Persen, John

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Persen, John

Persen, John, Norwegian composer; b. Porsanger, Norwegian Lapland, Nov. 9, 1941. He studied composition with Finn Mortensen at the Oslo Cons. (1968–73). From 1974 to 1976 he was president of Ny Musikk, the Norwegian section of the ISCM. His music follows the lines of the cosmopolitan avant-garde, with a mixture of jazz, rock, sonorism, and special effects (ČSV requires 2 pistol shots to be heard at the end of the work).

Works

dramatic: Opera: Under Kors og Krone (Under Cross and Crown; 1978–85). orch.:re-Verk (1972); Orkesterwerk II (Oslo, May 4,1974); ČSV (1976; Oslo, March 22, 1977); Stykket har ingen tittel (This Piece Has No Name; 1976; Trondheim, Jan. 20,1977); The John Persen’s Guide to the Orchestra (1990); Over kros og krone (1999). brass band:Music for Resting Marching Band (1977). chamber:Loops for Chamber Ensemble (1995); Recycled Encores for 2 Violins, Viola, and Cello (1996). vocal:Sámesiidat—ČSV for Chorus (1976); Ennl for Chorus, 2 Narrators, and Tape (1986); til a’Lisa for Mezzosoprano, Piano, and Percussion (1995). electronic:TTT-Things Take Time (1985); NotaBene (1988); Fuglan Veit (1988–89).

—Nicolas Slonimsky/Laura Kuhn/Dennis McIntire