Johannes Haarklou

Full biography Johannes Haarklou

Johannes Haarklou (1847-1925) was a Norwegian composer, organist, and music reviewer who gained prominence in the Norwegian music scene during the period of 1880-1925. Born on May 13, 1847, in Bergen, Norway, Haarklou was educated in music at the Leipzig Conservatory, where he studied under noted composer and pianist Ignaz Moscheles and other important teachers of the time.

Haarklou was a prolific composer who wrote in a variety of genres, including symphonies, chamber music, piano music, and choral works. His music was characterized by its Romantic style and its expressive harmonies, and he is perhaps best known for his four symphonies. His music was often performed by the Bergen Philharmonic Orchestra, which was the first professional orchestra in Norway and which regularly premiered new works by Norwegian composers.

In addition to his work as a composer, Haarklou was also an influential music critic who wrote for several publications, including the Bergen Arbeiderblad and the Bergens Tidende. He was a strong advocate for Norwegian music and culture, and his writing helped to popularize Norwegian music both in Norway and abroad. Haarklou was also an important music educator who taught at several institutions, including the Bergen Conservatory.

Haarklou died on November 26, 1925, in Bergen. Today, he is remembered as one of the most important Norwegian composers of the late 19th and early 20th centuries, and his music continues to be performed and recorded by musicians around the world.