Thoresen, Lasse
Thoresen, Lasse
Thoresen, Lasse, Norwegian composer and teacher; b. Oslo, Oct. 18, 1949. He was a student of Mortensen at the Oslo Cons, (graduated, 1972) and then of Kaegi at the Inst. of Sonology at the Univ. of Utrecht. In 1975 he joined the faculty of the Norwegian State Academy of Music in Oslo. His Stages of the Inner Dialogue for Piano was named the Norwegian composition of the year in 1981, an honor he received again in 1993 with his AbUno for Flute, Clarinet, String Quartet, Percussion, and Synthesizer. His music reflects the influence of French spectral music, Harry Partch’s microtonal system, and Norwegian folk music. He was the first composer in Norway to incorporate the non-tempered intervals of folk music into concert music. His Bahai faith is reflected in his choice of titles for many of his scores.
Works
dramatic: Skapelser, television ballet (1977); Vidunderlampen (The Wonder Lamp), children’s operetta (1984). ORCH.: Rettferdighetens Sol (The Sun of Justice), symphonic poem (Bergen, Dec. 2, 1982); Transition for Strings (1983); Symphonic Concerto for Violin and Orch. (1984-86); Illuminations, concerto for 2 Cellos and Orch. (1986-90); Hymnisk Dans (1987); Carmel Eulogies, symphonic poem for the 75th anniversary of the Oslo Phil. (Oslo, Nov. 9, 1994); Emergence, symphonic poem (1997). CHAMBER: Etter-Kvart for 2 Violins, Viola, and Cello (1971); With an Open Hand or a Clenched Fist? for Flute (1976); Origins for 3 Instruments (1980); Interplay for Flute and Piano (1981); Bird of the Heart, piano trio (1982); Les Trois Régénérations for 2 Cellos, Harp, 2 Percussion, Tape, and Electronics (Paris, Oct. 29, 1985); Miranda’s Flourish for Recorder (1985); Qudrat for 3 Percussionists and 3 Synthesizers (1987); Narrative for 4 Saxophones (1988); Thus for Flute, Clarinet, 3 Percussion, and Synthesizer (1990); Yr for Violin (1991); Ab Uno for Flute, Clarinet, String Quartet, Percussion, and Synthesizer (1992); Aion for String Quartet (1996). Piano: 4 Inventions: To the Memory of Fartein Valen (1967-68); Stages of the Inner Dialogue (1980); Arise! (1980); Solspill (1983-86). VOCAL: Magnificetur nomen tuum for 4 Voices and Chorus (1974); Aeterne rerum conditor for 2 Voices, Women’s Voices, and 3 Percussion (1975); The Garden for Voice, Violin, Cello, 2 Percussion, and Piano (1976); Helligkvad for Voice (1979-93); Tidings of Light for 4 Voices and Chorus (1981); The Song of Khadijih-Bagum for Voice(s) and Piano (1984-99); Banners of Peace, cantata for 2 Voices, Cello, and 2 Percussion (1986); Say: God is the Lord for 2 Choruses (1986); Bicinium nuptiale for 2 Voices (1989); Cantío PM CL for 4 Voices (1989); The Tablet of the Holy Mariner for Chorus (1995); Fire and Light,“cantata and transformation” for 2 Women Folk Singers, Chorus, and Instrumental Ensemble (1998). ELECTRONIC: Marm (1973); Utstrømning (1976).
—Nicolas Slonimsky/Laura Kuhn/Dennis McIntire