Ruth Lagesen (August 10, 1914 – April 7, 2005) was a
Norwegians pianist and conductor.
Biography
Lagesen was born in
Bagn in the
Valdres district.
She started studying in 1933 with Mary Barratt Due,
Nils Larsen,
and
Erling Westher in
Oslo, and she debuted as a pianist
at the University of Oslo's Aula Hall in 1935
with the Oslo Philharmonic. After further study in
Brussels and
London, in 1938 she settled in
Larvik, working for the
Treschow family at Fritzøehus.
After the Second World War, she established the town's Cecilia Society in 1945 and served as the head of
NRK's junior orchestra from 1947 to 1951.
Lagesen was often featured by NRK as a soloist with the Norwegian Radio Orchestra and she also appeared on TV abroad. She distinguished herself in 1949 as Norway's first female orchestra conductor.
She was known for conducting a number of large-scale works, including Handel's
Messiah and Bach's passions. In 1977 she conducted Bach's
Christmas Oratorio from
Kongsberg Church in three programs on NRK Television.
After studying in Paris with Nadia Boulanger
Lagesen died at age 90 in Larvik.
