I Am So Glad; raised on Norway songs, hymns, love, history, music, radio, perhaps Norwegian American can select Top Ten
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How to choose?
A list of my top ten books growing up seems easy enough to list; my top ten musical choices is not as simple a task. But I have determined to do this, and so I will begin. Music so permeates my heart, my spirit, my world view... I hope you enjoy the results.
One: Solveig's Song by Edvard Grieg
Edvard Grieg might be the most well known of Norwegian composers. His melodic piano concertos and his Peer Gynt Suite bring to mind Norway's stunning landscapes where jagged mountains rise like killer whales from fjords below in stark contrast to the gentle farms of green that lie further inland. My grandparents were all of Norwegian descent and one of the most beautiful bits of music my mother introduced me to as a child was her mother's favorite, Solveig's Song.
Two: There's a Hole in the Bucket by Harry Belafonte
Harry Belafonte was a favorite of my father and so I loved him, too. We first learned this song at church family camp, out on one of Minnesota's 10,000 lakes. Back home, Dad would grin like Dick Van Dyke when we kids put the Hole in the Bucket record on our hi fi. He would sing with us, and swing his fists, elbows and arms like a choir director, parading around very silly. Sometimes he would grab mom and swing her into a dance in the living room.
Three: Freight Train by Elizabeth Cotton
Elizabeth Cotton wrote Freight Train, and Pete Seeger also sang it alive. But I remember learning this song because a guitarist namedTed McGill came to our church one evening when I was small and taught us not only the song, but the story of slavery, Elizabeth Cotton and how she invented a guitar style known as "Cotton Picking". We sat in the gym, that was our church before the new Sanctuary was built. The folding chairs were uncomfortable, but I didn't care. Ted McGill won my heart, as did his song.
Four: Ceremony of Carols by Benjamin Britten
When I was in the latter elementary school years, the choirs at my church under the direction of our dear director and composer Ronald Nelson performed this children's cantata by Benjamin Britten. It was thrilling to sing inside our Sanctuary, built specifically for music. This was a family affair: my parents were both in the adult choir and my siblings were in youth choirs. I was so very proud the day my brother was chosen to sing the high boy's soprano solo. I believe I was as nervous as he the day he performed it... without flaw.
Five: Sounds of Silence by Simon and Garfunkel
SImon and Garfunkel were playing this song as my family moved to Bad Homburg v.d.Hohe in Deutschland when I was twelve. I thought it was profound and beautiful and I wanted to own a little 45 record of it. My allowance was 50cents per week and I also babysat. Once I had enough money, I cycled into Bad Homburg with my mother and siblings. There I found a small record shop in a cobblestone square. I bought the record and my mother bought a pottery pitcher from a street vendor. On the way home, I stopped abruptly for some unremembered reason and my mother slammed on her brakes behind me, causing the pottery pot to smash into her leg. I was blamed for her varicose veins after that. The song, all about loving each other, became somewhat of a metaphor for my finding love inspire of my failures as a person.
Six: Somewhere by Dave Brubeck
In my box of memories, I have one album from my teenaged romantic youth and that is Bernstein Plays Brubeck Plays Bernstein. I loved this 33 lp and could not bear to get rid of it, though I have no record player anymore and if I did, this mono recording would most likely skip and be unsatisfactory. However, the music is part of me and I am thrilled to find it at YouTube!
Seven: And God Created Whales by Alan Hovhaness
My high school orchestra played several pieces by Alan Hovhaness, including the viola featured Talin Symphony and The Prayer of St. Gregory. Because Hovhaness wrote for viola, which I played, I began to search for other pieces he had written and was astounded to discover the album, Mysterious Mountain and God Created Great Whales. I had never heard anything like this before and it changed my perception of what music could be.
Eight: Piano Man by Billy Joel
Freshman year in college, my roommate Big Jan and I used to escape the frigid cold winds coming off the plains of North Dakota by racing to a cozy nook that supported a juke box. We would select Billy Joel's Piano Man and literally rock in our chairs, back and forth, while laughing at each other. Half the time my roomie had her hair in a bandana, with pincurls poking out. We were earth mamas and didn't care how we looked in these moments. That was the year of innocence, when we delighted in hanging chocolate cartons of milk outside our window, which within hours became chocolate frozen frosties. We donated blood to earn money, bought long raccoon coats from the Goodwill for $25 each, and prayed that none of the guys we knew and loved would get drafted and sent to Vietnam.
Nine: Perhaps Love by John Denver
Perhaps Love combined a thoughtful sentiment with two brilliant singers I greatly admired: John Denver and Placido Domingo. John Denver inspired many to head west toward Denver, home of his Rocky Mountain High. I miss him so much- his environmental stance and his inspired concerts performed at Red Rocks.
Once my friend Kathy and I went to Red Rocks with an ice making machine and stirred the pot while holding seats for friends. At that time this outdoor venue, surrounded by rocks red from iron oxide, had a seating policy of first come first serve. We had many such good times at John Denver concerts where this sweet man often introduced songs to the public for the first time.
Rutter's Requiem, sung in memory of my father at Westwood Lutheran Church in Saint Louis Park, 1990
Ten: Requiem by John Rutter
John Rutter composed his beautiful Requiem in 1985, the same year I married my husband Jack. Three years later in 1988, my father died of what was called something like a cerebral hemorrhage, while dancing with my mother at an event hosted by their dance club. My father had been a member of the Westwood Lutheran Church choir for probably 30 years, and of the 800 or so mourners who attended his funeral, many donated money to the choir in his name. Our Director, Ronald Nelson purchased Rutter's Requiem and the piece was performed a few years later, dedicated to my father. My sister and brother and their families sat with mine while this piece was performed and yes, it was incredibly emotional, but we knew Dad was smiling down at all of us as his choir friends and my mother lifted their voices in praise. And that was the moment I grew up.
The accoustics of my home church
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Well, I do what I can to make people laugh and smile. Loss of parents can be difficult. I just commemorated my dad's passing on December 4th. Time marches on. double ((HUG)) like ice-cream eaten slowly with a spoon. Debby
Debby, thank you for bringing me back to this site. Listening to Rutter makes me so lonesome for my Dad. Especially at this time of year. It has been a tough one and his hugs were unmatched.
Please make sure I know you have published. I am going to be pretty busy moving my daughter out for the next two days.
I must say, Debby, just seeing your name in my inbox always lifts my spirits. I value you and your work so very, very much. Thank you for being in the world.
Thank you dear Soul Sister ~ I loved playing Solveig's Song by Edvard Grieg on the flute in my younger years. Thank you for sharing such excellent musical pieces for our enjoyment. I'm almost ready with a new story for you. Love, Debby
Tony, I too would have loved to hear the Westwood Choir sing. They attract visitors from all over Minnesota and the Region due to their amazing quality. Thank you as always for reading with such detail.
maven101, I am sorry it took me so long to respond. Our Baba passed away and I have been distracted. ABBA is not Norwegian, lol. I was raised to have a distrust of anything Swedish, hahahaha. Yes, I do know their music and loved to dance to Dancing Queen back in my single days... But they do not make the list. Sorry!!!!
Brubeck and the two pieces you mentioned are AMAZING. I have been in love with him for 40 plus years. I totally agree with you. Thanks!!!!
Wonderful music selections...very eclectic...although I am baffled why a good Norwegian girl didn't include ABBA somewhere on your list ( Fernando, Dancing Queen, etc..)..
Brubeck's progressive jazz transformed the jazz scene from one of exclusivity and limited aficionados to one of general acceptance and appreciation by the general public...His " Take Five " and " Blue Rondo a la Turk " were breakout sets that brought jazz into the light of the public day....Thanks for this most entertaining Hub, both written and visual...a real treat...Larry
I really enjoyed this Hub, Story. I love your selections. The Hovhaness I am particularly grateful for. I have only recently discovered his music and find it most amazing.
The Westwood vid was also great - reminded me of some parishes I have been involved in. One complaint (not really!) - having been involved in litrugical music for so many years I would have loved to have heard a bit more from Westwood of their music. The groups looked so interesting.
Anyway thanks for sharing this whole Hub.
Love and peace
Tony
Thanks for listening, dianacharles!
This was a real treat. I just love the oldie goldies.I am a big Harry B fan and knew all his numbers on his double album of his Carnegie Hall concert by heart.Simon and Garfunkel and Billy Joel are also big time faves. Thanks Jas for sending me this link.
Don, thanks for the feedback! Somehow I received it three times, but it was fun to read over and over again. Such is my ego...
Wow! I'm late getting to this hub, but I loved it. I've lived in Minnesota and love all of the Lutheran Norwegians and I might say, every piece of music you specialed in your videos were my favorites, too. I lived in Finland for 2 1/2 years and my wife's heritage is from Denmark. One of my best friends at the University of Utah was of concentrated Norway descent. You are a very special person. Keep up the great work. Don White
Ooh, here is a fun Vienna Boys Choir video made for The European Football Championship that reminds me of the movie, Almost Angels, lol...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YiOXC-vLXZ4
And another of our favorite songs, Edelweiss... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ixS0R1-4i2I
And "Wiener Blut"- how can you beat the Vienna Boys Choir singing Strauss? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZcOkRwnCUwc
Craig, you do know how to distract me, lol!
coffeesnob, this story sounds like a memory keeper for you and your daughter! That is awesome. What a silly and happy song it is.
elizabeth, I was impressed with your observation and you got me curious, so we both learned something new. You have a great ear! Thank YOU!
Oh dear, I will check again! Here is another. I didn't listen to that entire first piece, haha. They looked little, maybe they were a younger group. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CZQWwoAvTYY
I watched the video of the boys choir you linked above. I don't believe that these are the Vienna Boys Choir. They are labeled as Mozart Boys Choir, and noticing that towards the end of the piece relieved my disappointment in their quality and training. The real Vienna Boys, I believe, would have drawn you right in to the song in a sweet relaxed manner, instead of the slight edginess of this piece, where I find myself waiting for someone to flat a high note.
I hope I am right.
Well Jan, I was wrong, here is that little Norwegian song, "I am so glad each Christmas Eve". Of course, Mom made all the little red felt hats and vests the choir girls wore over our white blouses and black skirts. (By the way, did you see her in the Westwood video above? A very brief cameo of her profile, while drinking coffee...)
The infamous Sissel sings here... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bSosUVrgB3c
Just thought of another huge musical influence on me from the Westwood Lutheran Church experience...that being the Widor Tocatta and Fugue in D minor, as played by the incredible organist Steven Wescott on the circa 1960 pipe organ. I tried playing it on my daughters $50 keyboard a few years back, but it just wasn't the same.
I just spent the last hour viewing videos of the Vienna Choir Boys singing Johann Strauss' "On the Blue Danube", and "Weiner Blut". Stunningly good voices singing one of the all time great composer's masterpieces. These certainly were a huge influence on me as a 14 year old living in Deutschland with my 2 little sisters...both of whom waited patiently outside of the rear entrance of the Vienna concert hall in order to "touch" an actual Choirboy!! Their patience was rewarded, it seems, and they reappeared all starry eyed with tongues hanging out and saying "OH!" a lot.
I still play this album from 1965 sometimes, and it just gives me chills!
Jog any memories, Story? Shrimp?
storyteller, thanks so much for including that John Prine story for me, I am honored...
One is that I remember singing there's a hole in my bucket with my daughter on countless road trips -we'd each have our parts and sing our way into the next state.
just saw this hub ...Rutters Requiem brings back so many emotions... and I love the Ceremony of Carols. I still sing along. I was not a fan of Solveig's Song, probably because I had to sing it in voice lessons forever!! John Denver, I loved... But, if you're talking my Norwegian musical memories, how can you forget "I am so glad." I still picture you in your Norwegian vest singing with the children's choir on Christmas Eve!! ... the lights down low on a Westwood Christmas Eve with the snow gently falling outside the long clear windows... such a simple, but perfect childhood memory.
What a challenge. You'll have to give me some time to think on my list!
MM, I did have ONE hymn that I nearly included- well, two actually. But my favorite, "Here I am, Lord" didn't come out until I was an adult. The other, "Lo, how a rose e're blooming" is significant because I worked for Augsburg Publishing when the green hymnal was being created and I refused to edit this hymn as instructed. The brilliant experts insisted I change the words to, "Look, see, a rose is growing." I thought this destroyed the integrity of the piece and wouldn't do it. So, they fired me!!!
Not exactly what I expected -- I thought I'd be delving into your top 10 Lutheran HYMNS! But this was totally delightful. You paint a vivid picture of your early family life that brings the music alive. Beautiful. MM
elisabethkcmo, you are very very astute. I am going to fill up this site with a quote from John Prine... "Yeah, my bro — my brother David taught himself how to play the banjo and the mandolin and ukulele. We had a neighbor who had a ukulele who gave it to me. And all I did with it was put a strap on it and stand in front of the mirror and try and look like Elvis [Laughter] with a ukulele on you. And my brother actually took the ukulele. He borrowed it and took it away to college with him and learned a few chords on it. And he transferred those chords to the guitar. And one night, I walked in the kitchen, and he was playing the guitar for — for our father. I just couldn't believe it that one of my brothers could actually play music, you know? It just — I couldn't get over it. So, he saw that I was really in awe of it, and he taught me three chords and gave me a Carter Family record and an Elizabeth Cotten record so I could learn how to fingerpick. And, uh, between those two records, the Carter Family and Elizabeth Cotten, I taught myself. [Laughs] I don't think I've advanced any more on the guitar [Laughter] since, you know? But it was such a wonder to me that I could sit in a room alone and make a — make a sound, make — on a guitar that it's always amazed me, so I never wanted to get into anything too complicated."
thanks so much for sharing some of your musical history with us. I especially enjoyed the Elisabeth Cotton piece, never heard of her before, but hearing her guitar style, it brings to mind John Prine, wonder if he was influenced by her.
great hub, storyteller!
Jaspal, I have no idea why hubpages wouldn't send you an alert. This is not good news!
Hi-Jinks, I get the feeling you are working to inspire me towards writing a novel, lol. Thanks for the confidence.
judydianne, makes me smile, knowing I entertained you.
I love your stories as well as the music. Great hub!
Nice collection. I have some of these on LP. Check out Crosby and Nash's 'Wind on the Water.'
Have you ever thought about taking the music you love and having that inspire you on a novel?
How and why did HubPages not inform me of this hub being published? I was waiting for it!! Among others, Harry Bellafonte, Simon and Garfunkel and Jim Reeves were and still are my favorites too. The story about Rutter's Requiem is so touching.
Now I need to sit down peacefully and listen to all of your choices... :)
We seem to lose so many musicians from small plane crashes!?! John Denver also died in plane he was piloting. There's even a web site listing them... http://elvispelvis.com/airplanecrash.htm
Gentleman Jim, they called him. Unfortunately he died young, in a plane crash while only in his 40s. His voice is timeless...I wish you many moments of joy discovering his fabulous voice. :)
Feline, I am unfamiliar with Jim Reeves. I am going to look him up immediately! Thanks for suggesting him... OH, I know this song! What a rich voice this man has! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ztHcGoSS_vA
I love nostalgic trips like this! Harry Belafonte was one of my dad's favourite singers too, along with Jim Reeves. I grew up to the sound of Belafonte's Banana Boat Song, among others, playing endlessly on little 45 rpm records! That was a different time indeed. :)
And thanks for posting that John Denver-Placido Domingo song - what a treat!
Blake, I read that Cotton taught herself to play guitar and so she developed what she thought was the appropriate way. I love that you figured this out from simply watching. You really know what you are doing in this realm and I admire this very much! I am impressed that you still have a record player. My brother above is a stereo afficionado as well. I am one of those who could hear a group of kindergartners sing one of my favorite pieces and I'd hear it ethereal, lol. Thank you so much for reading this hub. I have missed your comments.
Goldistring, I'll bet there wasn't a dry eye in the house once that song began. I can imagine it... wow. Brave and beautiful. Thanks for sharing this!
coffeesnob, Which songs, which memories? How fun. I am glad to introduce you to some and to bring back what I hope are fond memories with others!
I have enjoyed so much the Top Ten hubs of others that I decided it would be challenging to find my own Top Ten. It was a lot more time consuming and difficult than I thought and I have a new appreciation for the process! But all these great comments make it worth my while! Thanks guys!
Storytellersrus
What a wonderful hub. so many songs here that bring back some memories for me as well. Also thanks for introducing me to music I had not heard before. I have never been an opera fan and have just recently begun to acquire a taste for it. Just beautiful here! thanks
Lover of music here. Perhaps Love was a song my cousin sang as a wedding gift to her husband on their wedding day. She sang it at the reception - hired a 4 string-section orchestra! It was a surprise gift - made her husband teary-eyed. Thanks for your hub.
I found it interesting that Elizabeth Cotton was playing a right handed guitar, upside down, left handed. She looks to predate Hendrix, who also did this, so maybe you were cooler than you think. I enjoyed the introduction to her guitar playing and writing. I love the realness of her voice.
Billy Joel is one of my favorite songwriters, and Dave Brubeck is my favorite Jazz. I got to see him live before I even knew who he was when I was 16. By the way, you can easily find Brubeck records here in Indy. I have about 7. I play them on my record player sometimes. The crackle and hiss go well with his piano and Desmond's sax.
I think you can tell a lot about someone by their music, evidenced in this hub.
Jill, Thanks so much. I like knowing that we share three songs anyway. I guess mine are shaped by participation... singing or playing them especially.
Craig, I would guess you have some Beatles considering your fascination with them, and some Crosby Stills Nash and Young and even maybe Moody Blues? I look forward to reading your list!
What a lovely hub! I love music too. Although we don't exactly have the same favorites, I do appreciate your choices and enjoyed listening to them. We also have some similar choices like "Somewhere", "Sound of Silence" and "Perhaps Love".
Thanks for sharing!
Oh, and your daughter is lovely!
Wow! This one really got my attention...Music runs hard in our family!
It is said that emotions set our long term memory. Your emotional reaction to these songs seems to be the catalyst for a bunch of songs that I have very little memory of.
My list would be different, obviously, but it certainly struck me that some of the great songs you chose would not even be a blip on my radar...even though I lived them same as you. Funny.
I'll have to give this some serious thought, especially since these songs are well beyond the standard "What are your favorite rock era songs?"
I'd be interested in other's top songs towards that end.
Storyteller's brother, Craig
I KNOW, lbtrader, I was a complete DORK! Well, I liked The Wall and Woodstock and all that, but when I think of music from my youth that stuck, well, I was a complete dork. Seriously. Probably still am, lol.
This is nice...Any of those i would listen to today. The whale one i could listen to all day.
I take from this that Zappa, Hendrix, or Floyd didn't cast their spells into your youthful psyche development....lol
Storytellersrus Hub Author 5 months ago
Debby, we never forget them do we. Hugs back at you.
Ice cream? I will order licorice- flavored, yum!
Thank you.