Egil Hovland

Egil Hovland (born October 18, 1924) is a Norwegian composer.

Hovland was born in Råde. He studied at the Oslo conservatory with Arild Sandvold and Bjarne Brustad, in Copenhagen with Vagn Holmboe, in Tanglewood with Aaron Copland, and in Florence with Luigi Dallapiccola. He has been the organist and choir leader in Fredrikstad since 1949. He composed two symphonies, a concerto for trumpet and strings, a Music for ten instruments, a set of Variations for two pianos, a Lament for orchestra. His sacred works include a Norwegian Te Deum, a Gloria, a Magnificat, and numerous works for organ, and he is one of the most noted church composers of Norway.

He wrote in diverse styles, including Norwegian-Romantic, Gregorian, neo-classical, twelve-tone, aleatoric, and serial. In honor of his work as a composer and organist, in 1983 he was knighted into the Royal Norwegian Order of St. Olav. In 1992 he received the Fritt Ord Honorary Award. He is one of the most productive contemporary Norwegian composers.