Composer. He is best known as the composer of the Norwegian National Anthem (1864). Born in Christiania (Oslo), he was a cousin of author Bjørnstjerne Bjørnson and close friend of composer Edvard Grieg, who he had met in Copenhagen while attending business school. His musical interests, which had become evident at an early age, prevailed and he switched from business courses to studying music in Berlin and Oslo. His first compositions came during the winter of 1859 - 1860. In May 1865 he returned to Berlin to continue his education, but was stricken with tuberculosis in October and died the following March, at only 23 years old. Grieg, who had become deeply affected by Nordraak's passionate patriotism and great love of folk music, dedicated several of his later works to him. When Grieg heard of his death, he composed the famous "Funeral March in Memory of Rikard Nordraak". About forty of his compositions have been preserved, mostly songs, pieces for male choir and a few piano compositions, the largest being the Scherzo Capriccio for piano, published posthumously by Grieg. Originally buried in Berlin, Nordraak's remains were shipped to his homeland 59 years later and now rest at the Honour Cemetery at Vår Frelsers Gravlund, Oslo. His original headstone still stands at the cemetery in Kreuzberg, Berlin. A statue of him by Gustav Vigeland was erected in Oslo 1911.
Composer. He is best known as the composer of the Norwegian National Anthem (1864). Born in Christiania (Oslo), he was a cousin of author Bjørnstjerne Bjørnson and close friend of composer Edvard Grieg, who he had met in Copenhagen while attending business school. His musical interests, which had become evident at an early age, prevailed and he switched from business courses to studying music in Berlin and Oslo. His first compositions came during the winter of 1859 - 1860. In May 1865 he returned to Berlin to continue his education, but was stricken with tuberculosis in October and died the following March, at only 23 years old. Grieg, who had become deeply affected by Nordraak's passionate patriotism and great love of folk music, dedicated several of his later works to him. When Grieg heard of his death, he composed the famous "Funeral March in Memory of Rikard Nordraak". About forty of his compositions have been preserved, mostly songs, pieces for male choir and a few piano compositions, the largest being the Scherzo Capriccio for piano, published posthumously by Grieg. Originally buried in Berlin, Nordraak's remains were shipped to his homeland 59 years later and now rest at the Honour Cemetery at Vår Frelsers Gravlund, Oslo. His original headstone still stands at the cemetery in Kreuzberg, Berlin. A statue of him by Gustav Vigeland was erected in Oslo 1911.
Bio by: Just Like Birds
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