Kjell Habbestad


Kjell Habbestad is a Norwegian contemporary composer.

Career

Habbestad studied church music at the Norwegian Academy of Music from 1976 to 1979 and graduated with a diploma from the composition course at the same institution in 1981, having studied with Olav Anton Thommessen, Finn Mortensen and Lasse Thoresen. Habbestad was active as an organist from 1974 to 1987 and, from 2013, is a professor at the Norwegian Academy of Music.
Habbestad’s list of works comprises more than 60 works, including orchestra and chamber works, church music, cantatas, works for organ and piano as well as a number of choir works. His work Mostraspelet – a historic play depicting the Christianization of Norway – has seen annual performances in Bømlo since 1983. As a composer, Habbestad debuted with a first prize for his choir work Magnificat in TONO’s 1978 composition competition.
Habbestad’s most central works to date includes the oratory Ei natt på jorda and the operas Hans Egedes natt as well as The Maid of Norway, both featuring librettos by Paal-Helge Haugen. Other key works include the string quartet Quattro Stazioni, the major piano work Hammerklavie'r, Munchsuite – concerto for flute and strings, Ave Maria – concerto for organ and strings, Etwas neues unter der Sonnen – concerto for Hardanger Fiddle and symphonic band, Un rêve Norvégien – concerto for saxophone and symphonic band, the organ work Introduction & Passacaglia – based on two themes by Fartein Valen and 14 Ibsensanger for baritone and piano.
Additional key elements of Habbestad’s compositional output comprise vocal music, choir works, cantatas and chamber music. Examples of this focus include oratories and liturgical dramas such as Ubal, Jabal, Kar og kjerring, Noahs draum, and Angeli, 18 englebilder. Major choir works in Habbestad’s list of works includes 3 Cantica , Nox Praecessit, Stabat Mater dolorosa for male vocal quartet and men’s choir, Ego Clamavi, Apal, Kverni and Sju vindar.
Habbestad served as a member of the board for the Norwegian Society of Composers from 1987 to 1996, as deputy director for the organization from 1990 to 1996 and as leader of NSC’s advisory committee from 1996 to 2002.

Production

Selected works