Rydman, Kari
Rydman, Kari
Rydman, Kari , Finnish composer; b. Helsinki, Oct. 15, 1936. He studied musicology at the Univ. of Helsinki, and was autodidact as a composer. He developed energetic activities as a composer, music critic, and schoolteacher. In his music he reveals himself as a blithe spirit, writing ultramodern pieces, but also turning out some fetching Finnish pop tunes.
Works
5 string quartets (1959, 1963, 1964, 1964, 1966); Piano Quintet (1960); Trio for Violin, Cello, and Percussion (1961); Sonata 1 for 3 Violins, Viola, Cello, Piano, and Percussion (1962), 2 for Violin, Viola, Guitar, and Percussion (1962), 4 for Violin, Clarinet, Guitar, and Percussion (1963), 6 for Cello and Percussion (1964), 8 for Viola and Harpsichord (1967), and 9 for Small Orch. (1969); Khoros 1 for 3 Flutes, Oboe, Percussion, Harp, Violin, Viola, Cello, and Double Bass (1964) and 2 for Orch. (1966); Rondeaux des nuits blanches d’été for Orch. (1966); Symphony of the Modern Worlds, which contains blues, beat rhythms, political songs, and the Chinese Communist anthem, Dong Fang Hong (The East Is Red) (1968); DNA for Orch. and Electronic Organ (1970); Suite for Narrator and Orch. (1971).
—Nicolas Slonimsky/Laura Kuhn/Dennis McIntire