Rypdal, Terje

Rypdal, Terje , Norwegian composer and jazz and rock guitarist; b. Oslo, Aug. 23, 1947. He took up the piano at age 5 and the guitar at 13, and subsequently studied musicology at the Univ. of Oslo and was a composition student of Mortensen at the Oslo Cons. (1970–72) and of George Russell, who introduced him to his Lydian Concept of tonal organization. Rypdal was active as a performer with his own pop band, the Vanguards, and later with his group, Dreams. He also worked with Russell’s sextet and big band. In 1969 he became a member of the Jan Garbarek Quartet. His long association with jazz and rock had significant impact upon his approach to composition. Whether composing in a serial or tonal mode, Rypdal’s music relfects a penchant for utilizing late romantic, jazz, and avant-garde elements.

Works

DRAMATIC : Orfeus, opera (1971); Freden, opera (1976); incidental music. ORCH. : Capriccio for Strings (1970); Double Bass Concerto (1973); 5 syms. (1973, 1977, 1981, 1986, 1992); Tumulter for Percussion and Orch. (1973); Krystaller for Alto Flute and Orch. (1973); Horn Concerto (1977); Julemusikk for Strings (1978); Piano Concerto (1979); In Autumn for Electric Guitar, Trumpet, and Orch. (1979); Undisonus for Violin and Orch. (1979–81); Shadows for Oboe, 4 Trombones, Percussion, and Strings (1980); Hulter til Butter for Percussion and Orch. (1980); Modulation for Harmonica and Orch. (1980); A.B.C, or Adventure-Bedtime Story-Celebration for Accordion and Orch. (1981); Labyrint (1982); Vilanden, symphonic poem (1982); Telegram for Chamber Orch. (1982); Imagi for Cello and Big Band (1983–84); Patina for Cello and Orch. (1984); Buldur og Brak for Symphonic Band (1986); Lirum Larum for Electric Guitar, 2 Rock Bands, Symphonic Band, Chorus, and Orch. (1987); Del blå Folket (1987); Over Fjorden for Symphonic Band (1989); The Vanguardian for Jazz Guitar and Orch. (1989); Soleis for Pan Flute and Orch. (1990); Q.E.D.(1991); Hip som Happ (1991); Déja-vu for Soprano Saxophone, Bass Clarinet, Baritone Saxophone, and Strings (1991); Adagio von Mozart (1991); Double Concerto for 2 Electric Guitars and Orch. (1992); Sinfonietta (1995); Zoom for Symphonic Band (1995); That’s the Beauty of It for Electric Guitar and Orch. (1992); Concerto for Electric Guitar, Electric Bass or Contrabass, Drums or Percussion, Sculpture, and Wind Orch. (1997); But the Melody Lingers On…and On (1997). chamber : String Quartet (1970); Wind Quintet (1973); Whenever I Seem to Be Far Away for Electric Guitar, Strings, Oboe, and Clarinet (1974); Unfinished Highballs for Jazz Quartet (1976); Concerto ECM for Electric Guitar, 8 Cellos, Keyboards, and Percussion (1982); Enigma for 2 Trumpets, Horn, Trombone, and Tuba (1982); 20 X 10 for Improvisation Ensemble (1983); Vidare for Acoustic or Electric Violin (1984); Crooner Songs for Clarinet, Trumpet, Violin, Keyboards, and Percussion (1986); Troll for Electric Guitar, Flute, Clarinet, Violin, Cello, and Keyboards (1986); Passion for Harpsichord or Synthesizer, Vibraphone, and Fretless Electric Bass Guitar (1987); The Illuminator for Electric Guitar, Percussion, Winds, Brass, Double Bass, and Keyboards (1987); Dremmespinn for Oboe, 2 Violins, Viola, Cello, and Double Bass (1988); Arktik for Electric Guitar or Alto Flute, Trumpet, Synthesizer, Double Bass, and Percussion (1988); Sesam for Clarinet, Trombone, and Piano or Synthesizer (1989); Inntil Vidare for Violin, Trumpet, Electric Guitar, Bass Guitar, and Percussion (1990); Largo for Electric Guitar, Strings, and Percussion (1991); Détente for Flute, Clarinet, 2 Violins, Viola, Cello, and 2 Synthesizers (1992); Vire for Violin, Oboe, Viola, and Cello (1992); The Big Bang II for Oboe or English Horn, Cello, Double or Electric Bass, Synthesizer, Percussion, and Electric Guitar (1992); Time for English Horn, Cello, Double Bass, Synthesizer, Percussion, and Guitar (1993); Sonata for Violin and Keyboards (1998); Two of a Kind for Violin and Cello (1999). VOCAL: Eternal Circulation for Soprano, Chorus, and Orch. (1970); Spegling for Mezzo-soprano and Orch. (1981); Ineo for Chorus, Electric Guitar, and Orch. (1983); Vardeger for Men’s Chorus (1984); Metamorphosis for Women’s Chorus (1984); The Big Bang for Women’s Chorus and Chamber Ensemble (1990); Voices of the Wind for Chorus, Children’s Chorus, and Orch. (1997); Il Canzonière for Chorus, Instruments, and Synthesizer (1998).

—Nicolas Slonimsky/Laura Kuhn/Dennis McIntire