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Harald Sæverud - The Man, The Music, The Myths

With compositions like "Little Variations", "Rondo Amoroso" and the incidental music to "Peer Gynt", Harald Sæverud (1897-1992) won a special place in the hearts of most Norwegians. But the works of this colourful and myth-enshrouded musician extend far beyond such popularly beloved pieces. Perhaps the time is ripe for a comprehensive Sæverud renaissance.

His life was like something out of a fairy tale, and there are more than a few similarities between Harald Sæverud and a male version of Cinderella. He was the poor boy who won his princess in the shape of Marie Hvoslef, and went on to conquer large parts of the musical kingdom. Being loved by your compatriots in your own lifetime is a rare accolade for a composer.

This is the first comprehensive biography of the country boy who loved stone, and who used the natural beauty that surrounded his house, Siljustøl, as an inspirational musical laboratory. He was a classicist and a modernist, but distanced himself rigorously from the various trends of avant-gardism, allowing melody to be the lodestar of his music. An individualist to his fingertips, he was simultaneously shy and extroverted.

This biography has been written by Lorentz Reitan, former director of the Bergen International Festival, and now the orchestra director of the Bergen Philharmonic. He has uncovered many unknown aspects of this fascinating artist. Some of the myths appear in a new light, but Harald Sæverud is no less interesting for all that. The book also gives a vivid and stimulating introduction to major aspects of Norwegian musical development during 20th century.

Publisher:  H. Aschehoug & Co(W. Nygaard)  1997
ISBN: 82-03-29078-7
399 pages, hardcover