New music embraces diversity of cultures [BWNS]

OSLO, Norway, 7 July (BWNS) – Since his breakthrough as a composer more than 30 years ago, Lasse Thoresen has been searching for a musical language that brings the world's diverse cultures together.

Now, one of his innovative vocal works is being acclaimed for the similarities it draws between ancient and modern, as well as Scandinavian folk music and sounds more associated with the Middle East. The piece, titled Opus 42, has won a prestigious music award.

The Nordic Council Music Prize was searching for a work "in which all involved play their own part." Facing competition from 12 other composers, Professor Thoresen was delighted to win the 350,000 Denmark Kroner (US$56,000) prize.

"This strikingly beautiful piece reveals the common denominators in ancient and ultra-modern sounds, drawing our attention to the similarities between Scandinavian folk traditions and the music we might find in, say, the Middle East or India," wrote the Adjudication Committee for the Prize, which includes members from Denmark, the Faroe Islands, Finland, Iceland, Norway, and Sweden.

"It represents a renewal not just of Nordic vocal music, but of score-based vocal music in general," the Committee said...

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