Magnar Åm: List of works (English version) Back to web site
For printed works the publisher's address is given. Otherwise please find sheet music and
sound files at
Music Inf. Centre Norway , and order CDs at order@musikforlaget.no

Solo
Duo

Trio

Quartet
Quintet
Sextet

Septet

Octet

Orchestra
Solo and Orchestra

Choir and Orchestra
Choir and chamber
Choir and Organ
Choir a cappella
Brass Band
Symphonic Band

Multimedia
Music Drama
Electro-acoustic
Installations

Downloadable sound files

Discography (w. short sound
samples)
Order CDs from:
order@musikforlaget.no
Fax +47 2300 2011
Norsk Musikforlag As
Boks 1499 Vika
0116 Oslo
Norway

 

  

Solo

Accordeon:

on the banks of the eternal second (1995) 10'

Guitar:

like a leaf on the river (1983) 10'

Harp:

shephard song (Chinese traditional, arr.) (1997) 5'
- pizzicato edizioni musicali, Via M. Ortigara, 10, 33100 Udine, Italia

love song over the meadow (Chinese traditional, arr.) (1997) 5'
- pizzicato edizioni musicali, Via M. Ortigara, 10, 33100 Udine, Italia

this our virgin now (+ El-Harp) (2004) 21'
- Text: Magnar Åm

 

Double Bass:

hovering depths (1986) 10'

Organ:

Day declines and fades away
-Study on a Norwegian hymn (from Luster) (1976) 10'
- Norsk Musikkforlag, Boks 1499 Vika, 0116 Oslo

Die Jahrhunderte zusammengefugt (2002) 15’

unio mystica (1998) 28'
-behind an individ's loneliness 10'25"
-behind the storms 8'
-Christ shining through 9'10"

 

5 paradoxes (1999) 13'"
- 3 = more than 3 4'
- billions = 1 1'50"
- standstill = movement 2'
- from below = from above 2'30"
- end = start 3'

 

Piano:

still (1985) 6'30"
- Optionally recited text: Liv Holtskog
- pizzicato edizioni musicali, Via M. Ortigara, 10, 33100 Udine, Italia

 farwell, borders (1980) 4'30"

sounds in secret - 7 small poems for piano (1970) 7'30"

Song:

fuglane (the birds) (e-c3) (1971) 6'
Text: Tor Jonsson

Violin:

aching hard, aching soft (2000) 15'

 

Duo

Accordeon:

on the banks of the eternal second (1995) 10'

Baroque Violin and Hammar Klavier:

lightly playing (1994) 10'

Violin and Cello:

pas de deux (1984) 6'

Flute and Harp:

still (1985) 6'30"
- Optionally recited text: Liv Holtskog
- pizzicato edizioni musicali, Via M. Ortigara, 10, 33100 Udine, Italia

Double Bass and Tape:

air…
- of breath have you come, to breath shall you be - (1987) 9'40"

Song (Soprano and Barytone):

fuglane (the birds) (A-d3) (1971) 6'
-Text: Tor Jonsson

Song and Organ:

liturgy of surrender (2002) 25'
- Text: Magnar Åm

Song and Piano:

to unfold (1994) 8'
- Text: Magnar Åm

fykande frø (flying seeds) (1972) 4'
-Text: Olav Åm
- Norsk Musikkforlag, Boks 1499 Vika, 0116 Oslo

vesle Magni (little Magni) (1971) 4'
-Text: Sven Moren
- Norsk Musikkforlag, Boks 1499 Vika, 0116 Oslo

Singing Dancers (she and he):

open question (1986) 8'10"

Violin and guitar :

bear in mind  what we came from, that we any moment can break up again and be that (2005) 16'

Trumpet and Horn + Mountain Echoes and Optionally Recited Text :

glimpses of an embrace (1994) 15'
- Text: Magnar Åm

 

 Trio

Accordeon:

on the banks of the eternal second (1995) 10'

Violin, Cello and Piano:

Freetonal Conversations (1986) 25'
- about being different
- and still born of the same unpalpable matter
- : love

from splintered glass and shattered stone (1997) 19'30"

among mirrors (1995) 15'
- ellen
- sølve
- vebjørn

Violin, Horn and Piano + Recitor:

omen (1983/89) 6'30"
- Text: Liv Holtskog

conqilia (1984) 10'30"
- Text: Liv Holtskog

Flute, Guitar and Cello:

Sonata (1976) 14'

Flute, Clarinet and Horn / Clarinet, Cornet and Euphonium:

Intermezzo (1976) 4'

Hardanger Fiddle, Cello and Piano:

but in the middle of the whirl (1998) 10'

Harp, Guitar and Cembalo:

Dance (1977) 17'

 

Quartet

Accordeon:

on the banks of the eternal second (1995) 10'

Flute, Horn, Violin, Cello and Piano + Optional Amateur Orchestra:

the light in your chest (1994) 11'10"

String Quartet:

Four Norwegian Tunes (1975) 7'

Two Movements for String Quartet (1970)

the silver thread (1995) 21'30"

here, in the resurrection (2001) 26'40" or up to several hours or days

Trumpets:

just a little reminder (1984) 4'

the sum (1990) 4'

 

Quintet

Viola, 2 Celli, Percussion and Piano:

sing, pain (1979) 9'

2 Trumpets, 2 Trombones and Euphonium/Tuba:

Study on the Norwegian Hymn "Jeg ser Dig, O Guds lam"

Female Folk Singer (S), Flutes (Grande, Piccolo, Norwegian Flute), Violin, 20-stringed Norwegian Harp (played by violinist), Cello, Piano (prepared) and Percussion (played in turn by all):

the talking harp
(2001) 34'
Text after Andres Lavik, Vaksdal, Norway

 

Sextet

Song (Soprano), Flute, Clarinet, Gitar, Violin and Double Bass:

grain of sand seeks oyster (1987) 5'36"

Song, Guitar, 2 Violins, Viola and Cello:

Alf Hambe-ballads (1983)

 

Septet

Song (Alto or Barytone), 2 Violins, 2 Violas and 2 Celli:

wandering heaven (1998) 14'
- Text: Magnar Åm

Song (Soprano), Flute, Clarinet, Violin, Cello, Percussion and Piano:

the feather that became a thousand tones (1987) 10'

come forward (1987) 10'

 

Octet

Clarinet, Bassoun, Horn, 2 Violins, Viola, Cello and Double Bass:

Octet - in nude (1977) 10'

 

Orchestra

be quiet, my heart (1995) 23'50"

if we lift as one (1988) 7'

my planet, my soul (a symphony) (1982) 26'30"
- everything screams
- general "I"
- there is one thing, however, yet unnamed (+ Soprano Solo)
- Text: Magnar Åm
- Norsk Musikkforlag, Boks 1499 Vika, 0116 Oslo

 and let the boat slip quietly out (1989) 9'30"
(+ introductory recitation)
- Text: Magnar Åm

mirror it (1988) 10'

right through all this (1985) 20'30"

Study on a Norwegian Hymn (1977) 10'
- String Orchestra
- Norsk Musikkforlag, Boks 1499 Vika, 0116 Oslo

the wondering and the wonder (1996) 19'
(+ tape)

timeless energy (1991) 7'30"

tisn’t the snow falling, it’s us leaving the ground (2006) 16'
- Received the composition prize 2006 at young euro classics festival in Berlin (www.yecl.de)

 

Solo Alto and String Sextet (222)/String Orchestra

wandering heaven (1998) 14'
- Text: Magnar Åm

Solo Harp and Orchestra (Strings)

gratia (1994) 10'

Solo Harp (+ El-Harp), Choir (SA) and recitor

this our virgin now (2004) 21’
- Text: Magnar Åm

Solo Harp (+ El-Harp), String Sextet (222) and recitor (optional)

be the purpose (1999/2005) 31'43"
- Text: Magnar Åm

 Solo Konghou (Chinese Harp), String Sextet (222) and recitor (optional)

be the purpose (1999/2005) 31'43"
- Text: Magnar Åm

Solo Bassoon and Orchestra

lonely/embraced (2003) 28'

Solo Double Bass and Orchestra

ajar (1981) 17'

Solo Violin and Orchestra

stalagmite time (2004) 25' 

Solo Youth Soprano and Orchestra

my planet, my soul (a symphony) (1982) 26'30"
(Soprano solo in 3. movement)
- Text: Magnar Åm
- Norsk Musikkforlag, Boks 1499 Vika, 0116 Oslo

 

Choir and Orchestra

prayer (1972) 8'
- (SATB + Soprano solo)
- Text: Magnar Åm

and life (an oratorio) (1990) 60'
- (SATB + SA + Tenor solo)
- Text: The Bible and Carl Fr. Engelstad 

point zero (version A) (1978/83) 26'30"
- (SATB + SA + Soprano solo)
- Text: Magnar Åm

Choir and Chamber Ensemble

A Cage-Bird's Dream (1982) 20'
- (SATB, vln, 2 perc, pf, opt. slides)
- Text: Magnar Åm
- Norsk Musikkforlag, Boks 1499 Vika, 0116 Oslo

 you are loved (1997) 15'
- (SA, Soprano solo, hp, 2 hn)
- Text: Magnar Åm
- pizzicato edizioni musicali, Via M. Ortigara, 10, 33100 Udine, Italia

 a new-born child (1988) 15'
- (SATB, fl, perc, mar, hp)
- Text: Liv Holtskog
- pizzicato edizioni musicali, Via M. Ortigara, 10, 33100 Udine, Italia

eolian (1996) 4'35"
- (SATB, Alto solo, el-git, perc, pf, el-bs)
- Text: Magnar Åm

Is it like this among the humans too? (1992) 10'
- (SATB, Alto solo, fl, synth, pf, perc)
- Text: Magnar Åm

Study on the Norwegian Hymn "Hvor er det godt å lande" (1978) 2'10"
- (SATB, 2 cnt, hn(a), hn(t), org, audience)
- Text: Hans A. Brorson

Study on the Norwegian Hymn "Jesus, det eneste" (1978) 3'20"
- (SATB, Soprano solo, 2 tpt, 2 tbn, org, audience)
- Text: Ole T Moe. Melodi: Clara W. Sørlie

and life (an oratorio) (1990) 60'
- (SATB, SA, Tenor solo, Soprano solo, 2 recitors, altsax, 3 tpt, 3 perc, 2 vln, 2 vla, vcl, cb, org, glock)
- Text: The Bible and Carl Fr. Engelstad

point zero (version B) (1978/83) 26'30"
- (SATB, SA, Soprano solo, org, orch)
- Text: Magnar Åm

tree of tenderness (an oratorio) (1999) 95'
- (SATB, SATB-soli, 4 celli (or accordion or piano or organ), recitor, 2 optional dancers)
- Text: Poems by Gunvor Hofmo and extracts from the latin mass
- The oratorio is composed of 39 different parts, which can well be performed separately or in smaller entities.
- Cantando Musikkforlag, Stavanger, Norway

 utenkjelege Far (unthinkable Father) (1982) 8'
- (SA, Soprano solo, cl, timp, cb, org)
- Text: The Bible and Magnar Åm
- Norsk Musikkforlag, Boks 1499 Vika, 0116 Oslo

 veinje (wings) (1981) 10'
- (SATB, SA, TB, 3cl, cl(b), vcl)
- Text: Ivar Orvedal

 

Choir and organ

effata (1991) 11'
- (TB, Soprano solo, org)
- Text: The Bible and Magnar Åm

point zero (version C) (1982) 26'30"
- (SATB, SA, Soprano solo, org)
- Text: Magnar Åm

till we grow out of ourselves (1983) 13'30"
- (SATB, SA, Soprano solo, org)
- Text: Liv Holtskog

 

Choir a cappella

SA:

Det sit ein liten einsam fugl (A little bird is sitting) (1988) 3'
- Text: Sven Moren
- Norsk Musikkforlag, Boks 1499 Vika, 0116 Oslo

 issoleie (Ranunculus glacialis) (1983) 2'

Two plants for light voices (1975) 4'
- Revebjølle (Digitalis purpurea)
- Reimers Förlag, Sweden
- Hestehov (Tussilago farfara)
- Text: Johannes Lid
- Musikkhuset Forlag, Oslo, Norway

reminisence (1989) 6'40"
- Text: Magnar Åm

TB:

Gjev meg jorda (Give me earth) (arr.) (1975)
- Text: Halvor J. Sandsdalen. Melody: Ivar Medaas
- Norsk Musikkforlag, Boks 1499 Vika, 0116 Oslo

 SATB:

Ave Maria (1997) (+ Soprano Solo) 6'

a miracle and a tear (1987) 5'
- Tekst: Arnold Eidslott

street idyll (1998) 15'
- Text: Magnar Åm

Ka (on the wings of the Ka-bird) (1996) 36'
- 7 motets on poems by Liv Holtskog

·         in free space

·         rescue

·         seismic sounds

·         the red cranes

·         from an inner picture

·         rocking women

·         to my brother

quiet ruby (1992) (+ Folk Singer) 9'
- Text: Magnar Åm

 

Brass Band

can tell you a mile off (1988) 5'30"

March 2001-B ("The Oblique One") (1985) 3'16"
- Hafabra Music, Louis Martinus, Village/Dorp 84, 3790 Fourons/Voeren, Belgia

'round 'n' around for the mulberry bush (1994) 10'
- Optional introductory text: Magnar Åm

 

Symphonic Band

can tell you a mile off (1988) 5'30"

March 2001-B ("The Oblique One") (1985) 3'16"
- Hafabra Music, Louis Martinus, Village/Dorp 84, 3790 Fourons/Voeren, Belgia

naked tones (1993) 8'
(+ recitation)
- Text: Magnar Åm

Shake loose! - some jazz for janissary band (1982) 10'

you behind you (2004) 16' 

va bene (2000) 2'44"
- Warner/Chappell Music Norway A/S, P.B. 4523 Nydalen, 0404 Oslo, Norway

 

 Multimedia

A Cage-Bird's Dream (1982) 20'
- (SATB, vln, 2 perc, pf, slides)
- Text: Magnar Åm
- Norsk Musikkforlag, Boks 1499 Vika, 0116 Oslo

 

Music Drama

Agamemnon (1981) 14'30"
- (SA, Soprano solo, 2 cl)
- Text: Margarita Mohn

 Du, bli her (You, stay) (1979) 20'/8'
- (vla, vcl)
- Text: Cecilie Løveid

and life (an oratorio) (1990) 60'
- (SATB, SA, Tenor solo, Soprano solo, 2 recitors, altsax, 3 tpt, 3 perc, 2 vln, 2 vla, vcl, cb, org, glock)
- Text: The Bible and Carl Fr. Engelstad

  en stol (on a chair) (1989) 30'
- (cl, tpt, perc, pf, mime, audience)
- Text: Torun Lian

 trollsenga (troll bed) (1980) 30'
- (Narrator, altosax, fl, perc(b))
- Text: Icelandic fairytail

 

Electro-acoustic

entrance (1998) 11'

cascades (1998) 5'10"

cathedral (1998) 9'

 anew (1984) 10'

how water sings (1989) 17'

 water music (1984) 18'

 

Installations

Tonebath (1989) - experience room for one person at a time
- Visual installation: Astri Eidseth Rygh. Text: Liv Holtskog. Mattress: Jan Nystad.

voyage (1993) - experience room for one person at a time
- Visual installation: Astri Eidseth Rygh

here, in the resurrection (floating) (2003) – underwater music for a floating audience

here, in the resurrection (hovering) (2003) – sound and video for one lying person at a time
- Film: Torill Haugen, Dancer on film: Einy Åm

 

Discography

 Couldn,t Hear Nobody Pray (arr.)
- Negro spiritual, Magnar Åm (arr.). Printed by Cantando Musikkforlag, Stavanger, Norway
-
Sofienbergkoret, Margrethe Ek (cond.), p. 1996 - LYNOR 9602
Sound sample on mp3-file:
1st minute of the piece

Dagen viker og går bort (Day declines and fades away)
- Kåre Norstoga, organ. Pro Musica, p 1990 - ACD 4928
Sound sample on mp3-file:
1st minute of the piece

 Eg veit i himmerik ei borg (arr.)
- Bernt Støylen (translation from German), Norwegian trad. from Heddal, Magnar Åm (arr.)
- SKRUK (Sunnmøre Kristelege Ungdomskor), Per Oddvar Hildre (cond.)
- Kirkelig Kulturverksted/Aschehoug, p. 1992 - FXCD
Sound sample on mp3-file:
1st minut of the piece

gratia
- Willy Postma, harp. Kristiansand Chamber Orchestra, Jan Stigmer, conductor. Intim Musik, p 1999 - IMCD 065
Sound sample on mp3-file:
Middle minute of the piece 

Han tek ikkje glansen av livet (arr.)
- Trygve Bjerkreim (text), Egil Haugen (melody), Magnar Åm (arr.)
- SKRUK (Sunnmøre Kristelege Ungdomskor), Per Oddvar Hildre (cond.)
- Kirkelig Kulturverksted/Aschehoug, p. 1992 - FXCD
Sound sample on mp3-file:
1st minute of the piece

hovering depths
- Bjørn Ianke, double bass. Pro Musica A/S, p. 1988 - PSC 1039
Sound sample on mp3-file:
1st minute of the piece

 issoleie (Ranunculus glacialis)
- The Girls' Choir of the Norwegian Broadcasting Corporation, Ingunn Bjorland, conductor. Fablos, - FABL LP 7

like a leaf on the river
- Njål Vindenes, guitar. Victoria, p. 1993 - VCD 19063
Sound sample on mp3-file:
1st minute of the piece

March 2001-B ("The Oblique One")
- Stavanger Brass Band, Arvid Anthun, conductor. Doyen, p. 1996 - DOY CD 059
Sound sample on mp3-file:
1st minute of the piece

 Octet - in nude
- BIT 20, Ingar Bergby, conductor. Aurora, p. 1995 - ACD 4984
Sound sample on mp3-file:
1st minute of the piece

point zero
- Trondheim Symphony Orchestra, Trondheim Chamber Choir, Byåsen Girls' Choir, Hege Monica Espedal, soprano, Ole Kristian Ruud, conductor. Norwegian Music Productions, p. 1989 - ACD 4914
Sound samples on mp3-files:
Middle minute of first movement,
1st min. of m. II, 1st min. of m. III

 Revolusjonens røst (arr.)
- Rudolf Nilsen (text), Torill Brekke (melody), Magnar Åm (arr.)
- Grex Vocalis, Carl Høgset, conductor.
- Kirkelig Kulturverksted, p 1988 - FXCD 73
Sound sample
on mp3-file:
1st minute of the piece

samanfuga (organ works)
- Kåre Nordstoga, organ. Nordic Sound 2006 NOSCD-1965

Study on a Norwegian Hymn
- The Norwegian Chamber Orchestra, Terje Tønnesen, leader. Aurora Contemporary, p. 1988 - NCD-B 4947
Sound sample on mp3-file:
1st minute of the piece

the light in your chest
- MiN-ensemblet. Euridice turn left, p 2000 - EUCD 012
Sound sample
on mp3-file:
1st minute of the piece

 
the silver cord
- The Oslo String Quartet: Geir Inge Lotsberg and Per Kristian Skalstad, violin, Are Sandbakken, viola, Øystein Sonstad, cello. AURORA 2002, ACD 5028

va bene
- The Military Band of The Norwegian Armed Forces, Mid-Norway Region, Bjørn Sagstad, conductor.
Simax, p. 2000 - PSC 1163
Sound sample on mp3-file:
Middle minute of the piece

wandering heaven
- Åsne Valland Nordli, contralto chanter, ter Jung sextet: Lars-Erik ter Jung, violin, Frode Larsen, violin, Nora Taksdal, viola, Jon Sønstebø, viola, Øyvind Gimse, cello, Emery Cardas, cello.
Hemera, p. 2000 - NOLFH 0039010-130
Sound sample on mp3-file:
Middle minute of the piece

you are loved
- The Youth Choir Permoník (Karviná, Check Republic), Martina Juríková, soprano, Willy Postma, harp, Lenka Krahulovã and Tomás Prazák, horns, Eva Seinerovã, conductor.
Stylton, p. 2000 - RS 0548 200
Sound sample
on mp3-file:
Middle minute of the piece

 Å, Jesus, du som fyller alt i alle (arr.)
Aage Samuelsen (text and melody), Magnar Åm (arr.)
- SKRUK (Sunnmøre Kristelege Ungdomskor), Per Oddvar Hildre (cond.)
- Kirkelig Kulturverksted/Aschehoug, p. 1992 - FXCD
Sound sample on mp3-file: 1st minute of the piece

 Couldn,t Hear Nobody Pray (arr.)
- Negro spiritual, Magnar Åm (arr.). Printed by Cantando Musikkforlag, Stavanger, Norway
-
Sofienbergkoret, Margrethe Ek (cond.), p. 1996 - LYNOR 9602
Sound sample on mp3-file:
1st minute of the piece

 

 Magnar Åm. Updated 22 August 2006