Weis (Carl) Flemming

Weis, (Carl) Flemming, Danish composer and organist; b. Copenhagen, April 15, 1898; d. there, Sept. 30, 1981. He studied organ and theory with Gustav Helsted at the Copenhagen Cons. (1916-20), then took courses in organ with Karl Sträube and in theory and composition with Paul Graener at the Leipzig Hochschule für Musik (graduated, 1923). He served as organist of the St. Anna Church in Copenhagen (1929-68); was a member of the board of the Soc. for Contemporary Music (1926-56; president, 1942-56) and a member of the board of the Danish Soc. of Composers (president, 1963-75). His music followed the traditions of the Danish School. Under the influence of Carl Nielsen, he wrote a number of symphonic pieces imbued with Romantic fervor and gentle humor.

Works

orch: Praeludium og Intermezzo for Oboe and Strings (1933); Concertino for Clarinet and Strings (1935); Symphonic Overture (1938); Introduction grave for Piano and Orch. (1941); 2 syms. (1942, 1948); In temporis vernalis (1945; Copenhagen, Jan. 14, 1948); Musikantiski ouverture (1949); Concertino for Strings (1960); Femdelt form III (Quintuple Form III; Randers, Feb. 5, 1963); Sine nomine (Copenhagen, March 18, 1973); Chaconne (1974). CHAMBER: 4 string quartets (1922, 1925, 1937, 1977); Music for 3 Woodwinds (1928); Clarinet Sonata (1931); Violin Sonata (1932-41); Serenade uden reelle hensigter (Serenade without Serious Intentions) for Wind Quintet (1938); Sonatina for Flute, Violin, and Cello (1942); Diverter-ende musik (Diverting Music) for Flute, Violin, Viola, and Cello (1943); Oboe Sonata (1946); Variations for Wind Quintet (1946); Flute Sonata (1956); Fantasia seria for String Quartet (1956); 5 Epigrams for String Quartet (1960); Femdelt form II (Quintuple Form II) for String Quintet (1962); Rhapsodic Suite for Violin (1966); Static Situations for String Quartet (1970); 3 sstre (3 Sisters) for Cello (1973); 3 Mobiles for Flute, Violin, Viola, and Cello (1974); 3 Aspects for Guitar (1975); Dialogues for Flute and Guitar (1977). KEYBOARD: Piano: Suite (1945-6); Sonatina (1949); 12 Monologues (1958); Femdelt form I (Quintuple Form I; 1961); Limitations I (1965) and II (1968). Organ: Concertino (1957). VOCAL: Detforjoettede land (The Promised Land) for Chorus and Orch. (Copenhagen, Nov. 8, 1949); Coeli enarrant for Soprano and Organ (1955-56); Sinfonia proverbiorum for Chorus and Orch. (Copenhagen, June 21, 1959); 3 Japanese Bird Cries for Soprano, Viola, and Guitar (1976); choruses; anthems; songs.

—Nicolas Slonimsky/Laura Kuhn/Dennis McIntire