Johan Severin Svendsen (1840 – 1911)
Johan Svendsen was born in 1840 in Kristiania (Oslo), and following his early musical experiences in a wind ensemble, Johan Svendsen’s journey as a composer was ignited by a performance of Beethoven’s 5th Symphony. For that, he had to go to Leipzig, because that’s where the big boys were. In 1862, he secretly set out on a journey, but unfortunately only made it as far as Hamburg. The little money he earned from playing in bars drained quickly. Fortunately, he received help from the Norwegian consul in Lübeck, who recognized his talent and arranged for a scholarship for him to study at the Leipzig Conservatory. Not long after, his creativity flourished. He wanted to become a famous violinist and composer. Unfortunately, he injured his hand, shifting his focus to composing music. As a conductor, he devoted himself mainly to the music of Wagner and Berlioz. In his own scores, we hear a combination of energy and poetry with Norwegian folk music. Both Grieg and later Nielsen praised his virtuosic orchestration time and again.
Program details:
- Johan Severin Svendsen, Norwegian Rhapsody no.2, op.19
Bergen Philharmonic Orchestra conducted by Neeme Järvi
- Johan Severin Svendsen, Symfony no.1, op.4 in D major
Danish National Symphony Orchestra conducted by Thomas Dausgaard
- Johan Severin Svendsen, Carnival in Paris, op.9
Bergen Philharmonic Orchestra conducted by Neeme Järvi
