Sunleif Rasmussen

Sunleif Rasmussen (born on March 19 1961 in Sandur in the Faroe Islands) is the foremost Faroese composer of classical music.

Rasmussen studied in Norway, then returned to Tórshavn in the Faroes as music teacher and jazz pianist. From 1990 to 1995 he studied musical composition at the Royal Danish Academy of Music in Copenhagen under Ib Nørholm and electronic music under Ivar Frounberg. In 1992 he received grants from the Leonnie Sonning Foundation and the Danish Composer's Society.

He also became familiar with spectral music, which has its roots at the IRCAM in Paris, and the work of composers such as Tristan Murail. Rasmussen has produced a number of works combining electronic and acoustic instruments, some produced in co-operation with DIEM (the Danish Institute for Electro-Acoustic Music).

In 1997 he was awarded a three-year grant from the Danish State Arts Foundation.

In 2002 he won the Nordic Council Music Prize for his Symphony no. 1 - "Oceanic Days", which, in the NOMUS committee description: "derives its inspiration from Faroese nature and from age-old Faroese hymns, from which Rasmussen has created a work of comprehensive dimensions. It radiates a natural artistic integrity, combining tightness and structure with lyric feeling." "

In 2004 he was visiting composer at the prestigious Korsholm Festival in Finland.

Music

Rasmussen’s music always has a natural complexity, combining his jazz background with a rich tradition of Faroese folk music and electroacoustic and spectral music. He transforms folk music themes using spectral and serial techniques, using intervals in the original melody to generate rhythmic segments and harmonic overtone spectra to determine the melodic and timbral material; the result is an abstraction from Faroese traditional music, even though none of the original melodies can be discerned in the finished composition. He also draws much inspiration from the Faroese author and artist William Heinesen (1900-1991), using both the text and the mood of Heinesen's poetry in his music.

The result is highly evocative, beautiful, and not difficult to listen to. The power and complexity of his music often reflects nature, shimmering with energy and movement.

Works

His works include:

Orchestral works:
* 1990: "Grave - In memoriam Karsten Hoydal" for String orchestra + percussion (11 or 22 strings: 3.3.2.2.1) (09'00)
* 1995: "Vox Humana, the song of the sea - for orchestra and tape" for 3.3.3.3/4.3.3.1/timpani/2 percussion/harp/strings (22'00)
* 1995-97: "Symphony no. 1 - "Oceanic Days" for 4.4.4.4/4.4.4.1/4 percussion/2 synth/strings (min. 12.12.10.8.6) (40'00)
* 2003: "De grædendes nat" for children's choir (including 3 soloists) + 3.3.3.3/4.3.3.1/2 percussion/harp/strings (15'00)
* 2004: "Movings and Melodies" for 2.2.2.2/2.2.1.0/timpani/percussion/5.5.3.3.2 (17'00)
* 2008: "Prelude to an Orchestra"

Solo instrument and orchestra/ensemble
* 1992-93: "Landid" for soprano solo + 3.3.3.3/4.3.3.1/timpani/2 percussion/harp/piano/strings (15'00)
* 1996: "Tilegnelse" for mezzo-soprano solo + 1.0.1.1/0.1.0.0/2 percussion/harp/guitar/0.0.1.0.1 (10'00)
* 2000: "Rejsen" for soprano, tenor, bass soli, mixed choir + 3.3.3.3/2.3.3.1/timpani/percussion/piano/strings (30'00)
* 2001: "Dem Licht entgegen" for saxophone solo + 3.3.3.3/4.3.2.1/timp/2 percussion/piano/strings (18'30)
* 2004: "Songs of Seasons" for violin solo + string orchestra (10.0.4.3.2) (22'00)

Large chamber ensemble
* 1999: "Trauer und Freude" for 1.0.1.1/1.0.0.0/piano (+cemb)/guitar/1.1.1.1.0 (21'00)
* 2000: "Surrounded" for 1.1.1.1/1.1.1.0/percussion/piano/1.1.1.1.1 (13'00)

Chamber works
* 1989: "Fantasi yvir Tívilsdøtur" for clarinet and horn (04'00)
* 1989-90: "Strygekvartet nr. 1" for string quartet (10'00)
* 1990: "Vetrarmyndir" for flute, oboe, clarinet, bassoon, horn and piano (09'00)
* 1991: "Tid, ild, baglæns (Time, fire, backwards)" for twelve singers and tape (16'30)
* 1995: "Cantus Borealis" for Wind Quintet (13'00)
* 1995: "Dancing Raindrops" for clarinet, piano and violin (12'00)
* 1998: "Pictures from the sea’s garden" for saxophone and percussion (15'00)
* 1999: "Mozaik/Miniature" for flute, clarinet, piano and violin (07'00)
* 2000: "Sunshine and Shadows" for string quartet (13'00)
* 2002: "Nordisk Fanfare" for 2 horns, 2 trumpets, trombone and tuba (04'00)
* 2002: "Engführung" for chamber choir, piano and cello (20'00)
* 2003: "Four Gardens" for flute, oboe, clarinet, bassoon, piano, violin, viola and cello (15'00)

Solo instrument
* 1992: "Echoes of the Past" for violin solo (12'00)
* 1993: "A light is lit" for organ solo and tape (10'00)
* 1993: "Like the golden sun" for piano solo and effect processor (12'00)
* 1997: "Chaindance with Shadows" for amplified piano solo (12'00)
* 2001: "Le psaume salé" for saxophone solo + tape + live-electronics (10'00)
* 2007: "Suite" for guitar solo and effect processor (15'00)

Vocal works
* 1982-89, revised 1992: "5 færøske korsange (5 Faroese choir songs)" for chamber choir or large mixed choir (11'30)
* 1983, revised 1993: "Vár" for Soprano, baritone soli + chamber choir, (SATB), fl, cl (09'20)
* 1995: "Psalmus 8" for soloists, choir and organ (08'00)
* 1996: "Creatio caeli et terrae. Dies unus" for triple choir (SATB+SATB+SATB) (09'00)
* 1999: "Arktis" for mezzo-soprano solo + clarinet, percussion, harp and cello (08'00)

Recordings

Recordings of Rasmussen's music include:
* "Rasmussen - Symphony No 1; Saxophone Concerto", Danish National Symphony Orchestra, Hannu Lintu (Conductor), Jeanette Balland (saxophone) - Da Capo, May 2005
* "Sunleif Rasmussen - Surrounded: Arktis (The Arctic), Mozaik / Miniature, Tilegnelse (Dedication), Trauer und Freude", Helene Gjerris (mezzo-soprano), Caput Ensemble, Guthmundur Oli Gunnarsson, Guthni Franzson - BIS Records
* "Cantus borealis: Wind Music from Faroe Islands" includes "Rasmussen: Cantus Borealis for wind quintet", Reykjavík Wind Quintet - BIS Records
* "Landid for Soprano And Symphony Orchestra, Gerandisdagur I Havn For Soprano And String Orchestra, Grave In Memoriam Karsten Hoydal For String Orchestra, Clarinet And Percussion, Klarinettkonsert Concerto For Clarinet And Orchestra" - The Orchard, May 2000
* "Skærur Vindur" includes "Sig mær, hví er foldin føgur, Kvøldvísa um summarmála, Syngjandi grót, Sóljurnar og náttin, Blátt, Fyrsti sálmur Dávids, Vár, Skærur vindur" and "Tid, Ild, Baglæns" - The Orchard, April 2000

References

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