Håkon Austbø

Norwegian Classical Pianist

Håkon Austbø is a Norwegian classical pianist renowned for his interpretations of French piano music, particularly the works of Olivier Messiaen and Erik Satie. Born on October 22, 1948, in Kongsberg, Norway, Austbø has established a distinguished international career. He studied at the Conservatoire de Paris and later at the Juilliard School in New York. His deep engagement with the music of Messiaen is exemplified by his performances and recordings of "Vingt Regards Sur L'enfant Jésus," a complex and spiritually profound suite for solo piano that is considered one of the composer's masterpieces. Austbø's expertise also extends to the evocative miniatures of Erik Satie, as reflected in his recordings of works such as "Gymnopédies," "Gnossiennes," and "Sarabandes." His dedication to the solo piano repertoire is further demonstrated by his recording of the "Complete Works For Piano Solo" by various composers. Throughout his career, Austbø has been recognized for his nuanced touch and insightful musicality, making significant contributions to the interpretation of 20th-century piano music.