Lasse Thoresen

Lasse Thoresen, born on 18 October 1949 in Oslo, Norway, is a renowned composer known for blending contemporary music with the folk traditions of Scandinavia and other cultures. He studied composition at the Norwegian Academy of Music under Finn Mortensen, graduating in 1972, and later pursued further studies in electroacoustic music in Utrecht and spectral music in Paris. Thoresen has been a professor of composition at the Norwegian Academy of Music since 1988.

His works have been commissioned by major orchestras across Scandinavia and the French National Radio, showcasing his prominence in the field. Thoresen draws inspiration from the Baháʼí faith, incorporating its texts into many of his compositions. Notably, his oratorio *Terraces of Light* (2000) was performed at the inauguration of the Baháʼí holy place on Mount Carmel.

Thoresen received widespread recognition with his 2010 Nordic Council Music Prize for *Opus 42*, a collection of four vocal works composed for the ensemble Nordic Voices. His discography includes recordings featuring collaborations with prominent musicians and ensembles, such as the Bergen Philharmonic Orchestra, Ragnhild Hemsing, and the Oslo Sinfonietta.

His compositions span various genres, including concertos, symphonic poems, and vocal works, reflecting his mastery of both traditional and contemporary musical forms.