In his 'Minnesota' Symphony, Harald Sæverud uses unconventional 'percussion instruments' like real sheepbells tuned to B-D-F and sealed boxes knocked against each other, not to copy machine sounds but to personify them.
Composer Biography
Harald Sæverud, the composer on this album, is considered by many to be the leading Norwegian composer after Edvard Grieg and received a televised state funeral in 1992.
Composition History
Harald Sæverud's 'Minnesota' Symphony was commissioned by the State of Minnesota to mark its 100th anniversary and was first performed in 1958 to great success.
Composer's Artistic Vision
Harald Sæverud, the composer, believed melody was the most important building block in music and dismissed post-war 'isms,' stating electronic music might serve as entertainment for robots.
Composition History
The final revision of Harald Sæverud's Cello Concerto was undertaken in 1998 by Norwegian composer and bassoonist Robert Rønnes, who worked closely with Sæverud on other revisions.
Composer Biography
Harald Sæverud, the composer, was deeply affected by his prosperous father's bankruptcy when he was 13, which likely contributed to his escape into the world of music.
Composition History
The Cello Concerto by Harald Sæverud, written in 1930-31, was problematic for him; the original score is lost, and he attempted a revision in 1954 but never completed it.
