Øivin Fjeldstad

Øivin Fjeldstad (2 May 1903 – 16 October 1983) was a Norwegian conductor and violinist 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 actress while his son Øivin Skappel Fjeldstad is a banker and politician.

External links

• Catalog of Øivin Fjeldstad's recordings
• as Øivind Fjeldstad at the Internet Movie Database
• as Øivin Fjelstad at the Internet Movie Database