Frederiksen, Sigurd, 1881-1965

Sigurd Erhard Frederiksen, 1881-1965, Danish-American composer and violoncellist, after short periods with the Detroit and Cincinnati Symphony Orchestras, spent most of his career in Los Angeles, Calif.

From the description of Sigurd Frederiksen collection, 1926-1957. (University of California, Berkeley). WorldCat record id: 38133432

Inspired by Danish church paintings of the 14th century. Variations on a four-note theme. Originally titled The Frescoes of the Five Ages. First performance Los Angeles, 18 March 1934, Philharmonic Orchestra of Los Angeles, Otto Klemperer conductor.--Cf. Fleisher Collection.

From the description of Five frescoes : variations for orchestra / by Sigurd Frederiksen. [1936] (Franklin & Marshall College). WorldCat record id: 51909391

Biographical sketch

FREDERIKSEN, SIGURD: Danish-American Composer and Violoncellist. Presently composing at his home in Los Angeles. Born 28 February 1881 in Denmark to Erhard and Sigrid (Topsv) Frederiksen. A Dane by birth, Icelander by descent, Sigurd was educated at the University of Copenhagen, Graduate 1901. He studied violoncello in Copenhagen with Ernest Hvberg and with Franz Neruda, and composition with Professor Matthison-Hansen. Having been solo violoncellist with the Royal Carl Rosa Opera Company for four years, Mr. Frederiksen came to America in 1912, and subsequently was a violoncellist with the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra for six years, the Detroit Symphony for two years, and the Los Angeles Philharmonic for thirteen years.

Among Mr. Frederiksen's unpublished compositions which have been performed, principally at the Hollywood Bowl and by the Los Angeles Philharmonic, are Saga of Leif Ericcson, Norroena Suite, East of the Sun and West of the Moon Suite, Five Frescoes, Legend for Bassoon, Rhapsody for Oboe, and concertos for piano, for flute, and for violoncello. He has four piano pieces published by John Church, two orchestral works by Kalmus, and his Minstrel Song by Schirmer.

On 2 December 1918 he married Antoinette Page, an accomplished violoncellist and gambist who plays cello with the Glendale Symphony Orchestra and viola da gamba with the Pardo Players of Ancient Instruments. Sigurd Frederiksen has blue eyes, sandy-red hair, weighs 150, and is 5'9" in height. Lutheran, and politically non-partisan, he is a member of the A.F.M. (local 47). Mr. Frederiksen's recreations include reading and gardening. Residence: 3348 Scarboro Street (CA-4328), Los Angeles 65, California.

(from The International Who is Who in Music, Fifth edition, 1951)

From the guide to the Sigurd Frederiksen Collection, 1926-1957, (The Music Library)