Halfdan Kjerulf
Encyclopedia
Halfdan Kjerulf was a Norwegian
composer
.
Kjerulf was born in Christiania
(now Oslo). He was the son of a high government official. His early education was at Christiania University, for a legal career, but his studies ended in 1839 as a result of illness, and the next year he spent some time in Paris
. Soon after his return his father and two siblings died and he took a job as editor at one of Oslo's main newspapers, Den Constitutionelle (1836-1847), where he worked until 1845.
He started his career as a music teacher and composer of songs before ever having seriously studied music at all, and not for ten years did he attract any particular notice. In 1848 he studied with Carl Arnold
, and after studying with Niels Gade in Copenhagen
, the Norwegian Government paid for a year's instruction for him at Leipzig
in 1850, where he was taught by Ernst Richter. For many years after his return to Norway, Kjerulf tried in vain to establish regular classical concerts, while he himself was working with Bjørnson
and other writers at the composition of lyrical songs. He did present some concerts, at which he introduced the Norwegian public to Beethoven
's Fifth Symphony
and other standards otherwise little known to them. He obtained some official recognition during the 1860s. He died in Grefsen
, near Christiania, in 1868, aged only 52.
His fame rests mainly on his beautiful and manly national partsongs and solos. His piano
music is equally charming. Edvard Grieg
was an enthusiatic admirer of it and he was undoubtedly influenced by it in writing his Lyric Pieces
. It was recorded in its entirety in 2001 by Einar Steen-Nøkleberg.
His piano students included Agathe Backer-Grøndahl and Erika Nissen
(then known as Erika Lie).
Norway
Norway , officially the Kingdom of Norway, is a Nordic unitary constitutional monarchy whose territory comprises the western portion of the Scandinavian Peninsula, Jan Mayen, and the Arctic archipelago of Svalbard and Bouvet Island. Norway has a total area of and a population of about 4.9 million...
composer
Composer
A composer is a person who creates music, either by musical notation or oral tradition, for interpretation and performance, or through direct manipulation of sonic material through electronic media...
.
Kjerulf was born in Christiania
Oslo
Oslo is a municipality, as well as the capital and most populous city in Norway. As a municipality , it was established on 1 January 1838. Founded around 1048 by King Harald III of Norway, the city was largely destroyed by fire in 1624. The city was moved under the reign of Denmark–Norway's King...
(now Oslo). He was the son of a high government official. His early education was at Christiania University, for a legal career, but his studies ended in 1839 as a result of illness, and the next year he spent some time in Paris
Paris
Paris is the capital and largest city in France, situated on the river Seine, in northern France, at the heart of the Île-de-France region...
. Soon after his return his father and two siblings died and he took a job as editor at one of Oslo's main newspapers, Den Constitutionelle (1836-1847), where he worked until 1845.
He started his career as a music teacher and composer of songs before ever having seriously studied music at all, and not for ten years did he attract any particular notice. In 1848 he studied with Carl Arnold
Carl Arnold
-Coaching career:Arnold was the head football coach for the Jamestown Jimmies located in Jamestown, North Dakota. He held that position for the 1947 and 1948 seasons.His coaching record at Jamestown was 1 wins, 13 losses and 1 tie.As of the conclusion of the 2009 season, this ranks him #13 at...
, and after studying with Niels Gade in Copenhagen
Copenhagen
Copenhagen is the capital and largest city of Denmark, with an urban population of 1,199,224 and a metropolitan population of 1,930,260 . With the completion of the transnational Øresund Bridge in 2000, Copenhagen has become the centre of the increasingly integrating Øresund Region...
, the Norwegian Government paid for a year's instruction for him at Leipzig
Leipzig
Leipzig Leipzig has always been a trade city, situated during the time of the Holy Roman Empire at the intersection of the Via Regia and Via Imperii, two important trade routes. At one time, Leipzig was one of the major European centres of learning and culture in fields such as music and publishing...
in 1850, where he was taught by Ernst Richter. For many years after his return to Norway, Kjerulf tried in vain to establish regular classical concerts, while he himself was working with Bjørnson
Bjørnstjerne Bjørnson
Bjørnstjerne Martinius Bjørnson was a Norwegian writer and the 1903 Nobel Prize in Literature laureate. Bjørnson is considered as one of The Four Greats Norwegian writers; the others being Henrik Ibsen, Jonas Lie, and Alexander Kielland...
and other writers at the composition of lyrical songs. He did present some concerts, at which he introduced the Norwegian public to Beethoven
Ludwig van Beethoven
Ludwig van Beethoven was a German composer and pianist. A crucial figure in the transition between the Classical and Romantic eras in Western art music, he remains one of the most famous and influential composers of all time.Born in Bonn, then the capital of the Electorate of Cologne and part of...
's Fifth Symphony
Symphony No. 5 (Beethoven)
The Symphony No. 5 in C minor, Op. 67, was written by Ludwig van Beethoven in 1804–08. This symphony is one of the most popular and best-known compositions in all of classical music, and one of the most often played symphonies. It comprises four movements: an opening sonata, an andante, and a fast...
and other standards otherwise little known to them. He obtained some official recognition during the 1860s. He died in Grefsen
Grefsen
right|thumbnail|300px|Grefsen ChurchGrefsen is a neighbourhood of the city of Oslo, Norway.Together with Kjelsås, Grefsen was part of the borough Grefsen-Kjelsås until January 1, 2004, when they became part of the new borough of Nordre Aker....
, near Christiania, in 1868, aged only 52.
His fame rests mainly on his beautiful and manly national partsongs and solos. His piano
Piano
The piano is a musical instrument played by means of a keyboard. It is one of the most popular instruments in the world. Widely used in classical and jazz music for solo performances, ensemble use, chamber music and accompaniment, the piano is also very popular as an aid to composing and rehearsal...
music is equally charming. Edvard Grieg
Edvard Grieg
Edvard Hagerup Grieg was a Norwegian composer and pianist. He is best known for his Piano Concerto in A minor, for his incidental music to Henrik Ibsen's play Peer Gynt , and for his collection of piano miniatures Lyric Pieces.-Biography:Edvard Hagerup Grieg was born in...
was an enthusiatic admirer of it and he was undoubtedly influenced by it in writing his Lyric Pieces
Lyric Pieces
Lyric Pieces is a collection of 66 short pieces for solo piano written by Edvard Grieg. They were published in 10 volumes, from 1867 to 1901...
. It was recorded in its entirety in 2001 by Einar Steen-Nøkleberg.
His piano students included Agathe Backer-Grøndahl and Erika Nissen
Erika Nissen
Erika Nissen, née Lie was a Norwegian pianist.She was born in Kongsvinger as the daughter of jurist Michael Strøm Lie and his wife Ingeborg Birgitte Røring Møinichen. She was the sister of Thomasine Lie, who married Jonas Lie...
(then known as Erika Lie).