Mortensen, Finn (Einar)

Mortensen, Finn (Einar) , Norwegian teacher and composer; b. Christiania, Jan. 6, 1922; d. there (Oslo), May 21, 1983. He studied harmony with Thorlief Eken (1942) and counterpoint with Klaus Egge (1943) in Oslo, and received instruction in composition with Bentzon in Copenhagen (1956). He taught theory at the Norwegian Correspondence School (1948–66), then composition at the Oslo Cons. (1970–73). Subsequently he was prof, of composition at the Oslo Musikkhgskolan (from 1973), and he also served as chairman of the Norwegian Soc. of Composers (1972–74). In some of his compositions, he adopted a modified 12-tone idiom, supplemented by the devices of permutation and thematic rotation.

Works

orch.:Sym. (1953; Bergen, Jan. 21, 1963); Pezzo orchestrale (1957); Evolution (1961); Tone Colors (1961); Piano Concerto (Oslo, Sept. 11, 1963); Fantasia for Piano and Orch. (Oslo, May 6, 1966); Per orchestra (Oslo, Nov. 27, 1967); Hedda (1974–75); Fantasia for Violin and Orch. (1977). chamber: String Trio (1950); Wind Quintet (1951); Sonata for Solo Flute (1953); Duo for Soprano and Violin (1956); Sonatina for Solo Clarinet (1957); Balalaika Sonatina (1957); 5 Studies for Flute (1957); Sonatina for Solo Viola (1959); Oboe Sonatina (1959); Fantasia for Bassoon (1959); Violin Sonata (1959); Viola Sonatina (1959); Piano Quartet (1960); 3 Pieces for Violin and Piano (1961–63); Constellations for Accordion, Guitar, and Percussion (1971); Neoserialism I for Flute and Clarinet (1971), //for Flute, Clarinet, and Bassoon (1972), and III for Violin, Viola, and Cello (1973); Suite for Wind Quintet (1972); Serenade for Cello and Piano (1972); 3 Pieces for Accordion (1973); Construction for Horn (1974–75); Adagio and Fugue for 16 Horns (1976); Sonata for Oboe and Harpsichord (1976); Fantasia for Trombone (1977); Suite for 5 Recorders and String Quintet (1978–79); String Quartet (1981). p i a n o : 2 sonatinas (1943, 1949); 2 sonatas (1956, 1977); Fantasia and Fugue (1957–58); Sonata for 2 Pianos (1964); Drawing (1966); Impressions for 2 Pianos (1971).

—Nicolas Slonimsky/Laura Kuhn/Dennis Mclntire