Klaus Egge

Klaus Egge (July 19, 1906  – March 7, 1979) was a Norwegian composer and music critic. He was born in Gransherad, Telemark, and died in Oslo. His music, often called a stream of will, is characterized by its polyphony and a strong rhythmical energy.

Music

Egge's musical development can be separated into three periods. In the first period, folk music was the central source of inspiration. The composer's first piano sonata, a staple of the Norwegian repertoire, dates from this first period. The second period is the period where Egge develops a more universal tonal language. The second period peaks with his development into a metamorphic technique, one where a musical motif undergoes repeated transformations. The third period can be defined as the time Egge explores the twelve-tone technique.

Egge's major works include five symphonies, three piano concertos, one violin concerto, one cello concerto and numerous chamber works.

Klaus Egge is buried at Vår Frelsers gravlund in Oslo.

References

• Young Composers (released under the GNU Free Documentation License)
• Kennedy, Michael (2006), The Oxford Dictionary of Music, 985 pages, ISBN 0-19-861459-4