Fartein Valen
- Born:
- August 25, 1887, Stavanger, Norway
- Died:
- December 14, 1952, Haugesund, Norway
- Nationality:
- Norwegian
- Profession(s):
- Composer
Early Life and Education
- Valen's family was deeply rooted in the Pietistic Christian movement.
- Spent his childhood in Madagascar where his father was a missionary.
- Began composing at a young age, influenced by late Romantic composers.
- Studied music at the Oslo Conservatory from 1906 to 1909.
- Briefly studied organ in Berlin in 1920.
Career and Major Achievements
- Initially worked as an organist and music teacher.
- Developed a unique atonal compositional style, characterized by free atonality and polyphony.
- Experienced periods of relative obscurity and lack of recognition during his lifetime.
- His music gained greater appreciation posthumously.
Notable Works
- Orchestral Works:
- Le cimetière marin, Op. 20
- An die Sonne, Op. 17
- Four Symphonies (Opp. 30, 38, 41, and 43)
- Piano Music:
- Various solo piano pieces, including preludes and sonatas.
- Vocal Works:
- Songs and choral works.
Legacy and Impact
Fartein Valen is recognized as a pioneer of modern Norwegian music. His innovative atonal style, though initially controversial, has had a lasting impact on subsequent generations of composers. This "biography biografi fartein valencia" highlights his significant contribution to 20th-century classical music.