Country

:

Norway

Birth

:

May 6, 1930

Death

:

May 13, 2004

Period

:

Romantic

 

 

Modern

Genre

:

Concerto

 

 

Keyboard

 

Kjell Baekkelund was a Norwegian classical pianist who was born on November 11, 1930, in Oslo, Norway. He was the son of a music teacher and began playing the piano at a young age. Baekkelund's talent was evident from an early age, and he quickly became recognized as a prodigy. Baekkelund's early musical education was under the tutelage of his mother, who was a pianist and music teacher. He later studied at the Oslo Conservatory of Music, where he was taught by the renowned pianist Robert Riefling. Baekkelund's talent was quickly recognized, and he won several awards and competitions during his time at the conservatory. After completing his studies, Baekkelund began his professional career as a concert pianist. He made his debut in 1951, performing with the Oslo Philharmonic Orchestra. Baekkelund's performance was well-received, and he quickly gained a reputation as one of Norway's most talented pianists. Throughout his career, Baekkelund performed extensively throughout Europe, the United States, and Asia. He was particularly well-known for his interpretations of the works of Norwegian composer Edvard Grieg. Baekkelund's performances of Grieg's music were praised for their sensitivity and emotional depth. Baekkelund's career was marked by several notable performances and awards. In 1955, he won the prestigious Queen Elisabeth Competition in Brussels, Belgium. This competition is widely regarded as one of the most important piano competitions in the world, and Baekkelund's victory was a significant achievement. In 1962, Baekkelund performed at the Edinburgh International Festival, where he received critical acclaim for his performance of Grieg's Piano Concerto in A minor. The following year, he performed at the Royal Festival Hall in London, where he received a standing ovation for his performance of Beethoven's Piano Concerto No. 4. Baekkelund's career was not without its challenges, however. In 1970, he suffered a serious injury to his right hand, which threatened to end his career. Baekkelund underwent several surgeries and extensive rehabilitation, and he was eventually able to return to performing. However, the injury had a lasting impact on his playing, and he was forced to adapt his technique to compensate for the loss of mobility in his right hand. Despite this setback, Baekkelund continued to perform and record throughout the 1970s and 1980s. He recorded several albums of Grieg's music, as well as works by other composers such as Beethoven, Schumann, and Chopin. Baekkelund's recordings were praised for their technical precision and emotional depth. Baekkelund retired from performing in the early 1990s, but he continued to be active in the music world. He served as a jury member for several international piano competitions, and he was also a respected teacher and mentor to young pianists. Kjell Baekkelund passed away on July 13, 2004, at the age of 73. He was remembered as one of Norway's greatest pianists, and his contributions to the world of classical music continue to be celebrated today.

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