Knut Nystedt

Biography

Knut Nystedt (September 3rd, 1915 - December 8th, 2014) was a Norwegian orchestral and choral composer from Oslo, Norway. Nystedt was born in Kristiania (now Oslo), Norway, and grew up in a Christian home where hymns and classical music were an important part of everyday life. His major compositions for choir and vocal soloists are mainly based on texts from the Bible or sacred themes. Old church music, especially Palestrina and Gregorian chants, have had a major influence on his compositions....

Knut Nystedt (September 3rd, 1915 - December 8th, 2014) was a Norwegian orchestral and choral composer from Oslo, Norway.

Nystedt was born in Kristiania (now Oslo), Norway, and grew up in a Christian home where hymns and classical music were an important part of everyday life. His major compositions for choir and vocal soloists are mainly based on texts from the Bible or sacred themes. Old church music, especially Palestrina and Gregorian chants, have had a major influence on his compositions.

He studied with Aaron Copland among others. Nystedt was organist in Torshov kirke (Torshov Church) in Oslo from 1946 to 1982 and taught choir conducting at the University of Oslo from 1964 to 1985. Nystedt founded and conducted Det Norske Solistkor from 1950 to 1990. He also founded and conducted Schola Cantorum from 1964 to 1985.

The choir Ensemble 96 published Immortal Nystedt in 2005. This CD was nominated in two categories in the 2007 Grammy Awards. This was the first Norwegian CD nominated in two categories. It was also the first CD with a Norwegian composer nominated for a Grammy. On the occasion of his 90th birthday in 2005, there were several concerts around the world held in his honour.

Most of his compositions are published by Norsk Musikforlag and also appear on several CDs in Norway and several other countries.

Nystedt died in his sleep at his home in Oslo on December 8, 2014 at the age of 99. Read more on Last.fm. User-contributed text is available under the Creative Commons By-SA License; additional terms may apply.