Johannes Hanssen
Biography
Johannes Hanssen (2 December 1874 in Ullensaker – 25 November 1967 in Oslo) was one of Norway's most active and influential bandmasters, composers, and teachers during the first half of the twentieth century. As a young boy, he played in a military band in Oslo. He was bandmaster of the Oslo Military Band from 1926 to 1934 and from 1945 to 1946, his career there having been interrupted by the Second World War. He played double bass with the National Theatre, the Norwegian Radio Orchestra, and other orchestras. He taught conducting and music theory for several years and wrote music texts for a correspondence school.
During his long career, he composed many works and received many honors. Hanssen received the King's Order of Merit in Gold and King Haakon VII's Jubilee Medal. His most famous works for band include Valdres March, The Olympic Fanfare (1952), and Humoreske. Incredibly, the majority of his band compositions remain in manuscript with the Oslo Military Staff Band.
Works for Winds
Adaptable Music
- Valdres (Flex instrumentation) (arr. Curnow) (1904/1985/2015)
All Wind Works
- Bjørnedans, for Band ("Bear Dance")
- Humoreske
- Olympic Fanfare (1952)
- Valdres (arr. Schissel) (1904/2001)
- Valdres (arr. Bainum) (1904/1963)
- Valdres (arr. Curnow) (1904/1985/2016)
- Valdres (Flex instrumentation) (arr. Curnow) (1904/1985/2015)
Resources