Hovland, Egil

Hovland, Egil, Norwegian organist, music critic, and composer; b. Mysen, Oct. 18, 1924. He studied organ and composition at the Oslo Cons. (1946–49), later studying privately with Brustad (1951-52, in Oslo), Holmboe (1954, in Copenhagen), Copland (1957, at Tanglewood), and Dallapiccola (1959, in Florence). He then was active as an organist, music critic, and composer. In 1983 he was made a Knight of the Royal Order of St. Olav for his services to Norwegian music. He cultivates a peculiarly Scandinavian type of neo-Classical polyphony, but is apt to use serial techniques.

Works

dramatic: Opera: Brunnen, church opera (1971-72; Oslo, March 17, 1982); Fange og fri (1990). Ballet: Dona Nobis Pacem (1982); Den Heliga Dansen (1982); Vent Creator Spiritus (1984); Danses de la Mort (Bergen, June 8, 1983). ORCH.: Passacaglia and Fugue for Strings (1949); Festival Overture (1951); 3 syms.: No. 1, Symphonia Veris (Sym. of Spring; 1952-53; Oslo, Dec. 10, 1954), No. 2 (1954-55; Bergen, Nov. 8, 1956), and No. 3 for Narrator, Chorus, and Orch. (1969-70; Oslo, April 9, 1970); Suite (1954); Concertino for 3 Trumpets and Strings (1954–55); Music for 10 Instruments (1957); Suite for Flute and Strings (1959); Festival Overture for Wind Orch. (1962); Lamenti (Oslo, April 24, 1964); Rorate for 5 Sopranos, Organ, Chamber Orch., and Tape (1966–67); Rapsodi 69 (1969); Trombone Concerto (1972); Violin Concerto (1974); Noël-Variations (1975); Piano Concerto (1976-77; Oslo, Dec. 1, 1977); Tombeau de Bach (1977–78); Concerto for Piccolo, Flute, and Strings (1986; Oslo, April 20, 1989). CHAMBER: Suite for Flute and Piano (1950); Motus for Flute (1961); Varianti for 2 Pianos (1964); Piano Trio (1965); 2 wind quintets (1965, 1980); Elemento for Organist and 2 Assistants (1965; rev. 1966); Variations for Oboe and Piano (1968–69); String Quartet (1981); organ pieces. VOCAL: Song of Songs for Soprano, Violin, Percussion, and Piano (1962–63); Magnificat for Alto, Flute, and Harp (1964); Missa vigilate for Soprano, Baritone, Chorus, 2 Female Dancers, Organ, and Tape (1967); Mass to the Risen Christ for Chorus and Instruments (1968); All Saints’ Mass for Soprano, Chorus, Organ, and Instruments (1970); Den vakreste rosen (The Most Beautiful Rose) for Narrator, 4 Sopranos, Organ, and Orch., after Hans Christian Andersen (1970); Missa verbi for Chorus, Organ, and Instruments (1972–73); Pilgrim’s Mass for Chorus, Organ, 9 Brasses, and Congregation (1982).

—Nicolas Slonimsky/Laura Kuhn/Dennis McIntire