Lindberg, Magnus (Gustaf Adolf)

Lindberg, Magnus (Gustaf Adolf), Finnish composer; b. Helsinki, June 27, 1958. He began playing the piano at age 11, then at 15 entered the Sibelius Academy in Helsinki, where he studied composition with Rautavaara and Heininen (graduated, 1981), and also received instruction in electronic music there with Lindeman and took courses with Grisey and Globokar in Paris, Donatoni in Siena, and Ferneyhough in Darmstadt. His works are cast in a decisive contemporary idiom. He won the Prix Italia for his Faust in 1986 and the Nordic Council Music Prize for his Kraft in 1987.

Works

orch.:Ritratto (1979–83; Milan, Feb. 27,1983); Drama (1980–81; Helsinki, Feb. 8, 1981); Sculpture II (1981; Helsinki, Oct. 13, 1982); Tendenza (1982; Paris, Jan. 27, 1983); Kraft (1983–85; Helsinki, Sept. 4, 1985); Trois sculptures (1988; Helsinki, March 13, 1989); Marea for Chamber Orch. (London, April 26, 1990); Joy for Large Chamber Ensemble (Frankfurt am Main, Dec. 9, 1990); Piano Concerto (Helsinki, Sept. 4, 1991); Corrente I for Chamber Orch. (1991–92; Helsinki, Feb. 5, 1992) and II (1991–92; London, Nov. 27, 1992); Coyote Blues (Stockholm, March 27, 1993); Aura: Im Memoriam Witold Lutosiawski (1993–94; Tokyo, June 11, 1994); Arena I (1995) and II (London, June 30, 1996); Engine (Aldeburgh, June 21, 1996); Feria (London, Aug. 11, 1997); Fresco (1997; Los Angeles, March 12,1998); Campana in Aria for Horn and Orch. (Amsterdam, June 6, 1998); Piece (1998–99; Cleveland, April 1, 1999); Cello Concerto (1998–99; Paris, May 6, 1999). chamber:Tre stycken (3 Pieces) for Horn, Violin, Viola, and Cello (1976; Helsinki, May 25, 1977); Arabesques for Wind Quintet (1978; Helsinki, Oct. 5, 1980); Espressione I for Cello (1978) and II for Violin (1979); Quintetto dell’estate for Flute, Clarinet, Violin, Cello, and Piano (1979; Helsinki, May 24, 1980); Sonatas for Violin and Piano (1979; Helsinki, Jan. 27, 1981); ...de Tartuffe, je crois for String Quartet and Piano (Kuhmo, July 27, 1981); Linea d’ombra for Flute, Saxophone, Guitar, and Percussion (1981; Milan, March 17, 1983); Action-situation- signification for Horn or Clarinets, Piano, Percussion, Cello, and Tape (Jyväskylä, July 6, 1982); Ablauf for Clarinet and 2 Percussion ad libitum (Helsinki, April 15, 1983; rev. 1988); Zona for Cello, Alto Flute, Bass Clarinet, Percussion, Harp, Piano, Violin, and Double Bass (Hilversum, Dec. 2, 1983); Metal Work for Accordion and Percussion (1984; Joensuu, June 18, 1985); Stroke for Cello (Helsinki, Dec. 30, 1984); UR for 5 Players and Live Electronics (Paris, Oct. 11, 1986); Moto for Cello and Piano (1990; Paris, April 13, 1991); Steamboat Bill JR for Clarinet and Cello (1990); Duo Concertante for Clarinet, Cello, and 8 Instruments (Witten, April 15, 1992); Clarinet Quintet (Kuhmo, July 16, 1992); Decorrente for Clarinet, Guitar, Vibraphone, Piano, and Cello (1992); Away for Clarinet, Percussion, Piano, and Strings (1994); Related Rocks for 2 Pianos, 2 Percussion, and Electronics (Paris, June 24, 1997). piano:Music for 2 Pianos (1976); Klavierstück (1977); 3 pieces (1978); Play 1 for 2 Pianos (1979); Twine (Bremen, May 19, 1988). vocal:Jag vili breda vingar ut for Mezzo-soprano and Piano (1977–78); Untitled for 20 Voices (1978); Songs from North and South for Children’s Chorus (1993). tape:Etwas zarter (1977); Ohne Ausdrück (1978; Helsinki, April 15, 1983); Faust, radiophonie score (1985–86; Finnish Radio, Aug. 17, 1986).

—Nicolas Slonimsky/Laura Kuhn/Dennis McIntire