Svendsen

Johan Severin Svendsen (30 September 1840 – 14 June 1911) 

Johan Severin Svendsen was a Norwegian composer who was born in 1840 in Christiania (now Oslo). He is known for his orchestral works and his contributions to the development of Norwegian national romantic music. Svendsen was highly regarded as a composer in his lifetime, and his music continues to be popular today.

Svendsen received his musical education at the Leipzig Conservatory, where he studied with Felix Mendelssohn and Robert Schumann. He later returned to Norway and became the conductor of the Norwegian National Opera. In addition to his work as a conductor, Svendsen composed numerous pieces for the orchestra, including his Symphony No. 1 and Symphony No. 2, which are considered two of his most famous works.

Despite his success as a composer, Svendsen faced many challenges in his career. He struggled with mental health issues and faced criticism from the Norwegian musical establishment for his unconventional compositions. However, he remained dedicated to his craft and continued to compose music until his death in 1911. Today, Svendsen is remembered as one of the most important figures in Norwegian classical music and his works are still performed regularly around the world.