 |
Knud JeppesenDanish composer and musicologist
Date of Birth: 15.08.1892
Country:  Denmark |
Content:
- Knud Jeppesen
- Musicological Career
- Professor and Institute Director
- Composition
- Later Years
- Awards and Recognition
Knud Jeppesen
Early Life and EducationKnud Jeppesen was born in Copenhagen, Denmark, and showed a passion for music at an early age. He entered the Copenhagen Conservatory in 1909, where he studied organ and graduated in 1916. Concurrent with his musical studies, Jeppesen enrolled at the University of Copenhagen in 1912 and earned a degree in musicology in 1917. His doctoral advisor was Angul Hammerich, a renowned Danish music historian.
Musicological Career
Jeppesen's doctoral dissertation, "Palestrinastil med s?rligt henblik paa Dissonansbehandlingen" (1923), established him as a leading scholar in the field of polyphonic music of the 16th century. Translated into German and English, the dissertation became a seminal work. Jeppesen's subsequent monograph, "Kontrapunkt (Vokalpolyfoni)" (1930), further solidified his reputation as a musicologist.
In 1927, Jeppesen was instrumental in the founding of the International Musicological Society. He served as editor of the society's journal, "Acta Musicologica," from 1931 to 1954 and was president of the society from 1949 to 1952.
Professor and Institute Director
In 1947, Jeppesen became a professor at the University of Aarhus. In 1950, he founded the Institute of Musicology at the university, which he directed until 1957. Under his leadership, the institute became a center for music research and scholarship.
Composition
Although primarily known as a musicologist, Jeppesen was also a talented composer. His compositions include a wide range of works, including choral pieces, operas, and instrumental music. Notable works include the "Reformationskantate" (1936), the oratorio "Danish Te Deum" (1942), the "Dronning Dagmar Messe" (1945), and the opera "Rosaura" (1950).
Later Years
In 1957, Jeppesen retired from the University of Aarhus and moved to Italy, where he continued to compose and engage in musical activities. He passed away in 1974, leaving behind a legacy of influential scholarship and enduring musical compositions.
Awards and Recognition
Jeppesen was a member of the Royal Danish Academy of Sciences and received several awards for his contributions to music, including the Gold Medal of the Royal Academy of Music in London and the Danish Music Council's Prize of Honor.
