Renowned Danish music artist Per Nørgård has passed away. - Acclaimed Danish composer Per Nørgård passed away.
Renowned Danish Composer Per Nørgård Passes Away at 92
Danish Radio (DR) confirmed yesterday that acclaimed composer Per Nørgård passed away at the age of 92. The news was met with sadness in the music community, with Loui Törnqvist of Nørgård's music publisher Edition Wilhelm Hansen stating, "The musical significance of Per Nørgård cannot be overstated."
Nørgård dedicated his seven-decade career to crafting approximately 400 compositions, encompassing eight symphonies, six operas, choral works, and film music. Among his most notable works is the music for the 1988 Oscar-winning Danish film "Babette's Feast" (original title: "Babettes gæstebud").
In Denmark, Nørgård is often considered the successor to Carl Nielsen (1865-1931), considered one of the country's greatest composers. Throughout his long and illustrious career, Nørgård received numerous awards, including the prestigious German Ernst von Siemens Music Prize.
Throughout his works, Nørgård drew inspiration from a diverse array of sources, both musical and extra-musical. In his formative years, he was heavily influenced by the Nordic symphonic tradition, particularly the work of Sibelius, Nielsen, and his own teacher, Vagn Holmboe. His education and the musical environment at institutions like the Royal Danish Academy of Music and the Royal Academy of Music in Aarhus helped shape his early style and approach to composition.
Nørgård's development of the Infinity Series—a potentially infinite sequence of notes based on mathematical patterns—became a hallmark of his style, allowing for evolving melodies and new forms of polyphony. He incorporated other mathematical concepts, such as the Harmonic Series and Fibonacci Sequence, into his works, notably in Symphony No. 3.
Nørgård found inspiration in non-Western music, particularly gamelan music from Bali and Java, which influenced his later works and expanded his harmonic and textural palette. He also referenced myths, legends, and contemporary culture, as well as the art of Adolf Wölfli, in his compositions.
As a teacher, Nørgård influenced generations of composers, both in Denmark and internationally, including Hans Abrahamsen, Bent Sørensen, Thomas Adès, and many others. Through his writings, seminars, and talks, he engaged with poets, scientists, and visionary musicians, expanding his creative horizons.
MusicCopenhagen, DenmarkDanish Radio (DR)
- In light of Per Nørgård's passing, the music community may consider implementing a policy for vocational training to nurture future composers, ensuring the continuation of his musical legacy.
- To honor the memories of renowned composer Per Nørgård, the entertainment industry might consider organized events featuring performances of his works, such as symphonies or operas, as a form of tribute.
