Ola Gjeilo

Norwegian composer and pianist Ola Gjeilo (pronounced “Yay-lo”) is unencumbered by formerly dominant ideologies of contemporary classical music and their often aggressive rejection of the past. The sweeping melodies, sumptuous multilayered harmonies and heartfelt expression of his many choral compositions are nourished by a profound feeling for the most natural and timeless forms of singing—those that flow with ease and stir deep emotions. Born in rural Norway in 1978, he learned to play piano and compose by ear as a child and progressed to study music in Oslo, London and New York. Gjeilo has absorbed influences as diverse as Gregorian chant, the jazz of Keith Jarrett and Pat Metheny, and the film scores of Thomas Newman. While composer-in-residence of the Phoenix Chorale, the Manhattan-based musician made his breakthrough with the choir’s 2012 album of his works, its title track “Northern Lights”, “Serenity” and “The Spheres” exquisitely beautiful among them. International interest in his music grew following Decca’s 2016 release of Ola Gjeilo, an eponymous album graced by standout performances from VOCES8 and Tenebrae, and has flourished since with such choral recordings as Winter Songs (2017), Dark & Luminous Night (2020) and Planets for solo piano (2022).