Otto Winter Hjelm

Who was Otto Winter Hjelm?

Otto Winter Hjelm was a Norwegian musician, conductor, writer, composer and music critic. He was born in Christiana, and studied in Leipzig and Berlin. He became a leading force in Norwegian music, established a music school in 1864 and founded the music Conservatory in Christiana with Edvard Grieg in 1866. He also served as organist for the Trinity Church in Oslo from 1874 to 1921 and music critic for Aftenposten from 1887 to 1913. Winter Hjelm composed two symphonies and a number of cantata and songs for male chorus.