Ludvig Irgens-Jensen: Heimferd – Trondheim Symphony Orchestra

Norway´s national oratorio

Ludvig Irgens-Jensen, one of Norway´s most distinguished composers, was unique in that he was both a preserver of tradition and a blazer of new trails, as well as an outstanding pianist. He has been characterised as the humanist in Norwegian music, both because of his classical posture and by virtue of the ethical vision that permeates his life and work. His most important work is “Heimferd” (“Coming Home”), here performed by Trondheim Symphony Orchestra, under conductor Ole Kristian Ruud, The Trondheim Symphony Orchestra Choir, members of The Nidaros Cathedral Choir and members of the Boys´ Choir of the Nidaros Cathedral.

In 1930, in a competition held in connection with the 900th anniversary of the death of King Olav and of the final victory of Christianity in Norway, Irgens-Jensen won first prize with “Heimferd”, a “dramatic symphony” for soli, chorus and orchestra. It is a national monument that is often referred to as “the Olav oratorio”. Here the historical drama about Olav Haraldson´s struggle to conquer Norway politically and religiously is interwoven with an abbreviated mass. The work had its premiere performance in Oslo in 1930, ending up being enormously successful with people flocking to hear it. The work has since been performed many times and can be said to have become a national oratorio.