Herman Severin Lovenskiold

Herman Severin Løvenskiold was a Norwegian-born Danish composer and organist. He was born at Ulefoss in Norway, where his father was the director of the Ulefos Iron Works. In 1829, his family moved to Denmark. He showed great musical talent from an early age and studied music with composer Peter Casper Krossing. He also traveled abroad and studied in Vienna, Leipzig and St. Petersburg. He made his debut in 1836 with the music for August Bournonville's ballet La Sylphide, which is still performed by the Royal Danish Ballet and is considered a masterpiece of the Romantic era. He composed music for several other dramatic works for the Royal Danish Theatre, such as Hulen i Kullafjeld, The New Penelope, Turandot, and Ildprøven. He also wrote concert overtures, chamber music, songs, and piano pieces. He was the organist at Christiansborg Castle Church from 1851 until his death. He died of pneumonia in 1870 and was buried at Frederiksberg Ældre Kirkegård. He was a baron and a member of the noble Løvenskiold family.