Short bio Johan Halvorsen
Birthday:
1864 in Drammen, Norway
Died:
1935 in Oslo, Norway
Genre:
Classical
Period:
Modern
Full biography Johan Halvorsen
Johan Halvorsen was a Norwegian composer born on March 15, 1864, in Drammen, Norway. He began his music career as a violinist, studying at the Oslo Conservatory before moving to Leipzig to further his studies under prominent musicians, including his idol, Felix Mendelssohn. Halvorsen's passion for music led him to become a conductor, composer, arranger, and violinist of great acclaim.
Halvorsen composed several works, including operas, ballets, suites, and concertos. Among his most famous compositions are Sarabande con Variazioni, Suite Ancienne No. 1, and Symphony No. 1. Halvorsen's compositions are known for their stirring melodies, effective use of harmonies, and engaging rhythms.
Halvorsen is perhaps best known for his orchestral arrangement of the traditional Norwegian folk tune, "Mellom bakkar og berg." The original tune was a simple melody with a basic accompaniment, but Halvorsen transformed it into a rich, dynamic piece with a full orchestral accompaniment. He also wrote his own variations on the tune, adding his own unique touch.
Halvorsen was also a prolific arranger, creating many transcriptions and adaptations of works by other composers. He arranged pieces by Tchaikovsky, Handel, Mussorgsky, and Brahms, among others. Halvorsen's arrangements often feature virtuosic violin parts, reflecting his own instrumental skills.
In addition to his compositional and arranging work, Halvorsen was a respected conductor and educator. He served as music director for the Bergen Philharmonic Orchestra in Norway and conducted numerous other orchestras throughout Europe. He also taught at the Oslo Conservatory, where his pupils included future composers such as Fartein Valen.
Halvorsen died on December 4, 1935, in Oslo, Norway, leaving behind a legacy of outstanding works and arrangements that continue to inspire and delight listeners today.
Compositions featuring Johan Halvorsen
| # | Name | Duration | Genre | Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Norway's Greeting to Theodore Roosevelt, for hardanger fiddle & orchestra | 8:08 min | Orchestral | 1910 |
| 2 | Minatures (5), for violin & piano, Op. 29 | 12:16 min | Chamber Music | 1910 |
| 3 | Violin Concerto, Op. 28 | 21:47 min | Concerto | 1907 |
| 4 | Hilsen til Norges Kongepar, for band | 4:31 min | Band Music | 1905 |
| 5 | Fossegrimen, incidental music, Op. 21 | 34:14 min | Orchestral | 1904 |
| 6 | Suite Mosaique, for violin & piano | 21:35 min | Chamber Music | 1898 |
| 7 | Crépuscule, for violin & piano | 4:11 min | Chamber Music | 1898 |
| 8 | Passacaglia and Sarabande with variations for violin & viola in G major, Op. 20/2 (after Handel) | 7:02 min | Chamber Music | 1897 |
| 9 | Elegie, for violin & piano | 2:17 min | Chamber Music | 1897 |
| 10 | Entry March of the Boyars (Bojarernes Indtogsmarsch), for orchestra | 4:36 min | Orchestral | 1895 |
| 11 | Suite for violin & piano in G minor | 22:01 min | Chamber Music | 1890 |
| 12 | Stimmungsbilder, for violin & piano | 13:25 min | Chamber Music | 189? |
| 13 | Vasantasena, suite | 23:09 min | - | |
| 14 | Østerdalsmarschen (March of the Østerdalesmen), for chorus, Op. 23 | 3:03 min | Choral | - |
| 15 | Norwegian Dance for violin & orchestra No. 1 | 3:55 min | Concerto | - |
| 16 | Wedding March for violin & orchestra, Op. 32/1 | 4:47 min | Concerto | - |
| 17 | Norwegian Dance for violin & orchestra No. 2 | 3:41 min | Concerto | - |
| 18 | Norwegian Dance for violin & orchestra No. 3 | 5:34 min | Concerto | - |
| 19 | Norwegian Dance for violin & orchestra No. 5 | 5:08 min | Concerto | - |
| 20 | Norwegian Dance for violin & orchestra No. 6 | 7:29 min | Concerto | - |
| 21 | Norwegian Festival Overture for orchestra, Op 16 | 7:51 min | Orchestral | - |
| 22 | Norwegian Rhapsody for orchestra No. 1 in A major | 10:13 min | Orchestral | - |
| 23 | Norwegian Rhapsody for orchestra No. 2 in G major | 9:05 min | Orchestral | - |
| 24 | Veslemoys Song for violin & orchestra | 2:32 min | Concerto | - |
| 25 | Passacaglia (after Händel's Suite No. 7 in G minor), for violin & cello | 6:44 min | Chamber Music | - |
| 26 | Symphony No. 1 in C minor | 36:59 min | Symphony | - |
| 27 | Rabnabryllaup uti Kraakjalund (Wedding of Ravens in the Grove of the Crows), Norwegian folk melody arranged for string orchestra | 4:03 min | Orchestral | - |
| 28 | Sarabande and variations (on a theme of Handel), for violin & viola | 9:12 min | Chamber Music | - |
| 29 | Scenes From Norwegian Fairytales for orchestra, Op 37 | 18:10 min | Orchestral | - |
| 30 | Tordenskjold, suite | 11:59 min | - | |
| 31 | Sorte Svaner (Black Swans), for orchestra | 5:00 min | Orchestral | - |
| 32 | Mascarade Suite | 27:48 min | Miscellaneous (Classical) | - |
| 33 | The Old Fisherman's Song | 2:31 min | Chamber Music | - |
| 34 | The Merchant of Venice, suite for orchestra | 16:11 min | Orchestral | - |
| 35 | Suite Ancienne, Op. 31 | 27:21 min | Miscellaneous (Classical) | - |
| 36 | Symphony No. 3 in C major | 27:44 min | Symphony | - |
| 37 | Symphony No. 2 in D minor ("Fate") | 31:06 min | Symphony | - |
| 38 | Fanitullen, for narrator & ensemble | 4:03 min | Miscellaneous (Classical) | - |
| 39 | Andante con moto, for string quartet in E minor | 6:39 min | Chamber Music | - |
| 40 | Andante Religioso for violin & orchestra | 6:41 min | Concerto | - |
| 41 | Askeladden, suite for orchestra | 15:26 min | Orchestral | - |
| 42 | Bergensiana for orchestra | 10:03 min | Orchestral | - |
| 43 | Bjørnstjerne Bjørnson in memoriam, for orchestra, Op. 30 | 7:12 min | Orchestral | - |
| 44 | Brudefølget drager forbi (Norwegian Bridal Procession), for orchestra (after Grieg) | 3:34 min | Orchestral | - |
| 45 | Brurefæle Kjem In I Garden, for Hardanger fiddle | 1:15 min | Chamber Music | - |
| 46 | Capriccio, allegro de concert for violin & piano, Op. 9 | 7:11 min | Chamber Music | - |
| 47 | Chant de Veslemoy | 3:27 min | Miscellaneous (Classical) | - |
| 48 | Concert Caprice on Norwegian Melodies, for 2 violins | 6:15 min | Chamber Music | - |
| 49 | Danse Norvegienne | Miscellaneous (Classical) | - | |
| 50 | Danse visionaire ("Maaneskinsmøyarne"), for violin & piano | 5:43 min | Chamber Music | - |
| 51 | Danse Visionare | 7:53 min | Miscellaneous (Classical) | - |
| 52 | Dronning Tamara (Queen Tamara), incidental music | Orchestral | - | |
| 53 | Nordraakiana, suite for orchestra | 16:31 min | Orchestral | - |
| 54 | Fansmarch, for Hardanger fiddle | 0:35 min | Chamber Music | - |
| 55 | Fossegrimen, suite for orchestra, Op. 21a | 29:53 min | Orchestral | - |
| 56 | Guris Vise, for Handanger fiddle | 1:28 min | Chamber Music | - |
| 57 | Gurre, dramatic suite for orchestra | 34:41 min | Orchestral | - |
| 58 | Hallingdal Bataljonsmarsj, for band | 3:21 min | Band Music | - |
| 59 | Han Ola, for Hardanger fiddle | 1:31 min | Chamber Music | - |
| 60 | I Fjol Gjet E Gjeitin, for Hardanger fiddle | 1:43 min | Chamber Music | - |
| 61 | Jeg Lagde Meg Saa Silde, for Hardanger fiddle | 1:54 min | Chamber Music | - |
| 62 | La Mélancolie, for string orchestra (after Ole Bull's "Lament") | 2:34 min | Orchestral | - |
| 63 | Little Dance Suite, for violin & piano, Op. 22 | 14:54 min | Chamber Music | - |
| 64 | Little Masquerade Suite, for band | 9:50 min | Band Music | - |
| 65 | Maiden's Song | 2:39 min | Chamber Music | - |
| 66 | Air Norvégien for violin & orchestra, Op. 7 | 6:36 min | Concerto | - |
Albums featuring Johan Halvorsen
| # | Сover | Name album | Year | Music label |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  |
Carl Nielsen / Johan Halvorsen / Johan Svendsen, Bremer Philharmoniker, Mikhail Agrest, Lisa Jacobs – Violin Concerto Op. 33 | Andante Religioso | Romance Op. 26(CD, Album) | 2019 | Challenge Classics |
| 2 |  |
Atterberg ∙ Wirén ∙ Sibelius ∙ Bræin ∙ Halvorsen ∙ Svendsen ∙ Sinding ∙ Bull ∙ Alm, LGT Young Soloists, Alexander Gilman – Nordic Dream (Works For String Orchestra)(CD, ) | 2018 | RCA Red Seal |
| 3 |  |
Johan Halvorsen / Carl Nielsen / Johan Svendsen / Henning Kraggerud, Malmö Symphony Orchestra, Bjarte Engeset – Violin Concertos - Romance(CD, Album) | 2017 | Naxos |
| 4 |  |
Julia Fischer (4), Daniel Müller-Schott - Kodaly / Schulhoff / Ravel / Halvorsen – Duo Sessions(CD, Stereo) | 2016 | Orfeo (2) |
| 5 |  |
Halvorsen • Kvandal • Nyhus - Åshild Breie Nyhus, Ingfrid Breie Nyhus – Hardanger Fiddle In Art Music(CD, Album) | 2016 | Simax Classics |
| 6 |  |
Johan Halvorsen - Bergen Philharmonic Orchestra : Neeme Järvi – Orchestral Works(Box Set, Reissue, Stereo, 4×CD, Album, Reissue, Stereo) | 2014 | Chandos |
| 7 |  |
Johan Halvorsen, Neeme Järvi, Bergen Philharmonic Orchestra, Melina Mandozzi, Ilze Klava – Orchestral Works Vol. 4(CD, Album) | 2012 | Chandos |
| 8 |  |
Johan Halvorsen - Ragnhild Hemsing, Marianne Thorsen, Bergen Philharmonic Orchestra, Neeme Järvi – Orchestral Works Vol. 3(CD, Album) | 2011 | Chandos |
| 9 |  |
Johan Halvorsen, Antonio Bruni, Natalia Lomeiko, Yuri Zhislin – Sarabande / Passacaglia / Concert Caprice On Norwegian Melodies / Six Duos Concertants | 2011 | Naxos |
| 10 |  |
Johan Halvorsen, Marianne Thorsen, Bergen Philharmonic Orchestra, Neeme Järvi – Orchestral Works, Vol. 2(CD, Album) | 2010 | Chandos |
| 11 |  |
Johan Halvorsen, Neeme Järvi, Bergen Philharmonic Orchestra, Marianne Thorsen – Orchestral Works Vol.1(CD, Album) | 2010 | Chandos |
| 12 |  |
Halvorsen • Sæverud • Valen • Tveitt • Iceland Symphony Orchestra, Bjarte Engeset – Norwegian Classical Favourites(CD, Album) | 2004 | Naxos |
| 13 |  |
Erwin Schulhoff / Johan August Halvorsen / Zoltán Kodály / Maurice Ravel – Kyung Sun Lee / Tilmann Wick – Ravel • Schulhoff • Kodály • Halvorsen(CD, Album) | 2003 | Audite |
| 14 |  |
Johan Halvorsen(CD, Album) | 2003 | 2L |
| 15 |  |
Johan Halvorsen / Arve Moen Bergset / Latvian National Symphony Orchestra / Terje Mikkelsen – Fossegrimen Op.21 - Norway's Greeting To Theodore Roosevelt Op.31(CD, Album) | 2002 | Simax Classics |
| 16 |  |
Kennedy · Harrell - Ravel · Kodály · Bach · Handel - Halvorsen – Duos For Violin & Cello | 2000 | EMI Classics |
| 17 |  |
Johan Halvorsen, Latvian National Symphony Orchestra, Terje Mikkelsen – Stage Music 1(CD, Album) | 1999 | Simax Classics |
| 18 |  |
Johan Halvorsen, Latvian National Symphony Orchestra, Terje Mikkelsen – Stage Music 2(CD, Album) | 1999 | Simax Classics |
| 19 |  |
Bull, Halvorsen, Grieg, Sinding, Svendsen, Henning Kraggerud, Razumovsky Symphony Orchestra, Bjarte Engeset – Norwegian Violin Favourites | 1999 | Naxos |
| 20 |  |
Johan Halvorsen, Norwegian Radio Orchestra Conducted By Ari Rasilainen – Suite Ancienne Mascarade(CD, Album) | 1995 | Norsk Kulturråds Klassikerserie |
| 21 |  |
Brahms • Dvořák • Šnitke • Zimbalist • Vieuxtemps • Halvorsen • Wieniawski – Prague Salon At The Nostitz Palace(CD, ) | 1994 | Pragokoncert |
| 22 |  |
Halvorsen, Rolla, Glière, Henry Raudales, Freddy Van Goethem – Duets For Violin And Viola(CD, ) | 1994 | Pavane Records |
| 23 |  |
Arnold, Bull, Cleve, Elling, Grieg, Grøndahl, Halvorsen, Nathan, Olsen, Sinding, Svendsen – Mountain King Magic A Rich Selection Of Norwegian Classical Music From The Norwegian Cultural Council's CD Series | 1993 | Norsk Kulturråds Klassikerserie |
| 24 |  |
Vilhelm Krag, Johan Halvorsen, Ivar Og Eivind Bøksle, Kringkastingsorkestret , Dirigent: Terje Boye Hansen – Skjærgårdsviser(CD, Album) | 1993 | Grappa |
| 25 |  |
Zoltán Kodály, Maurice Ravel, Johan Halvorsen - Christoph Henkel, Gérard Poulet – Sonate Opus 8 Pour Violoncelle / Sonate Pour Violon Et Violoncelle / Passacaille En Sol Mineur(CD, Stereo) | 1991 | Harmonic Records |
| 26 |  |
Johan Svendsen, Johan Halvorsen, Trondheim Symphony Orchestra, Ole Kristian Ruud – Norwegian Rhapsodies(CD, Album) | 1991 | Simax Classics |
| 27 |  |
Albert Sammons, Lionel Tertis - Mozart, Handel, Halvorsen, Mendelssohn – Albert Sammons & Lionel Tertis(CD, Compilation) | 1990 | Biddulph Recordings |
| 28 |  |
Terje Tønnesen, Reidun Askeland, Lars Anders Tomter, Grieg • Brustad • Halvorsen – Grieg • Brustad • Halvorsen(CD, Album) | 1990 | Victoria (2) |
| 29 |  |
Ippolitov-Ivanov • Liadov • Kabalevsky • Rubinstein • Mussorgsky • Halvorsen – Russian Fireworks | 1990 | Naxos |
| 30 |  |
Johan Halvorsen, Trondheim Symphony Orchestra, Ole Kristian Ruud – Symphony No.2 (Fatum) In D Minor / Symphony No.3 In C Major(CD, Album, Stereo) | 1990 | Simax |
| 31 |  |
Grieg, Svendsen, Kjerulf, Bull, Nordraak, Halvorsen, Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, Per Dreier – Norwegian Rhapsody | 1989 | RPO Records (2) |
| 32 |  |
Sibelius, Dong-Suk Kang, Slovak Radio Symphony Orchestra, Adrian Leaper – Violin Concerto | 1989 | Naxos |
| 33 |  |
Johan Halvorsen - Trondheim Symphony Orchestra, Ole Kristian Ruud – Symphony No.1 • Nordkraakiana | 1988 | Aurora (5) |
| 34 |  |
Johan Halvorsen, Stephan Barratt-Due Jr., Soon-Mi Chung, Bergen Philharmonic Orchestra, Karsten Andersen – Norwegian Rhapsody No 1 & 2 • Norwegian Festival Overture Op. 16 • Entry Of The Boyars • Bergensiana, (Rococco Variations) • Andante Religioso • | 1988 | Norsk Kulturråds Klassikerserie |
| 35 |  |
Jean-Marie Leclair, Sergei Prokofiev, Louis Spohr, Georg Friedrich Händel, Johan Halvorsen, Duo Mazurkevich – Violins - Violons(LP, Album, Stereo) | 1981 | sne (Société Nouvelle d'Enregistrement) |
| 36 |  |
Gamben-Ensemble Des Erlanger Musikinstitutes, Bruch, Fauré, Rachmaninow, Tárrega, Halvorsen, Händel, Kreisler, Glasunow, Shinohara, Telemann – Erlanger Musikinstitut - Piéces En Concert(LP) | 1981 | Erlanger Musikinstitut E.V. |
| 37 |  |
Johan Halvorsen, Den Norske Operas Orkester, Oslo, Øivind Bergh – Musikk For Teatret(LP) | 1981 | Norsk Kulturråds Klassikerserie |
| 38 |  |
Johan Halvorsen, Terje Tønnesen, Filharmonisk Selskaps Orkester, Oslo, Karsten Andersen – Air Norvegien - Tre Norske Danser - Veslemøys Sang - Danse Visionaire - Norske Eventyrbilleder(LP) | 1980 | Norsk Kulturråds Klassikerserie |
| 39 |  |
Johan Halvorsen, Musikselskabet «Harmonien»'s Orkester, Bergen, Karsten Andersen – Suite Ancienne / Norske Rapsodier Nr. 1 Og Nr. 2(LP) | 1979 | Norsk Kulturråds Klassikerserie |
| 40 |  |
Johan Halvorsen, Filharmonisk Selskaps Orkester, Oslo, Karsten Andersen – Symfoni Nr. 2 «Fatum» D-moll(LP, Stereo) | 1979 | Norsk Kulturråds Klassikerserie |
| 41 |  |
Johan Halvorsen, Sigbjørn Bernhoft Osa, Kringkastingsorkestret, Øivind Bergh – Fossegrimen Op. 21 / Mascarade - Suite(LP) | 1978 | Norsk Kulturråds Klassikerserie |
| 42 |  |
Alessandro Rolla , Niccolò Paganini, Johan Halvorsen - Salvatore Accardo, Luigi Alberto Bianchi – Maestri Del Virtuosismo Strumentale(2×LP, Stereo) | 1976 | Pull |
| 43 |  |
Heifetz, Piatigorsky – The Heifetz-Piatigorsky Concerts | 1976 | Columbia Masterworks |
| 44 |  |
Nesa Concert Band, Møller, Halvorsen, Jenkins, Cavez, Alfvén, Gade, Walters, Palange, Mancini, Morrissey, Sibelius, Rimsky-Korsakov – The Nesa Concert Band Plays(LP, Album, Stereo) | 1967 | His Master's Voice |
| 45 |  |
Grieg, Halvorsen, Svendsen, Nielsen, Alfvén, Vienna Symphony Orchestra, Øivin Fjeldstad – Scandinavian Twilight Concert | 1958 | Philips |
| 46 |  |
Heifetz, Primrose, Feuermann, Mozart, Halvorsen - Handel – Divertimento In E-Flat, Duo No. 2 In B-Flat, Passacaglia | 1954 | RCA Victor |
| 47 |  |
Sir Edward Elgar, Johan Halvorsen, Giacomo Meyerbeer, Camille Saint-Saëns – March Rhythms(LP) | 1949 | London Records |
| 48 |  |
Elgar, Saint-Saëns, Halvorsen, Meyerbeer – March Rhythms(LP) | - | Decca |
| 49 |  |
Øivin Fjeldstad Conducts The Oslo Philharmonic Orchestra, Johan Halvorsen – Suite Ancienne / Fossegrimen Suite(LP, Mono) | - | Mercury |
| 50 |  |
Duo Concertante (5), Charles de Bériot, Carl Stamitz, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Georg Friedrich Haendel, Johan Halvorsen – Plays Bériot-Stamitz-Mozart-Haendel(CD, Album) | - | Radio Classique Bergem |
| 51 |  |
Handel Arranged By Johan Halvorsen Played By Jascha Heifetz And William Primrose – Passacaglia (From Handel's Harpsichord Suite, No. 7 In G Minor)(Shellac, 12", 78 RPM) | - | Victor Red Seal |
| 52 |  |
Halvorsen, Alfred Maurstad, Oslo Philharmonic Orchestra, Øivin Fjeldstad – Suite Ancienne • Fossgrimen Suite(9×File, MP3, Mono, Album) | - | Naxos Classical Archives |
| 53 |  |
Johan Halvorsen, Terje Tønnesen, Oslo Philharmonic Orchestra Conducted By Karsten Andersen – Symphony No 2 «Fate» In D Minor • Scenes From Norwegian Tales • Air Norvegien • Norwegian Dance No. 1, 2 And 3 • Veslemøy's Song(CD, Compilation) | - | Norsk Kulturråds Klassikerserie |
Leave a Reply