14 Facts About Olav Kielland

Olav Kielland took his final exams at the Trondheim Cathedral School in 1919.

Olav Kielland studied to become an architect like his father at the Norwegian Institute of Technology from 1919 until 1921.

Olav Kielland then moved to Leipzig where he studied conducting, composition, piano and bassoon at the Music Conservatory.

Olav Kielland was repetiteur with the Casino Theatre in Oslo, and conductor with the Stora Teatern in Gothenburg.

In 1939, Olav Kielland was offered the position as chief conductor by the New York Philharmonic Orchestra, but was hindered by the outbreak of World War II and could not travel and accept the position.

Olav Kielland was suspended from several organisations, such as the Norwegian Composer's Union.

Gradually, Olav Kielland started focusing more and more on the composing, and less on the conducting.

Olav Kielland preferred being a guest conductor and only take on shorter engagements.

Olav Kielland therefore rejected the offer to return to Filharmonisk Selskap in 1946, but the position was held open until 1949, in case he would reconsider.

Olav Kielland was guest conductor for a number of other orchestras, such as the Berlin Philharmonic, the London Symphony Orchestra, and the New York Philharmonic.

Olav Kielland's music is strongly influenced by Norwegian folk music and perhaps particularly by the Hardanger fiddle.

Olav Kielland's music has a prominent polyphonic tendency, with penetrating dissonant lines.

Olav Kielland composed eight larger symphonic works, amongst those the Violin concerto, the music to the play "Brand" of Ibsen, the Concerto Grosso Norvegese and the Piano Concerto.

Olav Kielland composed several songs with orchestra, choir songs, psalms, chamber music, and piano works.