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Norway

Birth

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October 22, 1948 in Kongsberg, Norway

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Keyboard

 

Håkon Austbø is a Norwegian classical pianist who has gained international recognition for his performances and recordings of contemporary and modern classical music. Born on April 23, 1948, in Oslo, Norway, Austbø began his musical education at the age of six, studying piano with his mother. He later studied at the Norwegian Academy of Music in Oslo, where he received his diploma in 1971. He continued his studies in Paris with Yvonne Loriod, the wife of the famous French composer Olivier Messiaen. Austbø's career as a concert pianist began in the early 1970s, and he quickly gained a reputation as a performer of contemporary music. He has premiered works by many of the leading composers of the 20th and 21st centuries, including György Ligeti, Olivier Messiaen, Luciano Berio, and Karlheinz Stockhausen. He has also recorded extensively, with over 50 albums to his credit. One of Austbø's most notable performances was his 1985 recording of Messiaen's complete piano works, which was released on the Naxos label. The recording received critical acclaim and helped to establish Austbø as one of the leading interpreters of Messiaen's music. He has also recorded the complete piano works of Ligeti, as well as works by Berio, Stockhausen, and other contemporary composers. In addition to his work as a performer and recording artist, Austbø has also been active as a teacher. He has taught at the Norwegian Academy of Music, the Conservatoire National Supérieur de Musique et de Danse de Paris, and the Hochschule für Musik und Theater Hamburg. He has also given masterclasses and workshops around the world. Austbø has received numerous awards and honors throughout his career. In 1986, he was awarded the Norwegian Music Critics' Prize for his recording of Messiaen's complete piano works. He has also been awarded the Diapason d'Or, the Grand Prix du Disque, and the Edison Award for his recordings. In 2005, he was awarded the Sibelius Medal by the Finnish government for his contributions to the promotion of Finnish music. Despite his success as a performer and recording artist, Austbø remains committed to promoting contemporary music and supporting young composers. He has commissioned and premiered works by many young composers, and he has been a strong advocate for the development of new music. In conclusion, Håkon Austbø is a highly respected classical pianist who has made significant contributions to the performance and promotion of contemporary and modern classical music. His recordings and performances have received critical acclaim, and he has been recognized with numerous awards and honors. He continues to be an active performer, recording artist, and teacher, and he remains committed to promoting new music and supporting young composers.

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