Ola Gjeilo (/ˈjl/ YAY-loh,[1] Norwegian: [ˈûːlɑ ˈjæ̀ɪlʊ]; born May 5, 1978) is a Norwegian composer and pianist, living in the United States.[2]

Ola Gjeilo
Ola Gjeilo
Gjeilo in 2011
Born (1978-05-05) May 5, 1978 (age 45)
Skui, Bærum, Norway
Occupations
  • Composer
  • Pianist
Websiteolagjeilo.com

He writes choral music, and has written for piano and wind symphony, publishing through Walton Music, Edition Peters, and Boosey and Hawkes.[2][3]

Biography edit

Ola Gjeilo was born to Inge and Anne-May Gjeilo, and grew up in Skui, Norway. He began playing piano and composing when he was five years old and learned to read music when he was seven years old.[4] Gjeilo studied classical composition with Wolfgang Plagge.[4] In his undergraduate career, Gjeilo studied at the Norwegian Academy of Music (1999–2001), transferred to the Juilliard School (2001), and studied at the Royal College of Music, London (2002–2004) to receive a bachelor's degree in composition.[5] He continued his education at Juilliard (2004–06) where he received his master's degree in 2006, also in composition. From 2009 to 2010, Gjeilo was composer-in-residence for Phoenix Chorale.[4]

He currently resides in Manhattan, working as a freelance composer. He is currently composer-in-residence with DCINY[6] and Albany Pro Musica.[7]

Major compositions edit

Sunrise Mass
Orchestrated for strings and choir.[8]
Dreamweaver
Written for choir, piano, and string orchestra. The text is set from a popular medieval ballad from Norway, Draumkvedet, translated into English by Charles Anthony Silvestri, one of his regular collaborators.[9]
The River
For choir, piano and string quartet. Composed for the 2016 Brock Commission, awarded from the American Choral Directors Association.[10][11]

Discography edit

Note: Piano performed by Ola Gjeilo on all albums.

Choral:

Piano:

References edit

  1. ^ "Ola describes it as "YAY-lo"" (PDF). olagjeilo.com. Retrieved 2 September 2020.
  2. ^ a b "Ola Gjeilo's official biography, from his website". olagjeilo.com. Retrieved March 26, 2016.
  3. ^ Cheo, Patrick. "Wind Symphony Ola Gjeilo: Composer, Pianist, 2014". olagjeilo.com. Retrieved October 2, 2014. Archived 2014-11-24 at the Wayback Machine.
  4. ^ a b c "An exclusive interview with Ola Gjeilo - Musicroom Blog - Everything for the Musician". musicroom.com. 5 February 2013. Archived from the original on 1 December 2017. Retrieved 22 February 2017.
  5. ^ “Ola Gjeilo,” United Singers International: CGI Copyright Singers.com, 2014, accessed September 30, 2014.
  6. ^ "Ola Gjeilo". www.dciny.org. Retrieved Mar 17, 2019.
  7. ^ Biancolli, Amy (Oct 25, 2017). "Albany Pro Musica concert to mark debut of partnership with composer". Times Union. Retrieved Mar 17, 2019.
  8. ^ Papania, Christine, “Ola Gjeilo: Sunrise Mass and World Premiere of Dreamweaver at Carnegie Hall,” ChoralNet: American Choral Directors Association, 2014, accessed October 3, 2014 Archived 2017-12-01 at the Wayback Machine.
  9. ^ "Ola Gjeilo: Sunrise Mass and World Premiere of Dreamweaver at Carnegie Hall - Chorus America". chorusamerica.org. Retrieved 22 February 2017.
  10. ^ Dorsey, Scott, “Ola Gjeilo to Compose 2016 Brock Commission,” ChoralNet: American Choral Directors Association, 2014, accessed October 1, 2014,[permanent dead link]
  11. ^ "Raymond W. Brock Memorial Commission". Oklahoma City: American Choral Directors Association. Archived from the original on 2023-07-08. Retrieved 2023-07-12.
  12. ^ "Winter Songs - Ola Gjeilo". olagjeilo.com. Retrieved 17 November 2017.
  13. ^ "Winter Songs Ola Gjeilo (piano)". www.prestomusic.com. Retrieved 22 October 2023.
  14. ^ "Ola Gjeilo - Ola Gjeilo". olagjeilo.com. Retrieved 22 February 2017.
  15. ^ a b "discography". www.deccaclassics.com. Retrieved 22 October 2023.
  16. ^ "NEW CD! NORTHERN LIGHTS". phoenixchorale.org. Archived from the original on 24 July 2022. Retrieved 17 May 2021.
  17. ^ "Ola Gjeilo - Dawn". olagjeilo.com. Retrieved 13 August 2022.
  18. ^ "Ola Gjeilo - Night". olagjeilo.com. Retrieved 13 April 2020.
  19. ^ "Ola Gjeilo showcases the soul of New York City in 'Night'". www.yourclassical.org. June 10, 2020. Retrieved 25 October 2023.
  20. ^ "Piano Improvisations - Ola Gjeilo". olagjeilo.com. Retrieved 22 February 2017.
  21. ^ a b John Sunier (Jun 15, 2012). "OLA GJEILO – Piano Improvisations". www.audaud.com. Retrieved 25 October 2023.
  22. ^ "Stone Rose - Ola Gjeilo". olagjeilo.com. Retrieved 22 February 2017.

External links edit