains; 1937; rev. 1951) and No. 2, Midnattstimen (The Midnight Hour; 1946); Hjalarljod, overture (1950); Piano Concerto (1950); Symfoniske slåtter (Norwegian Folk Dances), 2 sets: No. 1 (1956) and No. 2, Faldafeykir (1967). CHAMBER: Solstemning (Sun Mood) for Flute or Flute and Piano (1946); Balladetone for 2 Hardanger Fiddles (1962); Regnbogen (The Rainbow) for 2 Hardanger Fiddles (1962). VOCAL: Brudgommen (The Bridegroom) for Soprano, 2 Altos, Tenor, Chorus, and Orch. (1928-31); Naturens tempel (The Temple of Nature) for Chorus and Orch. (1945); Ivar Aasen, suite for Soprano, Bass, Chorus, and Orch. (1946); Soga om ein by (The Story of a Town) for Soprano, Tenor, Bass, Chorus, and Orch. (1956); Margjit Hjukse for Chorus and Hardanger Fiddle (1963); Draumkaede for Soprano, Tenor, Baritone, Chorus, and Orch. (1965); Ved foss og fjord (By Falls and Fjord) for Men’s Chorus and Orch. (1966); many songs.

—Nicolas Slonimsky/Laura Kuhn/Dennis McIntire