Song of Norway Reviews

Robert Wright and George Forrest, who adapted themes by Alexander Borodin for KISMET (1955), added English lyrics to Edvard Grieg's music for this biopic of the famed composer. Toralv Maurstad, a popular Norwegian actor, portrays Grieg from his post-conservatory poverty to his marriage to his cousin, Nina (Florence Henderson), causing a family scandal, and on to the success he must find in Rome before he is respected in his native Norway. Along the way, Therese Berg (Christina Schollin), a wealthy former classmate who loves Grieg, makes a deal with her father: if he will arrange a concert for Grieg in Stockholm, she will end her involvement with the young composer. Later, however, she aids Grieg in his quest for recognition in Rome, and her gift of a grand piano overshadows the sacrifice Nina has made to purchase a modest upright piano for her husband. Following the death of friend and fellow composer Rkark Nordraak (Frank Porretta), Grieg realizes his future lies back in his homeland with his wife, who has been living a bare bones existence in his absence, and with his search for music that is truly Norwegian. Shot on location at a cost of $4 million, SONG OF NORWAY makes the most of its magnificent landscapes, the most notable aspect of an otherwise lackluster effort. The London Symphony Orchestra performed the score based on Grieg's music (as adapted by Wright and Forrest) with John Ogden and Brenda Lucas, pianists, and violin soloist Manoug Parikian. Musical selections include "Strange Music" (performed by Maurstad), "The Song of Norway," "The Little House," "Be a Boy Again," "Three There Were" (performed by Porretta), "A Rhyme and a Reason," "Wrong to Dream," "I Love You," "The Solitary Wanderer" (performed by Henderson), "Hill of Dreams" (performed Porretta, Maurstad, Henderson), "Opening Concerto--The Life of the Wife of the Sailor," "Solvejg's Song--Norwegian National Anthem," "Betrothal Hymn," "Midsummer's Eve" (performed by Chorus), "A Welcome Toast" (performed by Secombe), "Freddie and His Fiddle" (performed by Chorus), "In the Hall of the Mountain King," "At Christmas Time," "Ribbons And Wrappings," "When We Wed," "John Heggerstrom."