Tivoli Circus Polka
Christian Teilman

Christian Tielman

Christian Teilman (30 July 1843 – 4 December 1909) was a Norwegian organist, pianist, and composer. He was one of the most prolific and popular Norwegian composers of of his time. He wrote many small works suitable for amateur performers.

Teilman grew upin Østfold, and later in Christiania. He became interested in music early and received his education from the composer and organist Carl Arnold in Christiania and the composer and pianist Herman Berens in Stockholm. After a few years in Bergen he resided in Christiania from 1869 and worked as a music teacher, composer and pianist. In later years he was an organist at the Garnison Church in Akershus. Teilman never married, and he lived and taught at changing addresses with his brother Carl Teilman (1845-1911). The brother ran a piano shop and also released some minor compositions.

Teilman was a famous in Oslo for his popular piano music. He participated in numerous popular concerts with his own works – including the famous Tivoli Gardens. However, not everyone was as enthusiastic. Many music critics found his work to be “well-meaning” but insignifcant.

Teilman wrote more than 250 compositions, most for piano solo but a few larger works for musical theater as well. Many of his pieces were inspired by Norwegian tunes. He was an inventive composer, even if he chose to write “light music”. At his best, he showed a distinct ability to write pleasant, tuneful music for the amateur pianist. He had a thorough knowledge of the piano and an intuitive feeling for what the audience wanted.