Edvard Fliflet Bræin (23 August 1924 – 30 April 1976) was a Norwegian composer and conductor. He is best remembered for the composition Ut mot havet and the opera Anne Pedersdotter.
Edvard Fliflet Bræin | |
|---|---|
| Born | 23 August 1924 Kristiansund, Norway |
| Died | 30 April 1976 (aged 51) |
| Nationality | Norwegian |
| Occupation(s) | Composer and conductor |
| Parent | Edvard Bræin |
Personal life
editBræin was born in Kristiansund as the son of composer, conductor and organist Edvard Bræin (1887–1957)[1] and his wife Magnhild Fliflet. He married Karen Torjusen in 1946.[2]
Career
editBræin studied at the institution Musikkonservatoriet i Oslo from 1942 to 1945, and musical composition with Bjarne Brustad and conducting with Odd Grüner-Hegge.[2][3] His debut as conductor was in Bergen in 1947, with Musikselskabet Harmoniens orkester.[2] His first compositions were De glade musikanter and Konsertouverture from 1948. He studied composition with Jean Rivier in Paris from 1950 to 1951.[2]
Bræin wrote symphonies, compositions for piano and orchestra, for flute and orchestra, chamber music and operas.[4] His first symphony was finished in 1950, his second in 1954, and his third in 1968. His best-known composition is Ut mot havet from 1964, originally a song melody (with lyrics by Henrik Straumsheim), and later versions include an arrangement for orchestra, a piano version, and several choir versions. He has further composed melodies for songs with lyrics by Einar Skjæraasen, Jakob Sande, Hartvig Kiran and Johan Herman Wessel.[2]
He composed two operas. The opera Anne Pedersdotter was first performed at Den Norske Opera in 1971. It has a libretto by Hans Kristiansen based on a play by Hans Wiers-Jenssen, which was inspired by the witch trial in 1590 against Anne Pedersdotter, the widow of priest Absalon Pederssøn Beyer.[2] The comic opera Den Stundesløse, finished in 1975, is based on a comedy by Ludvig Holberg.[2]
Selected compositions
edit- Opera
- Anne Pedersdotter, opera in 4 acts, Op. 18 (1971); libretto by Hans Kristiansen after the play by Hans Wiers-Jensen
- Den Stundesløse (The Fidget), Op. 21 (1975)
- Orchestral
- Concert Overture, Op. 2 (1948)
- Symphony No. 1, Op. 4 (1950)
- Serenade, Op. 5 (1951–1952)
- Adagio for string orchestra, Op. 6 (1953)
- Symphony No.2, Op. 8 (1954)
- Symfonisk forspill (Symphonic Prelude), Op. 11 (1959)
- Largo for string orchestra, Op. 12 (1961)
- Liten Ouverture (Ouverture in Miniature), Op. 14
- Symphony No. 3, Op. 16 (1968)
- Ritmico e melodica, Op. 19 (1971)
- Havljom, Concert Overture, Op. 20 (1973)
- Concertante
- Serenade for viola and orchestra (1947)
- Capriccio for piano and orchestra, Op. 9 (1958)
- Concertino for flute and orchestra, Op. 10
- Chamber music
- The Merry Musicians for clarinet, violin, viola and cello, Op. 1 (1947)
- Divertimento for clarinet, violin, viola and cello, Op. 13 (1962)
- Trio for violin, viola and cello, Op. 15 (1964)
- Piano
- 2 Klaverstykker (2 Piano Pieces)
- Bånsull og Scherzo, Op. 7
- Vocal
- Einsleg for voice and orchestra, Op. 3
- Two Songs for voice and piano, Op. 17 (1968)
- Ut mot havet, Song for medium voice and piano; words by Henrik Straumsheim
References
edit- ^ Henriksen, Petter (ed.). "Edvard Bræin". Store norske leksikon (in Norwegian). Oslo: Kunnskapsforlaget. Retrieved 1 November 2009.
- ^ a b c d e f g Nesheim, Elef. "Edvard Fliflet Bræin". In Helle, Knut (ed.). Norsk biografisk leksikon (in Norwegian). Oslo: Kunnskapsforlaget. Retrieved 31 October 2009.
- ^ Øyvind Anker and Olav Gurvin, ed. (1949). "Bræin, Edvard Fliflet". Musikkleksikon (in Norwegian). Oslo: Dreyers Forlag.
- ^ Henriksen, Petter (ed.). "Edvard Fliflet Bræin". Store norske leksikon (in Norwegian). Oslo: Kunnskapsforlaget. Retrieved 31 October 2009.