Arne Eggen


Arne Eggen was a Norwegian composer and organist, married in 1916 to Engel Johanne Othilie Sparre Gulbranson, the brother of musicologist and composer , and brother-in-law to the opera singer Ellen Gulbranson.

Biography

Eggen studied at the Conservatory of Music in Oslo with Catharinus Elling, Peter Brynie Lindeman, and graduated as organist in 1905. He also studied at the Leipzig Conservatory with Stephan Krehl and Karl Straube. He worked as organist in Bragernes Church, Drammen Church, Bryn Church and Tanum Church, Bærum. He was chairman of the Norwegian Society of Composers, Honorary Chairman 1945 in TONO 1928–1930. Of his compositions include Oratorio King Olav, the operas Olav Liljekrans and Cymbelin, premiered in 1951, with Aase Nordmo Løvberg in the role of Imogen, the choral Mjøsen, the melodrama Liti Kersti, Cantata to Drammens 100th anniversary, music to Liti Kjersti, Symphony in G minor, 2 violin sonatas, cello sonatas, organ works and a numerous romances. Stylistically Eggen continued Grieg and Svendsen's national romantic line, and he has been particularly known for his great ability to create beautiful melodies.
He died at Bærum Hospital.

Works

The orchestral work Bjørgulv spelemann was recorded by the Oslo Philharmonic under conductor in 1951, and again by the Iceland Symphony Orchestra. The psalm-hymn "Ære det evige forår i livet" to a text by Bjørnstjerne Bjørnson, was recorded by Kirsten Flagstad with the London Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Øivin Fjeldstad.