Egil Hovland (October 18, 1924 – February 5, 2013) was a Norwegian composer. Hovland was born in

Råde Råde is a municipality in Østfold county, Norway. The administrative centre of the municipality is the village of Karlshus. The parish of ''Raade'' was established as a municipality on 1 January 1838. The neighbouring municipalities are Vå ...

. He studied at the

Oslo Oslo ( or ; ) 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 1,064,235 in 2022 ...

conservatory with

Arild Sandvold Arild Edvin Sandvold (June 2, 1895 – August 12, 1984) was a Norwegian organist, composer, and choir conductor. Sandvold spent most of his career as the cathedral organist and cantor at Oslo Cathedral and as an organ teacher at the Oslo Cons ...

and Bjarne Brustad, in

Copenhagen Copenhagen ( ) is the capital and most populous city of Denmark, with a population of 1.4 million in the Urban area of Copenhagen, urban area. The city is situated on the islands of Zealand and Amager, separated from Malmö, Sweden, by the ...

with

Vagn Holmboe Vagn Gylding Holmboe (; 20 December 1909 – 1 September 1996) was a Danish composer and teacher. Early life and education Vagn Holmboe was born in Horsens, Jutland, into a merchant family of dedicated amateur musicians. Both parents played the ...

, at

Tanglewood Tanglewood is a music venue and Music festival, festival in the towns of Lenox, Massachusetts, Lenox and Stockbridge, Massachusetts, Stockbridge in the Berkshire Hills of western Massachusetts. It has been the summer home of the Boston Symphony ...

with

Aaron Copland Aaron Copland (, ; November 14, 1900December 2, 1990) was an American composer, critic, writer, teacher, pianist, and conductor of his own and other American music. Copland was referred to by his peers and critics as the "Dean of American Compos ...

, and in

Florence Florence ( ; ) is the capital city of the Italy, Italian region of Tuscany. It is also the most populated city in Tuscany, with 362,353 inhabitants, and 989,460 in Metropolitan City of Florence, its metropolitan province as of 2025. Florence ...

with

Luigi Dallapiccola Luigi Dallapiccola (3 February 1904 – 19 February 1975) was an Italian composer known for his lyrical twelve-tone compositions. Biography Dallapiccola was born in Pisino d'Istria (at the time part of Austria-Hungary, current Pazin, Croati ...

. He was the organist and

choir A choir ( ), also known as a chorale or chorus (from Latin ''chorus'', meaning 'a dance in a circle') is a musical ensemble of singers. Choral music, in turn, is the music written specifically for such an ensemble to perform or in other words ...

leader Leadership, is defined as the ability of an individual, group, or organization to "", influence, or guide other individuals, teams, or organizations. "Leadership" is a contested term. Specialist literature debates various viewpoints on the co ...

Fredrikstad Fredrikstad (; previously ''Frederiksstad''; literally "Fredrik's Town") is a List of cities in Norway, city and Municipalities of Norway, municipality in Østfold Counties of Norway, county, Norway. The administrative centre of the municipal ...

from 1949 until his death. His many works include two

symphonies A symphony is an extended musical composition in Western classical music, most often for orchestra. Although the term has had many meanings from its origins in the ancient Greek era, by the late 18th century the word had taken on the meaning c ...

, a

concerto A concerto (; plural ''concertos'', or ''concerti'' from the Italian plural) is, from the late Baroque era, mostly understood as an instrumental composition, written for one or more soloists accompanied by an orchestra or other ensemble. The ...

for trumpet and strings, ''Music for Ten Instruments'', a set of variations for two pianos, and a

lament A lament or lamentation is a passionate expression of grief, often in music, poetry, or song form. The grief is most often born of regret, or mourning. Laments can also be expressed in a verbal manner in which participants lament about something ...

for orchestra. His sacred works include a ''Norwegian Te Deum'', a Gloria, a

Magnificat The Magnificat (Latin for "y soulmagnifies he Lord) is a canticle, also known as the Song of Mary or Canticle of Mary, and in the Byzantine Rite as the Ode of the Theotokos (). Its Western name derives from the incipit of its Latin text. This ...

, and numerous works for organ, and he was one of Norway's most noted church composers. He wrote in diverse styles, including Norwegian-Romantic, Gregorian, neo-classical,

twelve-tone The twelve-tone technique—also known as dodecaphony, twelve-tone serialism, and (in British usage) twelve-note composition—is a method of musical composition. The technique is a means of ensuring that all 12 notes of the chromatic scale ...

aleatoric Aleatoricism (or aleatorism) is a term for musical compositions and other forms of art resulting from "actions made by chance". The term was first used "in the context of electro-acoustics and information theory" to describe "a course of sound ...

, and serial. In honor of his work as a composer and organist, 1983 he was knighted into the Royal Norwegian Order of St. Olav. In 1992, he received the

Fritt Ord Honorary Award Fritt Ord Award consists of two prizes awarded by the Fritt Ord Foundation (''Stiftelsen Fritt Ord''). Two prizes are awarded in support of freedom of speech and freedom of expression; the Fritt Ord Award () and the Fritt Ord Honorary Award (). ...

. He was one of the most productive contemporary Norwegian composers.

Compositions

Works for orchestra

* 1951 ''Festival Ouverture'' opus 18 * 1952–1953 Symphony No. 1—''Symphonia Veris'' opus 20 * 1954–1955 Symphony No. 2, opus 24 * 1955 Concertino for 3 Trumpets and Strings, opus 23 * 1962 ''Concert Ouverture'' for orchestra, opus 39b * 1963 ''Lamenti per orchestra'' opus 43 * 1967 ''Fanfare and Choral'' for orchestra, opus 54b * 1968 ''Lilja—(Salomos høysang)'' opus 61, for speaker and orchestra * 1969 Rhapsody for symphony orchestra opus 65 * 1970 Symphony No. 3, for reciter, mixed choir, and orchestra, opus 30—Text: from the

Bible The Bible is a collection of religious texts that are central to Christianity and Judaism, and esteemed in other Abrahamic religions such as Islam. The Bible is an anthology (a compilation of texts of a variety of forms) originally writt ...

and O. Medbøe * 1970 ''The Most Beautiful Rose'' for speaker, 4 sopranos, orchestra, organ, and piano—Text:

Hans Christian Andersen Hans Christian Andersen ( , ; 2 April 1805 – 4 August 1875) was a Danish author. Although a prolific writer of plays, travelogue (literature), travelogues, novels, and poems, he is best remembered for his literary fairy tales. Andersen's fai ...

* 1972 Concerto for Trombone and Orchestra, opus 76 * 1974 Concerto for Violin and Orchestra, opus 81 * 1975 ''Noël-variations'' for orchestra, opus 84 * 1976–1977 Concerto No.1 for Piano and Orchestra, opus 91 * 1978 ''Tombeau de Bach'' suite, opus 95 * 1980 ''Intrada'' opus 105, for mixed choir (SATB), congregation, 2 brass ensembles (3 horns, 3 trumpets, 6 trombones, 2 tubas), orchestra, tympani, percussion, and organ—Text: D. Welander * 1983 ''Danses de la mort'' opus 127 for orchestra * 1986 Concerto for Piccolo Flute and Strings, opus 117 * 1996 Concerto for Oboe and Orchestra, opus 150 * 1996-1997 Concerto for viola and orchestra, opus 153 * 2000 ''De Profundis'' for baritone und orchestra * 1962/1974 ''August'' opus 34 no. 4, for singer and orchestra—Text: J. Handagard

Works for wind ensemble

* 1962 ''Festival ouverture'' opus 39a * 1966 ''Fanfare and Choral for Band'' opus 54a

Masses, cantatas, and sacred music

* 1962/1979 ''Gloria'' opus 40, for mixed choir (SATB), 2 trumpets, 2 horns, 3 trombones and tuba * 1965 ''Litany for the Feast of the Birth of Christ'' opus 49, for speaker, soprano, mixed choir (SATB), orchestra and organ - text: S. Ellingsen * 1966-1967 ''Rorate'' for 5 sopranos, organ, tape, chamber orchestra and percussion, opus 55 * 1967 ''Choral Cantata on a Norwegian Hymn'' choral cantata, opus 57, for mixed choir (SATB) and string orchestra * 1967 ''Missa vigilate'' opus 59, for solo soprano, solo baritone, mixed choir (SATB), dancers, organ and tape * 1968 ''Uppståndelsemässa'' opus 60, for mixed choir (SATB), 2 organs, 3 trumpets, 3 trombones, celebrant, and congregation * 1970 ''Vox populi IV'' Introitus- och ordinarie-sånger, opus 68, for children's choir, mixed choir (SATB), congregation, 2 organs, instruments ad lib. * 1970 ''Allehelgensmesse'' opus 70, for soprano, mixed choir (SATB), organ, 3 trumpets, 3 trombones, celebrant, congregation - text: Olav Hillestad * 1971 ''Missa brevis'' opus 73, for mixed choir (SATB), organ, celebrant, congregation - text: Olaf Hillestad * 1972/2000 ''Brønnen'' church opera in 2 acts, op. 77 * 1973 ''Missa misericordiae'' for mixed choir, opus 80 * 1974 ''Kyrkans eviga lovsång'' opus 82, for three mixed choirs, 2 horns, 2 trombones, tuba, bells and organ * 1980 ''Meditation'' opus 115, for speaker, mixed choir (SATB), congregation, organ, and orchestra * 1982 ''Pilgrimsmesse'' opus 111, for mixed choir (SATB), organ, 3 flugelhorns, 2 horns, 3 trombones, tuba, celebrant, congregation - text: Britt G. Hallqvist / Eyvind Skeie * 1984 ''Preludier og satser til Inngangssalmer'' opus 130, for mixed choir (SATB), organ, 2 trumpets, 2 trombones and flute (ad lib) * 1990 ''Sammen for Guds ansikt'' opus 143, for mixed choir (SATB), organ, 3 trumpets, 2 horns, 2 trombones, bass trombone and tuba * 1991 ''Herre, du omgir meg'' Music for the Opening Procession at the Blessing of King

Harald V Harald V (, ; born 21 February 1937) has been King of Norway since 1991. A member of the House of Glücksburg, Harald was the third child and only son of King Olav V of Norway and Princess Märtha of Sweden. He was second in the line of succ ...

in the

Nidaros Cathedral Nidaros Cathedral () is a Church of Norway cathedral located in the city of Trondheim in Trøndelag county. It is built over the burial site of Olav II of Norway, King Olav II ( 995–1030, reigned 1015–1028), who became the patron saint of th ...

, 23 June 1991, opus 139, for two mixed choirs (SATB), youth choir, 4 horns, 4 trombones, 3 trumpets, organ and tympani * 1991 ''Dette er dagen som Herren har gjort'' Music for the Final Procession at the Blessing of King

in the

, 23 June 1991, opus 139, for mixed choir (SATB), 4 horns, 4 trombones, 3 trumpets, organ and tympani * 1994 ''Diakoni-messe'' opus 145b, for mixed choir (SATB), 2 trumpets, 2 trombones, organ, congregation and liturgical recitation * 1995 ''Stå opp, Jerusalem, bli lys'' Bibelsk salme for mixed choir and instruments (ad. lib.), opus 107, nr 22 * 1998 ''Muziek voor een familie-miss'' opus 88 * 1999 ''Fred! Det er jeg'' cantata, opus 165 * 2001 ''Jeg er Herrens tjenerinne'' for choir, instruments, and joining singers ad lib., opus 146 nr. 6 * ''Du såg mig'' Variationer kring psaltarpsalm 139, opus 155, for soprano solo, alto solo, two mixed choirs (SATB), 2 trumpets, 2 trombones, percussion, organ and congregation ad lib * ''Missa verbi'' opus 78, for mixed choir (SATB), 3 trumpets, 3 horns, 3 trombones, tuba, organ, celebrant, congregation - text: K.Hafstad; Olav Hillestad; J.Smemo * ''Stay With Us''(orig. 'Bliv hos os') -- from the oratorio or 'church opera' FANGE OG FRI, translated into English as "Captive and Free"—for mixed choir (SATB) and string orchestra

Works for choir

* 1957 ''The Glory of the Father'' for mixed choir (SATB) - text: John 1 * 1968 ''How long, o Lord'' opus 58, for mixed choir - text: Psalm 13 * 1986 ''Return, My Soul'' motet, opus 87 No 5, for choir (SATB), soprano solo - text: Psalm 116: 7, 5, 8, 3, 4 * 1989 ''Det finnes en dyrebar rose'' for mixed choir - text:

Svein Ellingsen Svein Ørnulf Ellingsen (13 July 1929 – 5 April 2020) was a Norwegian visual artist and hymnist. Biography Ellingsen was born in Kongsberg to Fritz Frølich Ellingsen and Karoline Enge. His books include the poetry collections ''Det skjulte n� ...

* 1990-1991 ''Credo'' opus 137 no 1, for mixed choir * 1993 ''Min sjel tørster etter Gud'' Biblical Psalm, for choir (SATB), congregation, ad lib: 2 trumpets, 2 trombones, violin and organ - text: Psalm 42 * ''Agnus Dei'' Concerto for bassoon and mixed choir a capella * ''Dag over Norge'' for mixed choir - text: Andreas Hansen * ''De salige'' motet for mixed choir - text: Matthew 5, 7-8 * ''De ydmyke '': motet for mixed choir - tekst: Luke 1, 51-53 and 14, 11 * ''Den som ber, han får'' for choir (SATB) and organ ad lib. - text: Luke 11, 10, 13 * ''Herre, vår Herre'' motet for mixed choir - text: Psalms 8, 2 ; John 3, 14-15 * ''Hosianna i det høyeste'' motet for mixed choir - text: Mark 11, 10 ; John 12, 24 ; Isaiah 53, 12 * ''Jerusalem'' for mixed choir - text: Luke 19, 42-44 (English translation: Leland B. Sateren) * ''Talsmannen, Den Hellige Ånd'' for mixed choir - text: John 14, 26, 23 and 15, 5 * ''The Law and the Prophets'' for mixed choir - text: Bible

Vocal music with piano or organ

* 1962 ''Gloria'' opus 40b * 1962 ''O store Gud vi lover deg'' Choral cantata, opus 41b, for choir (SATB), organ, congregation - text: '' Landstads reviderte salmebok'' No 31 * 1964 ''Lovad vare Herren, Israels Gud'' - text: Luke 1, 68. * 1971 ''Saul'' opus 74, for mixed choir (SATB), speaker and organ - text: Bible * 1978 ''Be with us'' for mixed choir (SATB) and organ, opus 87 No 3 - text: Luke 24, 29 and Jonah 2:3-10 * ''Cantate Domino'' Introit, opus 38 * ''Gloria in excelsis Deo'' motet, opus 5 no 1 * ''Jubilate'' for mixed choir (SATB), organ, solo singer - text: Psalms 66, 1-3 * ''Sing the Joyful Sound'' for mixed choir (SATB), children's choir, congregation and organ

Chamber music

* 1950 ''Suite'' for flute and piano, opus 15 * 1959 ''Suite'' for flute and percussion, opus 31 * 1965 ''Trio'' for violin, cello and piano, opus 48

Works for organ

* 1947 ''Chorale Partita No. 1'' opus 7 * 1948 ''Improvisata - Hymnus in Honorem Sancti Magni, Comitis Orcadiæ'' opus 9 * 1954-1956 ''Suite for Organ No 1'' opus 21 *# Klippe du som brast for meg *# O bli hos meg * 1959 ''Chorale Partita No. 3'' opus 32 * 1965 ''Elementa pro organo'' opus 52 *# Introitus *# Improvisation *# Ostinato *# Passacaglia *# Completorium. * 1967 ''Chorale Partita No. 5'' opus 56 * 1969-1970 ''Four Interludes to "Missa Vigilate"'' opus 67 * 1973 ''Job'' suite no. 2 voor orgel, opus 79 * 1973 ''Nu la oss takke Gud'' Organ Toccata * 1975 ''Chorale Partita No. 6 - "Gelobt sei Gott im höchsten Thron"'' opus 90, on the tune by Vulpius * 1978/1993 ''Hosanna'' for organ, opus 135, No. 2 * 1979 ''Crux Ave - Variationen über " Jerusalem, du hochgebaute Stadt"'' Organ partita VII * 1981 ''Il canto del mare per organo'' opus 114 * 1982 ''Cantus V'' for trombone and organ, opus 120 * 1989 ''Lux aeterna for Organ'' * ''5 Chorale Preludes'' * ''Chorale Partita No. 2'' opus 10 * ''Interlude from the Opera "Brunnen"'' * ''Organ Chorales'' Volume 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 en 6 * ''Orgel-Te Deum'' opus 8 * ''100 Psalm Preludes''

Works for piano

* 1992 ''Dette er dagen som Herren har gjort'' Utgangsmusikk ved signingsgudstjenesten i Nidarosdomen 23 June 1991, opus 139 * 1995 ''Getsemane'' Parafrase for piano over en melodi av ''Asa Hull'', opus 29, no. 5 * ''In memoriam'' Paraphrase for Piano on the Hymn "Jordens Gud, stjärnornas Herre", opus 154 * ''Little Babe'' opus 29, no. 4 * ''Rondino for Piano'' opus 29 no. 2 * ''Scherzo'' opus 29 no. 1

Books

Norsk Musikforlag Norsk Musikforlag Aktieselskap is a Norwegian publisher that specializes in music-related publications such as method books and sheet music Sheet music is a handwritten or printed form of musical notation that uses musical symbols to indi ...

: ''Egil Hovland: Et liv med musikk - (Het leven met muziek)''. Norsk Musikforlag, Oslo. 1994. 152 pages. * Norsk Musikforlag: ''Festskrift til Egil Hovland på 50-årsdagen, 18 oktober 1974'' Norsk Musikforlag, Oslo. 1974. 180 pages * Egil Hovland: ''Stay With Us (St. Olaf Choral Series)''. Augsburg Fortress Publishers. 2001. * David Eugene Tryggestad: ''A Comprehensive Performance Project in Organ Literature with a Study of the Organ Music of Egil Hovland'', The University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa. 1984. 77 pages.

References

* Herresthal, Harald. 2001. "Hovland, Egil". ''The New Grove Dictionary of Music and Musicians'', second edition, edited by

Stanley Sadie Stanley John Sadie (; 30 October 1930 – 21 March 2005) was a British musicologist, music critic, and editor. He was editor of the sixth edition of the '' Grove Dictionary of Music and Musicians'' (1980), which was published as the first edition ...

and John Tyrrell. London: Macmillan Publishers. *Johannessen, Geir Harald. 1999. ''Egil Hovland: Englene danser på tangentene''. Oslo: Lunde. . * Kennedy, Michael (2006), ''The Oxford Dictionary of Music'', second edition. Oxford and New York: Oxford University Press.

External links

* , performed by the National Lutheran Choir at the Basilica of Saint Mary, Minneapolis, MN. {{DEFAULTSORT:Hovland, Egil Norwegian male classical composers Norwegian classical organists Norwegian male classical organists Norwegian choral conductors Norwegian male conductors (music) 1924 births 2013 deaths Composers awarded knighthoods Musicians from Fredrikstad People from Råde 20th-century Norwegian classical composers Pupils of Vagn Holmboe Pupils of Aaron Copland 20th-century Norwegian conductors (music) Norwegian expatriates in Denmark Norwegian expatriates in the United States Norwegian expatriates in Italy