Knut Nystedt (3 September 1915 – 8 December 2014) was a Norwegian orchestral and choral composer.
Early life
Nystedt was born in
Kristiania (now Oslo),
Norway
Norway, officially the Kingdom of Norway, is a Nordic country in Northern Europe, the mainland territory of which comprises the western and northernmost portion of the Scandinavian Peninsula. The remote Arctic island of Jan Mayen and t ...
, and grew up in a Christian home where hymns and classical music were an important part of everyday life. His major compositions for choir and vocal soloists are mainly based on texts from the Bible or sacred themes. Old church music, especially
Palestrina
Palestrina (ancient ''Praeneste''; grc, Πραίνεστος, ''Prainestos'') is a modern Italian city and ''comune'' (municipality) with a population of about 22,000, in Lazio, about east of Rome. It is connected to the latter by the Via Pren ...
and
Gregorian chant
Gregorian chant is the central tradition of Western plainchant, a form of monophonic, unaccompanied sacred song in Latin (and occasionally Greek) of the Roman Catholic Church. Gregorian chant developed mainly in western and central Europe durin ...
s, have had a major influence on his compositions.
Career
Nystedt studied with
Aaron Copland
Aaron Copland (, ; November 14, 1900December 2, 1990) was an American composer, composition teacher, writer, and later a conductor of his own and other American music. Copland was referred to by his peers and critics as "the Dean of American Com ...
among others. He was the organist in the Torshov Church in Oslo from 1946 to 1982 and taught choir conducting at the
University of Oslo
The University of Oslo ( no, Universitetet i Oslo; la, Universitas Osloensis) is a public research university located in Oslo, Norway. It is the highest ranked and oldest university in Norway. It is consistently ranked among the top universit ...
from 1964 to 1985.
Nystedt founded and conducted the
Norwegian Soloists' Choir from 1950 to 1990. He also founded and conducted the
Schola Cantorum
The Schola Cantorum de Paris is a private conservatory in Paris. It was founded in 1894 by Charles Bordes, Alexandre Guilmant and Vincent d'Indy as a counterbalance to the Paris Conservatoire's emphasis on opera.
History
La Schola was founded i ...
from 1964 to 1985. The choir
Ensemble 96 published "Immortal Nystedt" in 2005. This CD was nominated in two categories in the 2007 Grammy Awards and was the first Norwegian CD so nominated. It was also the first CD with a Norwegian composer nominated for a Grammy. On the occasion of his 90th birthday in 2005, there were several concerts around the world held in his honour.
Key Nystedt works include the symphony ''Apocalypsis Joannis'' for soloists, choir and orchestra, op. 155 (1998), commissioned by the
Oslo Philharmonic
The Oslo Philharmonic (Oslo-Filharmonien) is a Norwegian symphony orchestra based in Oslo, Norway. The orchestra traces its roots to the Philharmonic Society founded in 1847 and the Christiania Musical Association co-founded by Edvard Grieg in 18 ...
; ''Ode til mennesket'', op. 159 (2000), featuring texts by Sophocles, Hippocrates and Plato; ''The Word Became Flesh'', op. 162 (2001), commissioned by the Augsburg College Choir; and ''Reach Out For Peace'' for soprano, choir and orchestra, op. 164 A (2001), commissioned by the Ceciliaforeningen.
In 1966, the King of Norway made Nystedt a Knight of the
Order of St. Olav in recognition of his contributions to Norwegian music,
[ and in 2002 the King made him a Commander of St. Olav. He received the Spellemann Award in 1978 for his album ''Contemporary Music From Norway'' and received the music prize of the ]Arts Council Norway
The Arts Council Norway ( no, Norsk kulturråd, often shortened to ''Kulturrådet'') is the official arts council for Norway.
Based in Oslo, it is a Norwegian state institution created in 1965 as a result of a parliamentary decision in 1964.
Art ...
in 1980. In 1965, ''De Profundis'' was bestowed with the ''Work of the Year'' award of the Norwegian Society of Composers
The Norwegian Society of Composers ( no, Norsk Komponistforening) was founded in 1917. The Society's main objectives are to promote its members' music and secure their rights.
As of today the Society counts 185 members who meet regularly for discu ...
. Nystedt was awarded an honorary professorship ('Professor Honorario') by Mendoza University Argentina in 1991. In 2002 he received the ''Choir Prize of the Year'' from the Norwegian Choir Association and in 2005 the Artists' Prize by the City of Oslo
Oslo ( , , or ; sma, Oslove) is the capital and most populous city of Norway. It constitutes both a county and a municipality. The municipality of Oslo had a population of in 2022, while the city's greater urban area had a population of ...
.
Most of his compositions were published by Norsk Musikkforlag. His compositions also appear on several CDs in Norway and several other countries.
Death
Nystedt died in his sleep in Oslo on 8 December 2014 at the age of 99.[
]
Works
Source:
Choral works
*''Landstad-kantate'', op. 27, cantata for mezzo-soprano, baritone, SATB choir and organ
*''A hymn of human rights'', op. 95, for mixed choir, organ and percussion
*Missa brevis
Missa brevis (plural: Missae breves) is . The term usually refers to a mass composition that is short because part of the text of the Mass ordinary that is usually set to music in a full mass is left out, or because its execution time is relati ...
, op. 102 for mixed choir a cappella
*''Adoro te'', op. 107, for mixed choir (SSAATTBB) a cappella
*'' Immortal Bach'', 1988
*''A song as in the night'', op. 149, for soloists, choir, flute, strings and percussion
*''Apocalypsis Joannis'', op. 155, symphony for soloists, choir and orchestra
*''All the Ways of a Man'' for mixed choir (SATB) a cappella
*''Astri, mi Astri'', Norwegian folk songs for mixed choir
*''Christmas Carols'', for mixed choir and watches
*''Cry Out and Shout'', for mixed choir SSATTB (Festival) a cappella
*''But the Path of the Just'' for mixed choir
*"O Crux" for choir a cappella (SSSAATTBB)
*”Praise to God” for choir a cappella
*''Prayers of Kierkegaard'', op. 157, for mixed choir (SATB) a cappella (1999)
Concertante
*''Concerto Arctandriae'', op. 128 for strings
*''Concerto for Horn and Orchestra'', op. 114
*''Concerto Grosso'', op. 17b for three trumpets and organ/piano
*''Concerto Sacro'', op. 137 for violin and organ
Orchestra works
*''Festival Overture'', op. 25
Organ solo
*''Exultate'', op. 74
*''Le verbe eternel'', op. 133
*''Prélude Héroïque'', op. 123
*''Resurrexit'', op.68
*''Suite d'orgue'', op. 84
*''Toccata'', op. 9
*''Tu es Petrus''
*''Two Organ Pieces'' (from ''Apocalypsis Joannis'', op. 155)
*''Amazing Grace''
*''Beati''
*''Variasjoner over folketonen "Med Jesus vil eg fara"'', op. 4
*''Veni Creator Spiritus Partita'', op. 75
Discography
* ''Contemporary Music From Norway'' (1967)
* ''Contemporary Music From Norway'' (1968)
* ''The Hindar String Quartet* – String Quartet No. 1 Op. 5 / String Quartet No. 4 Op. 56'' (1968)
* ''Contemporary Music From Norway'' (1971)
* ''Contemporary Music From Norway'' (1978)
* The Norwegian Soloists' Choir, ''Knut Nystedt – Toner Julenatt'' (1980)
* Oslo Philharmonic
The Oslo Philharmonic (Oslo-Filharmonien) is a Norwegian symphony orchestra based in Oslo, Norway. The orchestra traces its roots to the Philharmonic Society founded in 1847 and the Christiania Musical Association co-founded by Edvard Grieg in 18 ...
, ''Knut Nystedt'' (1980)
* Harald Herresthal, ''Knut Nystedt Suite D'Orgue Op. 84'' (1984)
* Gunnar Sønstevold, Katja Medbøe, The Norwegian Soloist's Choir, Sætre Girl's Choir, The Norwegian Wind Quintet, Sandvika Big Band, Bærum Symphony Orchestra, ''Knut Nystedt – Litani I Atlanta'' (1985)
* The Norwegian Soloists' Choir, ''A Hymn Of Human Rights'' (1986)
* Bergen Philharmonic Orchestra
The Bergen Philharmonic Orchestra is a Norwegian orchestra based in Bergen. Its principal concert venue is the Grieg Hall.
History
Established in 1765 under the name ''Det Musicalske Selskab'' (The Musical Society), it later changed its name t ...
, ''Knut Nystedt – The Burnt Sacrifice Op. 36 – O. Crux Op. 79 – Shells Op. 70 A – Sinfonia Del Mare Op. 97 – De Profundis Op. 54 – Resurrexit Op. 68 – Suoni Op. 62'' (1988)
* Oslo Philharmonic
The Oslo Philharmonic (Oslo-Filharmonien) is a Norwegian symphony orchestra based in Oslo, Norway. The orchestra traces its roots to the Philharmonic Society founded in 1847 and the Christiania Musical Association co-founded by Edvard Grieg in 18 ...
, The Norwegian Soloists' Choir, ''Knut Nystedt – Lucis creator optime
''Lucis Creator Optime'' is a 5th-century Latin Christian hymn variously attributed to St Gregory the Great or Saint Ambrose. It takes its title from its incipit.
In modern usage, it is commonly known in English translation as "O Blest Creator o ...
, Opus 58 / Pia Memoria, Opus 65 / Rhapsody In Green, Opus 82 / 19. Motets'' (1992)
* Minsk Chamber Orchestra, ''Knut Nystedt Symphony For Strings, Opus 26 / Concertino For Clarinet, English Horn And Strings, Opus 29 / Concerto Grosso For Three Trumpets And Strings Opus 17'' (1993)
* Oslo String Quartet, ''Knut Nystedt – String Quartets'' (1995)
* ''Knut Nystedt'' (1996)
* Brass Partout, ''Playground for Angels'' (2000)
* Oslo Philharmonic
The Oslo Philharmonic (Oslo-Filharmonien) is a Norwegian symphony orchestra based in Oslo, Norway. The orchestra traces its roots to the Philharmonic Society founded in 1847 and the Christiania Musical Association co-founded by Edvard Grieg in 18 ...
, ''Apocalypsis Joannis'' (2003)
* Ensemble 96, ''Immortal Nystedt'' (2005)
* Exultate Singers, ''All Shall Be Well'' (2012)
References
External links
*
Complete list of works
*
*
Knut Nystedt
Carus-Verlag
Carus-Verlag is a German music publisher founded in 1972 and based in Stuttgart.
Carus was founded by choral conductor Günter Graulich and his wife Waltraud with an emphasis on choral repertoire. The catalogue currently includes more than 26,00 ...
* Jens Staubrand: ''Kierkegaard International Bibliography Music Works and Plays'', Copenhagen 2009. In English and Danish. . Including Knut Nystedt's ''PRAYERS OF KIERKEGAARD'', for mixed choir a capella, the Kierkegaard words are taken from ''Addresses At Holy Communion On Fridays'', ''The Heathens’ Anxieties'' and ''The Journals''
Stemmer fra Musikken
has sound recordings with Knut Nystedt in Norwegian (NRK).
Norsk Musikforlag
List of works
supplied by the National Library of Norway
The National Library of Norway ( no, Nasjonalbiblioteket) was established in 1989. Its principal task is "to preserve the past for the future". The library is located both in Oslo and in Mo i Rana. The building in Oslo was restored and reopened i ...
{{DEFAULTSORT:Nystedt, Knut
1915 births
2014 deaths
Musicians from Oslo
20th-century classical composers
21st-century classical composers
20th-century Norwegian organists
21st-century Norwegian organists
Norwegian classical composers
Spellemannprisen winners
Composers awarded knighthoods
Norwegian classical organists
Male classical organists
Norwegian male classical composers
Choral composers
20th-century Norwegian male musicians
21st-century Norwegian male musicians