Brynjar Hoff

Brynjar Hoff (b. 1940) hails from a family of well-known musicians. He started his oboe training in 1950, and at the age of fifteen he was appointed oboist with Trondheim Symphony Orchestra. He was soon offered solo parts with the chamber group of that orchestra and had several radio performances. When the Norwegian National Opera was established, Brynjar Hoff became the first principal oboe of the new opera orchestra. He is one of the founders of Oslo Wind Quintet. In 1965 Hoff joined Oslo Philharmonic Orchestra as co-principal oboe. His first recital in the University Great Hall in 1973 received glowing reviews. He has appeared numerous times as soloist with Oslo Philharmonic Orchestra, and he has toured with, among others, the San Francisco Chamber Orchestra. He also had a long and fruitful collaboration with pianist Robert Levin. In 1973 he was awarded Spellemannprisen, Norway’s ‘Grammy’, for Mozart’s Oboe Quartet. Brynjar Hoff has had many works written for him, and in 1981 the Norwegian Association of Composers selected him as ‘Musician of the Year’ in recognition of his efforts to promote Norwegian contemporary music. Brynjar Hoff was heard everywhere — in concert halls, on recordings, on radio and TV, and in films. Moreover, his openness towards all musical genres made him a highly sought-after artist in the worlds of jazz and popular music.