A Dictionary of Music and Musicians/Svendsen, Oluf

by George Grove

SVENDSEN, Oluf, a distinguished flute-player, born in Christiania April 19, 1832. He learnt the rudiments of playing from his father, a musician; when 12 years old played the flute in small orchestras; and at 14 was engaged as first flute in the Christiania theatre. In 1851 he went to Copenhagen, and took lessons from Nils Petersen, then a flute-player there. In 1853 he entered the Conservatoire at Brussels, where he studied for two years, after which he was engaged by Jullien for his Concerts in London. In September, 1856, he joined the Band of the Crystal Palace, Sydenham, where he remained till the end of 1858. In 1861 Svendsen was appointed first flute in the Queen's private band, and the same year joined the Philharmonic orchestra. He was ten years in the orchestra at Her Majesty's Theatre; and since 1867 has been professor of his instrument at the Royal Academy of Music. He is well known as a solo-player throughout Belgium, Norway, Sweden, Denmark, and France. [App. p.797 "Add date of death, May 15, 1888."]

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