Øivin Fjeldstad
Encyclopedia
Øivin Fjeldstad was a Norwegian
conductor
and violin
ist who led the Oslo Philharmonic from 1962 to 1969.
A native of Oslo
, Øivin Fjeldstad debuted as a violinist in 1921 following musical instruction in the conservatories of Oslo and Leipzig
. Ten years later, having studied with Clemens Krauss
in Berlin
, he began his conducting career in Oslo and, after the end of World War II
and the founding of the Norwegian Radio Orchestra
(Kringkastingsorkestret) in 1946, he became its head conductor. Between 1958 and 1960, the Norwegian National Opera and Ballet
had Kirsten Flagstad
as its general manager and Øivin Fjeldstad as its first artistic director. In 1962 he, along with Herbert Blomstedt
, succeeded Odd Grüner-Hegge as head conductor of Oslo Philharmonic, the nation's leading orchestra, becoming one of the most influential figures in his country's postwar musical history. He was awarded the Royal Norwegian Order of St. Olav, which is bestowed for remarkable accomplishments on behalf of native land and humanity.
Øivin Fjeldstad died in Oslo at the age of 80. His daughter, Lise Fjeldstad
, is a well-known Norwegian actress.
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...
conductor
Conducting
Conducting is the art of directing a musical performance by way of visible gestures. The primary duties of the conductor are to unify performers, set the tempo, execute clear preparations and beats, and to listen critically and shape the sound of the ensemble...
and violin
Violin
The violin is a string instrument, usually with four strings tuned in perfect fifths. It is the smallest, highest-pitched member of the violin family of string instruments, which includes the viola and cello....
ist who led the Oslo Philharmonic from 1962 to 1969.
A native of Oslo
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...
, Øivin Fjeldstad debuted as a violinist in 1921 following musical instruction in the conservatories of Oslo and 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...
. Ten years later, having studied with Clemens Krauss
Clemens Krauss
Clemens Heinrich Krauss was an Austrian conductor and opera impresario, particularly associated with the music of Richard Strauss.-Biography:...
in Berlin
Berlin
Berlin is the capital city of Germany and is one of the 16 states of Germany. With a population of 3.45 million people, Berlin is Germany's largest city. It is the second most populous city proper and the seventh most populous urban area in the European Union...
, he began his conducting career in Oslo and, after the end of World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
and the founding of the Norwegian Radio Orchestra
Norwegian Radio Orchestra
The Norwegian Radio Orchestra is a Norwegian orchestra affiliated with the Norwegian Broadcasting Corporation . Its principal base is the Store Studio at the NRK headquarters in Oslo....
(Kringkastingsorkestret) in 1946, he became its head conductor. Between 1958 and 1960, the Norwegian National Opera and Ballet
Norwegian National Opera and Ballet
The Norwegian National Opera and Ballet is the first fully professional company for opera and ballet in Norway. Its seat is the Oslo Opera House.It was founded in 1957...
had Kirsten Flagstad
Kirsten Flagstad
Kirsten Målfrid Flagstad was a Norwegian opera singer and a highly regarded Wagnerian soprano...
as its general manager and Øivin Fjeldstad as its first artistic director. In 1962 he, along with Herbert Blomstedt
Herbert Blomstedt
Herbert Blomstedt is a Swedish conductor.Herbert Blomstedt was born in Springfield, Massachusetts and two years after his birth, his Swedish parents moved the family back to their country of origin...
, succeeded Odd Grüner-Hegge as head conductor of Oslo Philharmonic, the nation's leading orchestra, becoming one of the most influential figures in his country's postwar musical history. He was awarded the Royal Norwegian Order of St. Olav, which is bestowed for remarkable accomplishments on behalf of native land and humanity.
Øivin Fjeldstad died in Oslo at the age of 80. His daughter, Lise Fjeldstad
Lise Fjeldstad
Lise Barbra Skappel Fjeldstad is a Norwegian actress, and daughter of the conductor and violinist Øivin Fjeldstad. She graduated from the Norwegian National Academy of Theatre in 1963, and immediately started working at Det Norske Teatret...
, is a well-known Norwegian actress.