With Norwegian gold, the Norwegian national anthem follows. The award ceremony is a highlight for both athletes and spectators, and Oberhof has become well known with “Yes, we love this country”. Or do they actually have it? – I stood and sang. Did he go a little slow this time, too? Yes, because I get out of step all the time. It’s not just me? Marte Olsbu Røiseland asks and laughs. – No, he goes very slowly, yes, adds Sturla Holm Lægreid. SIGERSVAND: Here are Sturla Holm Lægreid (from left), Johannes Thingnes Bø and Marte Olsbu Røiseland after the medal ceremony on Sunday. Photo: Javad Parsa / NTB Medan Røiseland brands itself as non-musical, hobby musician Lægreid has more control over the tones. – It goes so low that I can hit the highest notes. It is a German version. But, but, it works, that, says Lægreid and grins. He thinks it is okay that he goes slowly so that they can “rub in” the Norwegian dominance in Oberhof. Johannes Thingnes Bø is also satisfied with his own song performance. In any case, it has not been relevant to tell the organiser. – I don’t know if it’s a band playing late, or if it’s the wrong sound file. But perhaps news can put us on the case, so that we get a little “punch” again. We need it. There should be some speed in the national anthem, says Thingnes Bø. As said, so done. 3 OF 3: Johannes Thingnes Bø has already taken three WC golds out of three possible in Oberhof. Normal distance awaits on Tuesday. Photo: Javad Parsa / NTB – Shouldn’t be used Bjørnstjerne Bjørnson first wrote the lyrics to the Norwegian national anthem. A few years later, probably between 1863 and 1864, Rikard Nordraak composed the melody, according to Store Norske Leksikon. Eirik Os Simonsen is a music journalist at news Klassisk. He thinks the version in Oberhof is so different that he should be replaced. – Yes, that edition really shouldn’t be used. It has a completely different harmonization (different chords) than the way it is played in Norway. It is a very big break with the tradition of our national anthem, Simonsen believes. MUSIC JOURNALIST: Here is Eirik Os Simonsen together with Mari Lunnan and Marianne Siebke from news Klassisk. Photo: Ole Kaland / news Simonsen is most concerned with the chords – and not the tempo – in the edition. – The tempo of that version was a little slower than normal, without that being a major problem. The main problem is that the chords are completely outside the tradition, says Simonsen. Jørgen Karlstrøm is chairman of the Norwegian Composers Association. He listened to the event at the urging of news, and it didn’t take long before he heard the differences. Large interpretation room – Here, choices are made in the arrangement that are a little different from what you often hear. This especially applies to the bass voice, which makes some unusual movements. There are also a couple of chords that are different from what you usually hear, and definitely different from what Rikard Nordraak wrote in his arrangement. The pace is also somewhat lower than usual, says Karlstrøm. GOOD EAR: Chairman Jørgen Karlstrøm of the Norwegian Composers’ Association. Photo: Renate Madsen / NKF He points out that when you know something well, even relatively small changes can be perceived as quite big. – Are there any rules for how much one can change in a national anthem? – The national anthem is no longer protected by copyright since it is so old and has become joint property, and that gives greater freedom than copyright limits. Then we are more on cultural and ethical boundaries, and what kind of social conventions apply in a cultural common property. There is a large interpretation room. And it should be large for further use, and to be able to renew and preserve the cultural heritage we have. Karlstrøm himself thinks the German arrangement is completely fine inside with a slower tempo and some chord changes. He also points out that the original composition does not have enough tempo information. – I understand that people react when they are used to something else, but I don’t see the changes as radical. There are minor adjustments in terms of chords, voicing and tempo compared to what one is used to and what Nordraak himself wrote, says Karlstrøm. When news presents the expert assessments to the local organizing committee, they ask for another version and offer to change. news’s production management is now in contact with the WC organizer. Only time will tell if a different version of the national anthem will be played at the next Norwegian gold medal in Oberhof.
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