Oliver Knussen facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Oliver Knussen
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Oliver Knussen, 2008
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| Background information | |
| Born | 12 June 1952 Glasgow, Scotland |
| Died | 8 July 2018 (aged 66) Snape, Suffolk, England |
| Genres | Classical, chamber, orchestral |
| Occupation(s) | Composer, conductor |
Oliver Knussen (born June 12, 1952 – died July 8, 2018) was a famous British composer and conductor. He started composing music when he was very young and became known for his unique style. He also conducted many orchestras around the world.
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Early Life and Musical Start
Oliver Knussen was born in Glasgow, Scotland. His father, Stuart Knussen, was a professional double bass player for the London Symphony Orchestra. This meant Oliver grew up surrounded by music.
Oliver began learning how to compose music when he was just 11 years old. He studied with a teacher named John Lambert. He also got help and encouragement from another famous composer, Benjamin Britten. Oliver spent several summers studying music in the United States, at places like Tanglewood in Massachusetts.
A Young Conductor and Composer
Oliver Knussen started composing music when he was only about six years old! An ITV television show about his father's orchestra even led to him getting a commission for his first symphony.
When he was just 15, Oliver got a huge chance. He stepped in to conduct his own symphony's first performance in London. The original conductor, István Kertész, was sick. A week later, another famous conductor, Daniel Barenboim, asked Oliver to conduct parts of his work in New York.
Oliver quickly learned from other modern composers like Britten and Berg. He showed a special talent for how he paced his music and how he used different instruments.
Famous Works and Children's Operas
One of Oliver Knussen's most important works was his Second Symphony, written when he was still very young. Many people felt that his unique musical style truly appeared in this piece.
In the 1980s, he created two special operas for children. These were Where the Wild Things Are and Higglety Pigglety Pop!. Both were based on popular children's books by Maurice Sendak. These operas were performed in many places, including New York City.
From 1986 to 1993, Knussen was in charge of modern music activities at Tanglewood. He also wrote a well-liked orchestral piece in 1994 called his Horn Concerto. This piece mixed older musical sounds with new ways of using time and melody.
Awards and Leadership Roles
Oliver Knussen was recognized for his contributions to music. In 1994, he received the CBE award. This is a high honor in the United Kingdom.
He held many important roles in the music world:
- He was a main guest conductor for the Het Residentie Orkest in The Hague from 1992 to 1996.
- He helped direct the Aldeburgh Festival from 1983 to 1998.
- He was the music director for the London Sinfonietta from 1998 to 2002. Later, he became their conductor laureate, which is a special honorary title.
- In 2005, he was the music director for the Ojai Music Festival.
Oliver also wrote a piece called Songs for Sue to honor his late wife. It was performed for the first time in Chicago in 2006. He continued to work with groups like the Birmingham Contemporary Music Group and the BBC Symphony Orchestra.
Personal Life and Legacy
Oliver Knussen was married to Sue Knussen. She was a producer and director of music shows for BBC television. She even won an award for a series about 20th-century music. Oliver and Sue had a daughter named Sonya, who is a singer. Sue Knussen sadly passed away in 2003. A fund was created in her memory, called the Sue Knussen Composers Fund. It helps new composers create music.
Oliver Knussen lived in Snape, Suffolk, which was also a home for Benjamin Britten. The Snape Maltings concert hall there is where the Aldeburgh Festival takes place.
Oliver Knussen passed away on July 8, 2018, at the age of 66. He left behind a wonderful collection of music and a legacy as a talented composer and conductor.
Selected Compositions
Oliver Knussen wrote many different types of music. Here are some of his notable works:
- Symphony No. 1, Op. 1 (1967–68)
- Symphony No. 2, Op. 7 (1970–71)
- Hums and Songs of Winnie-the-Pooh, Op. 6 (1970/83)
- Where the Wild Things Are, Op. 20 (1979–83), an opera for children
- Higglety Pigglety Pop!, Op. 21 (1984–85), another children's opera
- Horn Concerto, Op. 28 (1994)
- Violin Concerto, Op. 30 (2002)
- Requiem: Songs for Sue, Op. 33 (2005–6), written for his late wife
Images for kids
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Oliver Knussen, 2008
See also
In Spanish: Oliver Knussen para niños
