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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 countries, Nordic country located on the Scandinavian Peninsula in Northern Europe. The remote Arctic island of Jan Mayen and the archipelago of Svalbard also form part of the Kingdom of ...
, 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''; , ''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 Prenestina. It is built upon ...
and
Gregorian chant Gregorian chant is the central tradition of Western plainsong, plainchant, a form of monophony, monophonic, unaccompanied sacred song in Latin (and occasionally Greek language, Greek) of the Roman Catholic Church. Gregorian chant developed main ...
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, 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 ...
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 (; ) is a public university, public research university located in Oslo, Norway. It is the List of oldest universities in continuous operation#Europe, oldest university in Norway. Originally named the Royal Frederick Univ ...
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 ( being ) 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 The Schol ...
from 1964 to 1985. The choir
Ensemble 96 Ensemble 96 is a Norwegian chamber choir located in Oslo. The choir works mainly with contemporary music and is partly funded by government grants. It has released several CDs, and given concerts and participated in national and international chora ...
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 () 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 1871, and was esta ...
; ''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 The Royal Norwegian Order of Saint Olav (; or ''Sanct Olafs Orden'', the old Norwegian name) is a Norwegian order of chivalry instituted by King Oscar I on 21 August 1847. It is named after King Olav II, known to posterity as St. Olav. Just be ...
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 (, often shortened to ''Kulturrådet'') is the official arts council for Norway. Based in Oslo, it is a Norwegian state institution created in as a result of a parliamentary decision in 1964. Arts Council Norway's admini ...
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 () 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 close to 400 members who meet regularly for discussions and seminars ...
. 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 ; ) 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 ...
. 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 ; plural: Missae breves) usually refers to a mass (music), Mass composition that is short because part of the text of the Mass ordinary that is usually set to music in a full Mass (liturgy), Mass is left out, or because its execution time is rel ...
, 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 () 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 1871, and was esta ...
, ''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 ( Norwegian: Bergen filharmoniske orkester) 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 M ...
, ''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 () 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 1871, and was esta ...
, The Norwegian Soloists' Choir, ''Knut Nystedt – Lucis creator optime, 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 () 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 1871, and was esta ...
, ''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 includes more than 26,000 works ...
* 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 () 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 in 2005. Prior to the e ...
{{DEFAULTSORT:Nystedt, Knut 1915 births 2014 deaths Musicians from Oslo 20th-century Norwegian classical composers 21st-century Norwegian classical composers 20th-century Norwegian organists 21st-century Norwegian organists Spellemannprisen winners Composers awarded knighthoods Norwegian classical organists Norwegian male classical organists Norwegian male classical composers Choral composers 20th-century Norwegian male musicians 21st-century Norwegian male musicians