# Rikard Nordraak

> Norwegian composer (1842–1866)

**Wikidata**: [Q366629](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q366629)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rikard_Nordraak)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/rikard-nordraak

## Summary
Rikard Nordraak was a Norwegian composer known for composing the music to Norway's national anthem, "Ja, vi elsker dette landet," and for his significant contributions to Norwegian national music identity during his short life.

## Biography
- Born: [Date: 1842] (Place not specified in source material)
- Nationality: Norway
- Education: [Not specified in source material]
- Known for: Composing the music to Norway's national anthem, "Ja, vi elsker dette landet"
- Employer(s): [Not specified in source material]
- Field(s): Music Composition (specifically related to Norwegian national identity)

## Contributions
Rikard Nordraak's most significant contribution is composing the music to Norway's national anthem, "Ja, vi elsker dette landet," first performed in 1864. His work directly provided the musical foundation for a core symbol of Norwegian national identity during the era of the Union between Sweden and Norway and the subsequent dissolution leading to full independence in 1905.

## FAQs
**What is Rikard Nordraak's most famous work?**  
Nordraak is most famous for composing the music to Norway's national anthem, "Ja, vi elsker dette landet," which became a central expression of Norwegian national identity.

**How did Nordraak contribute to Norway's national identity?**  
Through his composition of the national anthem's music, Nordraak provided a powerful musical symbol that fostered a distinct sense of Norwegian national culture and independence.

**What was the historical context of Nordraak's work?****  
Nordraak composed the national anthem music during the period when Norway was in a political union with Sweden (established 1814, dissolved 1905), a time when cultivating distinct national symbols was crucial.

**When was Nordraak active professionally?****  
Nordraak was professionally active as a composer during the 1860s, preceding his death in 1866 at a young age.

## Why They Matter
Rikard Nordraak matters profoundly because his musical composition for the national anthem became an enduring and defining element of Norwegian national identity. His work provided a unifying and emotive symbol during the critical period of Norway's struggle for cultural and eventually political independence from Sweden. Without his contribution, the musical voice expressing Norway's love for its land would be fundamentally different, directly impacting the nation's cultural heritage and national consciousness.

## Notable For
- Composing the music for Norway's national anthem, "Ja, vi elsker dette landet" (1864).
- Being a key figure in establishing a distinct Norwegian national musical identity in the 19th century.
- His brief but impactful career as a composer, dying at age 24 in 1866.

## Body
### Early Life and Career
Rikard Nordraak was born in 1842 in Norway. Details regarding his birthplace and specific early musical education are not provided in the source material. He established himself as a composer, identified by the core entity of "composer," and was a member of the species *Homo sapiens*. His career coincided with the political reality of Norway being in a "Union between Sweden and Norway," an entity explicitly referenced in the data for Norway's inception date of 1814-05-17 and dissolution date of 1905-06-07.

### Major Works and Legacy
Nordraak's paramount contribution to Norwegian culture and history is the composition of the music for "Ja, vi elsker dette landet," the national anthem of Norway. This anthem (entity with sitelink count 75, linked to country Q20 - Norway) is a foundational symbol of the nation. The music was first performed in 1864. Nordraak's work directly served to articulate and strengthen Norwegian national identity during a period when the union with Sweden was still in effect, significantly contributing to the cultural groundwork that supported Norway's eventual full independence achieved in 1905. His death in 1866 occurred at a young age, yet his single most famous work achieved lasting national significance. While described as a "Norwegian composer (1842–1866)," the provided source material specifically highlights his anthem as his defining legacy. His sitelink count of 31 reflects the presence of his information primarily within the context of this national anthem contribution and Norwegian music history.

## References

1. Great Soviet Encyclopedia (1969–1978)
2. Virtual International Authority File
3. BnF authorities
4. Find a Grave
5. International Standard Name Identifier
6. MusicBrainz
7. CiNii Research
8. IMDb
9. Encyclopædia Britannica Online
10. International Music Score Library Project
11. Discogs
12. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
13. Norwegian Authority File: Persons and Corporate Bodies
14. Virtual Study of Theatre Institute
15. Sceneweb