Although Norway is a small country of only 4.7 million people, we have managed to produce some great musicians over the years, some even reaching a level of worldwide popularity. One is Edvard Grieg, Norway's best-known composer. If you like classical music, I highly recommend his music. If you don't, I still highly recommend his music.
Another is Sissel, who you most likely have heard sing even though you don't know it; she participated on the "Titanic" soundtrack. She's the one oooing and aaahing through out the whole album.
And of course I have to mention the group A-ha from the fabulous 80s. Remember "Take On Me", ripped jeans and those leather wristbands? There was a lot of oooing and aaahing involved with them as well. Not on their albums, of course, I was thinking more in the direction of the female album listeners.
Today I'm going to introduce you to one of my absolute favorite Norwegian song writers. His name is Rolf Løvland. The name may not sound familiar to you at all, but I don't think there is a person in the whole wide world who has not heard "You Raise Me Up" sung by Josh Groban. Well, Rolf Løvland wrote that song, and it has been recorded by more than a hundred different artists.
In 1994 he and Irish violinist Fionnuala Sherry founded a duo they named "Secret Garden", playing New Instrumental Music, also known by some as Neo-classical music. If this is greek to you, just trust me when I say it is beautiful music. Last year they released an album called "Inside I'm singing" presenting an amazing circle of different artists who perform different songs of "Secret Garden". (Barbara Streisand and Elaine Page may be familiar names....) I think it is a fantastic album, and I have already sent a copy of it to my in-laws. I've coordinated with Santa to make sure it is in someone's Christmas stocking this year, too.
One of the songs on this album, "Sometimes A Prayer Will Do", has become one of my all time favorites. It is sung by the amazing British singer Tracey Campbell. Music has always been an important part of my life, and it gives me so much. This song is no exception, it gave me a lot of comfort during some challenging times. I wanted to share it with you because it is absolutely beautiful. Enjoy!
1 comment:
Beautiful! Thanks for sharing.
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