Erling Westher (March 12, 1903 – July 3, 1986) was a Norwegian pianist and educator. Westher debuted with the

Oslo Philharmonic The Oslo Philharmonic (Oslo-Filharmonien) is a Norwegian symphony orchestra based in Oslo, Norway. The orchestra traces its roots to the Philharmonic Society founded in 1847 and the Christiania Musical Association co-founded by Edvard Grieg in 18 ...

on November 10, 1927, with

Christian Sinding Christian August Sinding (11 January 18563 December 1941) was a Norwegian composer. He is best known for his lyrical work for piano '' Frühlingsrauschen'' (Rustle of Spring, 1896). He was often compared to Edvard Grieg and regarded as his succ ...

's ''Konsert for klaver og orkester i D♭-Dur'' (Concerto for Piano and Orchestra in D♭ major). He taught at

Nils Larsen Nils Larsen (19 June 1900 – 29 September 1976) was a Norwegian sea captain. Larsen is perhaps most associated with the Norvegia expeditions of Antarctica. Larsen was born in Sandar, and became a noted whaler, captaining a number of whalin ...

's Piano Academy from 1924 to 1937. Westher took over the artistic leadership of the academy after Larsen's death in 1937, and he held that position until he established his own piano institute in 1948. Regarding Westher's teaching work, the pianist

Kjell Bækkelund Kjell Bækkelund (6 May 1930 – 13 May 2004) was a Norwegian classical pianist. Biography Bækkelund was born in Oslo, Norway. He was the son of Martin Bækkelund (1903–66) and Rallik Antonette Hansen (1904–94). He was a student at the O ...

wrote, among other things, that "What characterizes Westher's piano pedagogy is his intense empathy with the substance and his ability to inspire the student to the utmost, while at the same time he knows a lot about special piano problems and has found clarity in this area." Westher's most prominent pupils included

Kirsti Hjort Kirsti is a feminine given name. Related names include Kersti, Kirsten, Kjersti. Notable people with the name include: * Kirsti Andersen (born 1941), Danish historian of mathematics * Kirsti Bergstø (born 1981), Norwegian politician * Kirsti B ...

Ruth Lagesen Ruth Lagesen (August 10, 1914 – April 7, 2005) was a Norwegian pianist and conductor. Biography Lagesen was born in Bagn in the Valdres Valdres () is a traditional district in central, southern Norway, situated between the districts of Gudb ...

, Olaug Fostås, Karin Westher, Oskar Raaum, Ella Arntsen,

Rolf Østbye Rolf Østbye (17 April 1898 – 20 November 1979) was a Norwegian businessperson. He was born in Kristiania as a son of rector Niels Johan Hagerup Østbye (1866–1952) and Johanne Elisabeth Mellbye (1873–1962). From 1923 to 1931 he was married ...

Gunnar Sønstevold Gunnar Sønstevold (26 November 1912 – 18 October 1991) was a Norwegian composer. He was born in Elverum, and married composer Maj Sønstevold in 1941. He composed orchestral works, vocal music, chamber music, and music to a number of plays, ...

Magne Hegdal Magne may refer to: * Magne (given name), origin of and people with the given name * Magne (surname), origin of and people with the surname * , several ships of the Swedish Navy * Magne Charge, an inductive charging system * Magne (''My Hero Acad ...

, Ester Skogsrud, Johan Øian, Hans Olav Egede Larssen, Laila Aavatsmark,

Edvard Hagerup Bull Edvard Hagerup Bull (23 January 1855 – 25 March 1938) was a Norwegian jurist and assessor of the Supreme Court of Norway. He was a member of the Norwegian Parliament and government official with the Conservative Party of Norway. Background Ed ...

, Jarle Sørå,

Kåre Siem Kåre Siem (8 June 1914 – 23 June 1986) was a Norwegian musician and writer. Early and personal life Siem was born in Kristiania, to Sverre Julius Siem and Elida Annette Antonsen. He was married to Evy Christophersen from 1942 to 1959, and to ...

, and Rolf Syversen. Westher also worked as a music critic for the Oslo's magazines, and he was a regular music contributor to '' Arbeiderbladet'' from 1949 onward. Westher composed the song "Slottsvalsen" (Castle Waltz), which was recorded and was popular in the 1930s.

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Westher, Erling 1903 births 1986 deaths Norwegian classical pianists 20th-century Norwegian pianists Norwegian music educators Norwegian music critics Norwegian music journalists Musicians from Oslo