Eva Knardahl

Eva Knardahl Freiwald (born May 10, 1927 , † September 3, 2006 in Oslo ) was a Norwegian classical pianist who made a career as a musical prodigy as well as an adult artist.

She made her debut at the age of 12 with the Oslo Philharmonic Orchestra ( Johann Sebastian Bach Concerto in F minor, Joseph Haydn , Concerto in D major, Carl Maria von Weber , Piano Concerto No. 1 in C major, Op. 11) and was highly praised by the critics for it.

In 1946 she moved to the United States , where she did excellent work with the Minnesota Orchestra for fifteen years before returning to Norway in 1967 . She became an integral part of the Norwegian classical music scene and first professor of chamber music at the Norwegian University of Music.

The best-known part of her artistic work is the interpretation of the piano works by Edvard Grieg .

Prizes and awards

• 1968 Critics 'Prizes (Norwegian Critics' Prize)
• 1977 Norsk kulturråds ærespris (Annual Prize of the Norwegian Culture Council)
• 1979 Knight 1st class in the Den Kongelige Norske St. Olavs Orden (Royal Norwegian Order of Saint Olaf ), for outstanding artistic work
• 1982 Gammleng prizes (Gammleng Prize, Classical Music)
• 1982 Spellemannprisen in the category Classical / New Music for her album Norwegian Music For the Piano
• 1984 Appointment as first professor for chamber music at Norges Musikkhøgskole (Norwegian University of Music)
• 1986 Spellemannprisen in the category Classical / New Music for her album Grieg sonater for fiolin / klaver og cello / klaver (sonatas for piano and violin by Edvard Grieg, with Arve Tellefsen, Aage Kvalbein and Jens Harald Bratlie)
• 1995 Appointment as Æresmedlem Nasjonalballetten (honorary member of the national ballet)