Knut Nystedt

Biography

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, 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 and Gregorian chants, have had a major influence on his compositions.

Career

Nystedt studied with Aaron Copland 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 from 1964 to 1985.
Nystedt founded and conducted the Norwegian Soloists' Choir from 1950 to 1990. He also founded and conducted the Schola Cantorum 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; 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×Contemporary Music from Norway1978 · Studio albumSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 7 tracks1Lucis creator optime25:282.1Resurrexit9:052.2Pia Memoria: Requiem aeterna dona eis3:382.3Pia Memoria: Dies irae2:402.4Pia Memoria: Lacrimosa dies illa2:282.5Pia Memoria: Sanctus2:562.6Pia Memoria: Lux Aeterna3:27 and received the music prize of the Arts Council Norway in 1980. In 1965, De Profundis was bestowed with the Work of the Year award of the Norwegian Society of Composers. 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.
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.

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, 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

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