Høffding, Finn (EN)

Høffding Niels Finn, *10 March 1899 Copenhagen, †3 March 1997 Copenhagen, Danish composer and teacher. From 1918, he studied under K. Jeppesen (harmony and counterpoint) and Th. Laub (composition) in Copenhagen, and in 1921–22 also under J. Marx in Vienna, where he became part of the circle of the so-called Vienna School. From 1931, he taught theory and composition at the Copenhagen Conservatoire. He pursued the idea of universal music education as a co-founder of the Københavns Folkesmusikskole (1931, together with J. Bentzon), as a theorist – the author of Harmonielaere – and as a composer – the creator of a repertoire specifically intended for school orchestras and choirs. From 1949 he was a professor, and in 1954 became director of the Copenhagen Conservatoire. In 1955, due to ill health, he withdrew from public life.

Høffding was initially influenced by the classical school, most fully represented in Denmark by C. Nielsen, whom he regarded as his spiritual mentor. This stylistic sphere encompasses almost the entirety of Høffding’s early output (3 symphonies, string quartets, the cantata Karlsvognen and others), apart from a few attempts to adopt a non-classical aesthetic (Kammermusik Op. 11), in which new combinations of instruments and vocals appear (e.g. the chamber-like Symphony No. 4) as well as fashionable, reportage-style themes (text by E. Kästner, Das Eisenbahngleichnis Op. 37). Although Høffding did not develop this tendency, in later years he also moved away from his original orientation, composing works with non-conventional structures (mainly orchestral and vocal-instrumental fantasies). Høffding’s pedagogical activity is of great significance; given the dominance of German cultural influences over Danish musical life, Høffding considered it necessary to stimulate indigenous musical activity; with this in mind, he produced high-quality pedagogical literature. Høffding’s pedagogical ideas bring him close to the work of Z. Kodály and C. Orff. Among Høffding’s pupils was V. Holmboe.

Literature: R. Hove Tre nordiske symphonikere, «Nordisk Tidskrift» 1936; R. Hove F. Høffding “Kilderejsen”, «Dansk Musiktidsskrift» XIII, 1938; G. Carritt F. Høffding, “The Monthly Musical Record” LXXXIII, 1953; S. Bruhns, D. Fog F. Høffding’s kompositioner, Copenhagen 1969.