I thought this would be about our ACTUAL national anthem composers, not which composers we WISHED were that.
Bjørnstjerne Bjørnson wrote the lyrics for our anthem (one of the "big four" in Norwegian literature history, the others being Kielland, Lie and Ibsen), while the melody was composed by Richard Nordraak -- Bjørson's cousin. Sadly, Nordraak passed away at only age 23 in 1866 (of tuberculosis), but he did manage to compose a few bits of music, mostly stageplays by his cousin.
If Nordraak hadn't composed the anthem, an obvious choice would have been Edvard Grieg. He was actually more or less the same age as Nordraak, so they would both have been around 20 when the melody needed composing. In fact, they were friends while they both stayed in Copenhagen. Grieg had already composed several things by then, but obviously didn't have the connection to Bjørnson that Nordraak did. So we can only speculate what the more famous Grieg would have done with the material.
I hate our National Anthem, God Save the Queen. I would much rather it be Rule Brittania or Land of Hope and Glory or even that Elgar piece Nimrod with some cool lyrics added. Or get John Williams to write a brilliant new one for us
"America the Beautiful" has an interesting origin, written as it was by two people who didn't know about each other. The tune was intended as a hymn tune, and the words were intended as a non-musical poem -- similar, in a way, to how Francis Scott Key penned words to a pre-existing British drinking song. "Wars not make one great," as someone wise once said, so I prefer "America the Beautiful."
Or get John Williams to write a brilliant new one for us
Yep, if he's still around and working after we get all the papers signed, I'd ask him to do it. And pay him handsomely out of our new National Treasury.
I hate our National Anthem, God Save the Queen. I would much rather it be Rule Brittania or Land of Hope and Glory or even that Elgar piece Nimrod with some cool lyrics added. Or get John Williams to write a brilliant new one for us
Rule, Brittania? That chestnut about the old empire's power at sea and keeping those nasty foreigners in their place?
I'd have thought Jerusalem would be the best choice, the cricket team use that before test games.
I'm not keen on anthems or "patriotism" that much. I can't help but think that borders are artificial and we're all just people who happen to live somewhere.
Me neither Thomas, but I'm mainly talking about the tune or melody. Apart from having no regard for kings and queens of any type, finding it almost unbelievable, in this day and age, that we still have a pampered family on the biggest benefits package of them all, the dirge like melody makes me wanna vom. At least Rule Brittannia has a decent tune. Maybe Elmer's Great Escape theme should be co-opted, especially in light of current events!
A republican, are you, Kev? I'm very much proud of our monarchy, and I think most Norwegians are. The discontent seems more widespread in the UK.
Of course, the King (or our royal family) has his own song that is not the national anthem. Simply called "The King's Song" in Norwegian, it uses the same melody as the British "God Save the King". The ties to the British monarchy is strong, of course, our King Harald V being the second cousin of Queen Elizabeth.
"America the Beautiful" has an interesting origin, written as it was by two people who didn't know about each other. The tune was intended as a hymn tune, and the words were intended as a non-musical poem -- similar, in a way, to how Francis Scott Key penned words to a pre-existing British drinking song. "Wars not make one great," as someone wise once said, so I prefer "America the Beautiful."
A republican, are you, Kev? I'm very much proud of our monarchy, and I think most Norwegians are. The discontent seems more widespread in the UK.
Yes but aren't the royal families in countries like Norway and Holland more of a figurehead, bicycling monarchy in that they aren't heads of state and they don't have hundreds of hangers on down the bloodline costing their countries a fortune?
Because of how kind of stately and patriotic the Enterprise B music from "Star Trek: Generations" sounds -- and because I'm the only one would do this -- I'd pick Dennis McCarthy.
Because of how kind of stately and patriotic the Enterprise B music from "Star Trek: Generations" sounds -- and because I'm the only one would do this -- I'd pick Dennis McCarthy.
Thor and Friends: I invite you to hold your discussion in another thread, please.
Will do. I've long wanted to do a thread on favourite national anthems (outside one's own) and the context/composers surrounding them, which is a topic that has always fascinated me. In fact, I think I may have done one at some point (alas, the search engine is not working at the present time).
