Thomas D.A. Tellefsen

Shortly after his debut as a pianist in Trondheim in the spring of 1842, Thomas Tellefsen left for Paris to study music. He established himself relatively quickly in the cultural metropolis, where he won international recognition as a composer, piano virtuoso and teacher. He produced 44 original works, most of which are written for solo piano. His list of works also comprises a relatively large number of chamber music pieces and two piano concertos. Tellefsen was introduced to Chopin in…

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Shortly after his debut as a pianist in Trondheim in the spring of 1842, Thomas Tellefsen left for Paris to study music. He established himself relatively quickly in the cultural metropolis, where he won international recognition as a composer, piano virtuoso and teacher. He produced 44 original works, most of which are written for solo piano. His list of works also comprises a relatively large number of chamber music pieces and two piano concertos. Tellefsen was introduced to Chopin in November 1844, and studied with him on a regular basis until May 1847. During this period Tellefsen underwent intensive development both as a performer and as a composer, and a close friendship developed between the two musicians. After Chopin’s death, Thomas Tellefsen took over a number of Chopin’s piano students in Paris. These students were mostly members of the French, British and Polish aristocracy and upper classes. Tellefsen rapidly gained a reputation as an extremely gifted piano teacher, and became a sought-after pedagogue among the “highest circles” in Paris. Ingrid Loe Dalaker