Kim André Arnesen


Kim André Arnesen is a Norwegian composer. He grew up in Trondheim, Norway and was educated at the Music Conservatory of the Norwegian University of Science and Technology. He is mostly known for his choral compositions, both a cappella, accompanied by piano or organ, or large-scale works for chorus and orchestra. His first CD album "Magnificat" was nominated for Grammy Awards 2016 in the category Best Surround Sound Album. He has received wide notice with his choral works that has been performed by choirs all over the world. His "Cradle Hymn" was a part of the regional Emmy Prize winning show "Christmas in Norway". Arnesen is an elected member of the Norwegian Society of Composers.
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Biography

Kim André Arnesen was educated at the Music Conservatory in Trondheim, Norway. He had composition lessons with composers like Henning Sommerro, Terje Bjørklund and Odd Johan Overøye. As a composer he had his first performance in 1999 with Nidaros Cathedral Boys' Choir. Since then he has written music that has been performed by several choirs. Arnesen is an elected member of the Norwegian Society of Composers. In 2010, his first large-scale work was performed in Nidaros Cathedral in Trondheim. This was a Magnificat commissioned by the Nidaros Cathedral's Girls Choir. This performance received overwhelming feedback, leading directly to several new commissions. The work was released on 2L in 2014 and the album was nominated for GRAMMY Awards 2016 in the category Best Surround Sound Album.
In 2011 his choral motet Even when He is silent had its premiere during the St. Olav Festival in Trondheim. The motet was commissioned by the festival and was performed during an event with the bishop of Nidaros, Tor Singsaas and the international acclaimed Norwegian actress, Liv Ullmann. The piece has gained wide attention and is being performed by choirs all over the world. In December 2011, his second large-scale work was premiered. This was a Christmas work commissioned by the Trondheim Chamber Choir. In 2013 his pieces Even when He is silent and Cradle Hymn were released on CD, DVD and Blu-ray on the "Christmas in Norway" with the St. Olaf Choir and Nidaros Cathedral Girls' Choir.
In April 2014 his Requiem was premiered by the Nidaros Cathedral Boy's Choir. Later in 2014 his Magnificat was released on CD/Blu-ray on the label 2L. He has produced a number of works with the Welsh-Scots poet Euan Tait, including Flight Song, You asked me to speak, Love's Onward Journey, The Call of Peace, Child of Song and a new five movement Christmas work, The Christmas Alleluias.
In 2016 a large scale work called The Wound in the Water, was premiered by the GRAMMY-winning ensemble Conspirare. Three major new works have followed: Holy Spirit Mass, for the National Lutheran Choir and first performed in Washington DC in October 2017; Sing the Earth ; Tuvayhun - Beatitudes for a Wounded World. The two latter works, in which the composer has explored new instrumental sonorities, have texts by American lyricist Charles Anthony 'Tony' Silvestri.
January 2018 also saw the release of a Naxos recording of his shorter choral works.
In December 2020 and January 2021 Kim released four piano singles: Light a Candle, December Night, Snow Light, and Winter Moon on Decca Classics. Winter Moon reached No.1 on Apple Music's classical charts.
Kim is an elected member of the Norwegian Composers Society and his music is published by Boosey & Hawkes.

Selected works

Arnesen's work has been published by Santa Barbara Music Publishing and Boosey & Hawkes
  • Ubi caritas et amor for SATB chorus.
  • Tuvayhun - Beatitudes for a Wounded World Commissioned by Manhattan Girls Chorus and Artistic Director Michelle Oesterle
  • Sing the Earth fp. Southwestern University Singers and Festival Mass Choir, dir. Jonathan E.L Wall.
  • Holy Spirit Mass commissioned by the National Lutheran Choir, fp Washington DC.
  • His Light in Us. Commissioned by the St. Olaf Choir and Dr. Anton Armstrong for the 2016 St. Olaf Christmas Festival.The Wound in the Water. Work in three parts, commissioned by Olavsfestdagene Trondheim, fp. Trondheim Cathedral 2016.The Christmas Alleluias. 5 movement work, commissioned by The Valley Chamber Chorale, Stillwater, Minnesota and Artistic Director Carol Carver. Heartsongs. To be released on CD in 2014.Å jul med din glede - a Christmas Suite. Commissioned by the Nidaros Cathedral Girls´Choir. Requiem. Commissioned by the Nidaros Cathedral Boys´Choir.Star of the East. Commissioned by the Trondheim Chamber Choir.Magnificat. Commissioned by the Nidaros Cathedral Girls´Choir.Norwegian Alleluia. Commissioned by the Baylor A Cappella, Baylor University and conductor Alan Raines. O sacrum convivium. Commissioned by the Mogens Dahl Chamber Choir. Child of Song. Dedicated to the Manhattan Girls Chorus and conductor Michelle Oesterle with admiration and gratitude. World Premiere May 20, 2015 NYC.You asked me to speak. Commissioned by The Kokopelli Choirs, Canada and Artistic Director Scott Leithead. fp Feb 2015.Flight Song. Dedicated to the St. Olaf Choir and conductor Anton Armstrong. Love divine. Commissioned by Nidaros Cathedral Girls' Choir. Calma. Commissioned by Christian Aftret Eriksen.Dormi, Jesu. Commissioned by A Cappellissimo.Even when He is silent. Commissioned by the St. Olaf Festival.Cradle Hymn. Dedicated to the Nidaros Cathedral Girls´Choir and conductor Anita Brevik.Julenatt.

Discography

TUVAYHUN — Beatitudes for a Wounded World Nidaros Cathedral Girls´Choir and the Trondheimsoloists. Magnificat Nidaros Cathedral Girls´Choir and the Trondheimsoloists. Even when He is silent St. Olaf ChoirCradle Hymn Nidaros Cathedral Girls´Choir
  • Infinity A selection of shorter choral works. Kantorei, dir. Joel Rinsema.
  • Even when He is silent, Voces 8.