Short bio Kjell Karlsen
Full biography Kjell Karlsen
Kjell Karlsen was a composer, arranger, band leader, jazz pianist, and organist. He was born on July 29, 1931 in Sarpsborg, Norway. He began his career by starting The Syncopators Band at the age of 16. Later, he moved to Oslo and became a prominent figure in the Norwegian jazz scene. He composed music for several films, including Operasjon V for vanvidd (1970) and Marenco (1964). He was also known for his orchestral compositions , including his Orgelsymfoni No 4: Sinfonia Norvegica, Op 157 (2008).
Karlsen also collaborated with other musicians and composers, such as Terje Winge, Kjell Flem, and Trygve Madsen. He was an inspiration to other Norwegian artists such as Alf Kjellman and Even Kruse Skatrud, who wrote arrangements for his big band. Karlsen passed away on May 5, 2020. His legacy remains significant in the Norwegian music industry, and his contributions greatly influenced the jazz and orchestral scene in Norway.
Compositions featuring Kjell Karlsen
| # | Name | Duration | Genre | Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Partita brevis 6, for recorder & organ | 12:16 min | Chamber Music | 2015 |
| 2 | Orgelsymfoni No. 5 ("Sinfonia Grande"), Op. 171 | 38:53 min | Keyboard | 2013 |
| 3 | Organsymphony No. 4 ("Sinfonia Norvegica"), Op. 157 | 28:10 min | Keyboard | 2008 |
| 4 | My Soul Thirsts for God, for alto, cello & organ, Op. 114.3 | 22:20 min | Vocal Music | 2007 |
| 5 | Organ Sonata ("De profundis"), Op. 143 | 21:13 min | Keyboard | 2003 |
| 6 | If I speak, for chorus | 6:50 min | Choral | 1999 |
| 7 | String Quartet No. 3, Op. 121 | 10:26 min | Chamber Music | 1998 |
| 8 | Organsymphony No. 3 ("Sinfonia antiqua"), Op. 116 | 12:46 min | Keyboard | 1996 |
| 9 | Sonata dolorosa, for cello & piano, Op. 108 | 16:27 min | Chamber Music | 1994 |
| 10 | Organsymphony No. 1, Op. 99 | 16:55 min | Keyboard | 1991 |
| 11 | String Quartet No. 1, Op. 66 | 17:01 min | Chamber Music | 1985 |
| 12 | Pieces (6) for organ, No. 6, Vision, Op. 81/6 | 9:29 min | Keyboard | 198? |
| 13 | Hommage a Widor, for organ, Op. 81/3 | 8:37 min | Keyboard | 198? |
| 14 | Chorale Sonata No. 3 for trumpet & organ ("Nun freut euch, liebe Christen g'mein") | 10:35 min | Chamber Music | 1972 |
| 15 | Chorale Sonata No. 1 for treble recorder & organ ("Jesus Christus, Unser Heiland") | 9:10 min | Chamber Music | 1969 |
| 16 | Missa Brevis, for alto, flute & harpsichord, Op. 10.1 | 8:01 min | Vocal Music | 1969 |
| 17 | De hyrder stirrer i natten ut | 4:51 min | Choral | - |
| 18 | Symphony No. 3, Op. 78 ("Is-slottet" (Ice Palace)) | 19:23 min | Symphony | - |
| 19 | Christus-Meditationen (Meditations on Christ), for organ, Op. 120 | 23:24 min | Keyboard | - |
| 20 | St. Luke's Passion | 82:15 min | Choral | - |
| 21 | St. John's Passion | 76:28 min | Choral | - |
| 22 | Sonata nova, for viola & piano, Op. 101 | 15:47 min | Chamber Music | - |
| 23 | Sonata for violin & piano (Sonata Mesto), Op. 96 | 12:55 min | Chamber Music | - |
| 24 | Daughter of Jephthah, sonata for cello, Op. 152b | 16:34 min | Chamber Music | - |
| 25 | Serenata, for bassoon & strings, Op. 118 | 17:35 min | Chamber Music | - |
| 26 | Qui Degis in Præsidio Altissimi, for male chorus | 3:02 min | Choral | - |
| 27 | Offenbarungs-Meditationen (Meditations on Revelations), for organ, Op. 155 | 40:10 min | Keyboard | - |
| 28 | Partita on a folktune from Lom, for flute & organ, Op. 7/3 | 8:06 min | Chamber Music | - |
| 29 | Fantasia Religiosa, for solo violin | 12:43 min | Chamber Music | - |
| 30 | Hymn for St. Olaf, for violin, oboe & organ, Op. 176 | 9:14 min | Chamber Music | - |
| 31 | Missa da Tromba, for trumpet & organ | 21:26 min | Chamber Music | - |
| 32 | Organsymphony No. 2 ("Sinfonia Arctandriae"), Op. 105 | 25:44 min | Keyboard | - |
| 33 | Musica Decima, for orchestra, Op. 85 | 8:49 min | Orchestral | - |
| 34 | O Magnum Mysterium, for chorus | 5:52 min | Choral | - |
| 35 | Og natta ror sin lette båt, for voice & organ | 3:02 min | Vocal Music | - |
Albums featuring Kjell Karlsen
| # | Сover | Name album | Year | Music label |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  |
Edvard Grieg In Jazz Mood(CD, Album) | 2008 | Universal Music Group |
| 2 |  |
Big Band Bonanza(CD, Album) | 2001 | Tylden & Co |
| 3 |  |
Do You Mind?(LP) | 1984 | NOPA |
| 4 |  |
Come Dance With Us(LP, Album, Stereo) | 1978 | Polydor |
| 5 |  |
Kjell Karlsens Storband M/ Sangkvartetten The Vikings (3) – Long John Silver / Big "P"(7", Single) | 1963 | Viking Music (2) |
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