Arne Nordheim

Norwegian contemporary classical composer

Arne Nordheim (born in Larvik, Norway, 20 June 1931 - died 5th June 2010) was a Norwegian composer. He started out as an organ and theory student at the Oslo Conservatory (1948–52), but later turned to composition, studying with Karl Andersen, Bjarne Brustad, Conrad Baden and Holmboe. He also studied musique concrète in Paris (1955) and electronic music in Bilthoven (1959). Nordheim was one of Norway’s first composers to turn towards postwar modernism, and he is among the most internationally recognized. He has played a key role in Norwegian musical life as a member of a number of organizing committees and councils. Nordheim gradually established a position as Norway’s national composer since 1982 living in Grotten, the honorary residence of the Norwegian state. This role has led to celebratory works, such as music for the opening of the 1994 Winter Olympic Games in Lillehammer. For the same event he composed Draumkvedet, based on a medieval Norwegian epic poem, while to mark the millennium of the city of Trondheim in 1997.