Harald Herresthal

Harald Herresthal is a Norwegian academic and Full Professor (1978-present) at the Norwegian Academy of Music in Oslo, with prior roles as Assistant Professor (1973) and Lecturer (1968) in music history. He served as Academy President (Rektor 1980-83) and organist at Majorstuen Church since 1974. His work bridges music history, organ performance, and liturgical traditions, emphasizing Nordic-German interactions and 19th-21st century Norwegian composers.

• Academic roles span 40+ years at Norwegian Academy of Music
• Specializes in church music, Scandinavian-German musical exchange, and composers like Grieg, Bull, and Svendsen
• Highlights include Edvard Grieg's international networks and Ole Bull's cultural diplomacy

Publications focus on Nordic musical identity, nationalism in composition, and historical performance practices across 15+ books and articles since 1984. Awards include The King's Order of Merit, Lindeman Prize, and honorary doctorate from Berlin University of the Arts. His research spans liturgical organ traditions, German-Norwegian cultural ties, and modern music policy in East Germany.

• 1998: Paul Harris Fellow, Rotary Foundation
• 2003: King's Gold Medal, Lindeman Prize
• 2003: Dr.h.c. from Universität der Künste Berlin