Egil Hovland

HOVLAND, Egil. b. Råde, Norway, 18 October 1924; d. Fredrikstad, Norway, 5 February 2013. Hovland was one of the most prolific and multifaceted church music and mainstream composers of his generation. One of two sons of a butcher and sausage-maker (a profession intended for both sons), Hovland’s family relocated to Fredrikstad in 1928. Here, his father was active as choir leader for a revivalist congregation. It was in this context that Hovland was introduced to church music. Hovland studied with Søren Gangfløt and Jens Bugge Hansen at Glemmen church before World War II, and became locum tenens organist there in 1942. He later studied in Oslo with Arild Sandvold (1895-1984, organ) and Per...