Introduction
Ola Gjeilo (English pronunciation [‘jeɪloʊ]; born May 5, 1978) is a Norwegian composer and pianist, living in the United States.
He writes choral music, and has written for piano and wind symphony, publishing through Walton Music, Edition Peters, and Boosey and Hawkes.
Biography
Ola Gjeilo was born on May 5, 1978, 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. Gjeilo studied classical composition with Wolfgang Plagge. 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. He continued his education at Juilliard (2004–06) where he received his master's degree in 2006, also in composition. From 2009–10, Gjeilo was composer-in-residence for Phoenix Chorale.
He currently resides in Manhattan, working as a freelance composer. He is currently composer-in-residence with Voces8.
Major compositions
Discography
Choral:
- Ola Gjeilo (Decca Classics, 2016) (with Voces8, Tenebrae, and the Chamber Orchestra of London)
- Northern Lights (Chandos, 2012) (with the Phoenix Chorale)
- Dark Night of the Soul (Walton Music, 2010) (with Phoenix Chorale)
Piano:
- Piano Improvisations (2L, 2012)
- Stone Rose (2L, 2007)