CASTENSKIOLD, Olga Grevenkop

OLGA GREVENKOP CASTENSKIOLD (1883–1978) was a Danish composer and singer. Born Olga Magnus in Copenhagen, she began performing as a singer in 1906 and later studied in Berlin and Paris, where she was a pupil of Edmond Duvernoy, professor of singing at the Paris Conservatoire. In 1908, she married the Danish landowner Jørgen Adolph Grevenkop-Castenskiold.
Her complete known output comprises twelve compositions grouped under nine opus numbers, all published in 1919. Her works include the sensual violin-and-piano piece Narcose, Op. 1, the piano pieces Physiognomi, Op. 2, and Aveu, Op. 3, as well as several songs for voice and piano. She wrote the texts for all her songs herself. Her music is characterised by a lyrical, French-influenced late-Romantic style, with expressive melodies, colourful modulations and occasional echoes of Edvard Grieg. After the publication of these works, she appears to have withdrawn from composition.