Halfdan Kjerulf was born in Oslo on September 17, 1815. He
received his forst instruction in music from Lars Roverud and
Otto Wetterstrand, both of whom were active as music teachers in
the city at that time. He learned to play the piano, and he
probably learned some elementary music theory from Roverud. Like
his father, who held a high position in the Ministry of Finance,
he planned to become a civil servant and began the study of law.
His legal studies were interrupted by serious illness in 1839,
however, and he never returned to them. In the summer of 1840 he
took a pleasure trip to Paris. This excursion proved to be of
great importance to him, for in Paris he encountered a thriving
music life with outstanding concert performances of both the
Viennese Classicists and the early Romantic composers. He also
heard the music of Berlioz, who at that time was a controversial
figure in French music. The winter and spring of 1840-41 were a
difficult time for Kjerulf; his sister, father and brother died.
Upon the de