Marcus Paus facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Marcus Paus
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| Born |
Marcus Nicolay Paus
14 October 1979 Oslo, Norway
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| Occupation | Composer |
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Notable work
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The War Cross • Children of Ginko • Slava Ukraini! (song) |
| Spouse(s) | Tirill Mohn |
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Marcus Nicolay Paus (born 14 October 1979) is a Norwegian composer who is one of the most famous modern composers from Scandinavia. He is known for writing music that connects with old traditions, focusing on beautiful melodies and clear sounds (tonality).
His music is praised by critics both in Norway and around the world. He has written many types of music, including for small groups (chamber music), choirs, solo instruments, and full orchestras. He has also composed operas, symphonies, and music for church services, movies, and TV shows. Paus is often called "one of the most celebrated classical composers of Norway."
Paus sees himself as a storyteller through music. His style mixes traditional and modern ideas. He is inspired by many things, including folk music and music from outside of Europe. He calls himself a "melodist" and believes in using all kinds of musical styles. In 2022, the Norwegian Armed Forces asked him to write a major piece of music to represent them.
Contents
Family and Early Life
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Marcus Paus was born in Oslo, Norway. His parents are also famous musicians. His father is the singer-songwriter Ole Paus, and his mother is the pop star Anne-Karine Strøm.
His family has a long and interesting history in Norway. His grandfather, General Ole Paus, was a key figure in Norway's military intelligence during World War II. Later, he became a high-ranking officer in NATO. The Paus family was also related to the famous playwright Henrik Ibsen.
In 2019, Marcus Paus married Tirill Mohn, who is also a composer and singer.
Career
From Rock Guitar to Classical Composer
As a teenager, Paus was a talented progressive rock guitarist. He was even listed in The Guinness Book of Records in the mid-1990s as the world's fastest guitarist. However, around 1997, he decided to leave the rock scene to focus on classical music.
He studied at the Norwegian Academy of Music from 1998 to 2002. At just 18, he was one of the youngest students ever accepted into the composer program. After graduating, he moved to New York City to study at the Manhattan School of Music from 2003 to 2005.
His big break as a composer came in 2008 with his piece Missa Concertante. In the same year, he wrote his first opera, The Witches, which was based on the famous book by Roald Dahl.
Becoming a Leading Composer
Paus has become a very important figure in modern classical music. He has served on the music committee for the Norwegian Society of Composers since 2019. He also co-hosts a podcast about music with his brother-in-law, Kim Morten Mohn.
Musical Style
Marcus Paus is known for creating music that is rich in melody and harmony. While his music often sounds traditional, he uses a wide variety of modern techniques. His style is often described as a mix of old and new.
He is inspired by many different kinds of music. These include Norwegian folk music, Chinese music, and even the music of film composers like John Williams. His background as a rock guitarist can also be heard in some of his high-energy pieces.
Paus has called himself an "anarcho-traditionalist." This means he respects musical traditions but isn't afraid to break the rules to create something new and exciting. Critics have described his music as "lyrical modernist" or "postmodern." He believes that melody is the most important part of music because it communicates feelings and tells a story.
Important Works and Projects
Paus has worked with many talented musicians and artists. He often writes music for poems and texts by famous writers like William Shakespeare, Oscar Wilde, and Anne Frank.
Music for Stories and History
- The Stolen Child (2009): A piece for choir based on a poem by W. B. Yeats. It was part of an album nominated for a Grammy Award.
- The Beauty That Still Remains (2015): This work uses text from The Diary of a Young Girl by Anne Frank. It was created for Norway's official ceremony marking the end of World War II.
- Mortal (2020): Paus wrote the score for this fantasy film. His music for the movie received international praise and award nominations.
- Slava Ukraini! (2022): During the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine, Paus composed this song as a symbol of resistance and hope.
Operas for Children
Paus has written several operas for young audiences. These include:
- The Witches (2008): Based on the book by Roald Dahl.
- The Ash-Lad – Pål's Story (2011): Based on a classic Norwegian fairy tale character.
- Children of Ginko (2020): An opera that premiered in Shanghai, China.
Music for the Armed Forces
In 2022, the Norwegian Armed Forces asked Paus to write a large piece of music called The War Cross. The work tells the stories of soldiers who have received Norway's highest military honor. It is one of the biggest music projects ever commissioned by the Norwegian military.
Selected Works
- Orchestral Works
- The War Cross (2023)
- Tuba Mirum (2021)
- Concerto for Timpani and Orchestra (2015)
- Hate Songs for Mezzo-soprano & Orchestra (2013–14)
- Choral Works
- The Beauty That Still Remains (2015)
- The Stolen Child (2009)
- Missa Concertante (2008)
- O magnum mysterium (2007)
- Operas
- Children of Ginko (2018)
- The Ash-Lad – Pål's Story (2011)
- The Witches (2008)
- Film Scores
- Mortal (2020)
- Upperdog (2009)
Awards
- Wessel Prize, 2012
- Composer of the Year Prize of the Norwegian Music Publishers, 2017
- Nominated for the Amanda Award for Best Music, 2020
- Nominated for Breakthrough Composer of the Year, Movie Music UK Awards, 2020
- Government Grant for Artists, 2021
See also
In Spanish: Marcus Paus para niños
