Scandinavian American. [volume] (Seattle, Wash.) 1945-1958, 1950-11-09
Norway
Who's Who In Norway
Fridtjof Nansen (continued)

Nansen took part in the nego-
tiations with Sweden over the SOW
ereignty of Norway in 1905, and
was subsequently appointed the
first Norwegian ambassador to
Great Britain. In later years Nam
sens name is mainly associated
with humanitarian work in Eu-
rope, particularly for prisoners of
war and other war victims after
the first World War. 1888 he re-
ceived the Nobel Peace Prize, ana
international institutions still bear
his name (Nansen-office, Nansen-
paSSportS).
NORDRAAk. Rikard. b. 1912, i.
1866. Studied piano and compost
ton in Copenhagen and Berlin. He
was the first Norwegian composer
who advocated staunch national
ism in music, and he therefore
strongly opposed the German and
'Nordic" music. His point of view
in this matter was of decisive i'm
portance to his friend and contem-
orary Grieg. Nordraak died at an
early age, and so did not have
time to carry out his ideas, but his
compositions are, both rhythmical-
~ and melodically, Of stronger
national tone than those of earlier
Norwegian composers. The man
and best part of Nordraak's COM
positions are written to the words
Of his cousin Bjornstjerne Born
son, e. g. the melody of ia. vi
elsller dette landet". the Norwe-
gian national anthem - incidental
music for Maria Stuart" and Sig
urd Slembe," 1.-TWO of Bjornson's
Plays. Well known are also his
choir composition "Olav Trygva-
son" and a series of romances.
RUUD, Birser Johannes, b. IS
S1911, the greatest ski-jumper the
world has ever seen. One of 5
brothers, 5 OF whom have been
world champion skiers. His most
nota BILE triumphs are two gold
medals 1882 and So and one sill
yer medal (194S) in the Olympics.
The fact that he was able to fin
ish second among all the foremost
jumpers Of the world at the age of
Sc. Is perhaps the best proof Of
his exceptional ability In addition
TO his Olympic victories. he was
world champion 1e31-35-37, won
the Norwegian championship in
1889 and the famous Holnlenkollen
meet 1884. In hundreds Of starts
in Norway and abroad he won
almost as many first prizes, in
Guiding the L. 5. championship in
1855 In 1886 he won the Olympic
downhin competition, placing Attn
in the combined downhill-slalom.
Ruud holds the highest Norwegian
skiing award; the Holmenk0ll
medal He was imprisoned in the
Grim concentration camp near o.
so in 1884 for patriotic activi-
ties
SNENDSEN, Johan SEVERN. b.
1s40. d 1911, composer. Received
his musical training from his faith
er. bandmaster. and at frs,
adopted that profession himself
Then. playing several instruments,
he Joined the orchestra al the
Chrisuania Theatre. began extern
sive travels in Sweden and Ger
many IT 1861. and IN 1858 he fin
ished his studies az the Leipzig
Conservatory. Svendsen wanted TO
h@rn-.s 9 ---sc,aiIl III tuoso, out ow-
ing 70 q nervous ailment in his
lsft hand. ne turned more and
more towards composition While
~ the Conservatory he wrote
string quartet, string octet and
Symphony n D-najor. Svendsen
was recognized as one Of the most
accomplished conductors Of his
time and after visits TO Munich.
Rome London and Paris he De
came court conductor IN Copea-
harel- He mainly composed grea:
orchestral works. and is the first
creator Of Norwegian symphonies
HIS compositions are exceptionally
well formed and brilliantly instra-
men.ed lthe legend -.Zorahsyda
and the ov1- TO Shskespesre's 70
rneo and Juliet Other works Of
his are the symphony IN B-na9o-
U,r.T@-