Emil Norlander

Emil Norlander (1865 – 1935) was a Swedish journalist, author and producer. Originally a dentist, by the late 1890s he was working as a columnist on a Stockholm newspaper. He also contributed to the humor magazine Nya Nisse, eventually becoming its chief editor. He later edited the humor magazine Kasper.[1]

He wrote more than twenty books, the most famous being Anderssonskans Kalle (Anderson's Charlie), the tale of a mischievous boy in turn-of-the-century Stockholm.[2]

Starting in 1899, Norlander wrote and produced over sixty revues as well as many popular comedies. His most famous revue was Den förgyllda lergöken (The gilded toy ocarina). He wrote the lyrics for many comic songs, including Fia Jansson and Amanda Lundbom. His New Year's variety shows were held at Södra Teatern, one of Stockholm's most prestigious venues.

After 1920 Norlander's popularity waned as the Swedish public embraced a new generation of entertainers. His last big hit was Den gula paviljongen in 1923.[3] When the "Revue King" finally retired, he was succeeded by Karl Gerhard and Ernst Rolf.[1]

During his lengthy career Norlander wrote the lyrics for hundreds of songs, collaborating with Kal Dompan, David Hellström, Arthur Högstedt, John Redland, Max Uyma and other Swedish composers. For some of his songs he borrowed well-known melodies from abroad: Fredssång (Silver Threads Among the Gold), Lycklige John (Lucky Jim) and Kärlek På Italienska Och Svenska (Santa Lucia).[4]

In a more serious vein Norlander wrote the lyrics to Fredssång (Peace Song), which begins with the lines: Varför skola mänskor strida, varför skall det flyta blod. (Why should people fight, why should blood flow.)[5] This song, written at the time of the First World War, has been recorded numerous times and published in a variety of songbooks. The singer Sven-Bertil Taube released a memorable version of the song in 1972.

In the 1910s and 1920s Emil Norlander was introduced to Swedish-American audiences through recordings on the Columbia, Edison and Victor labels. Among those recording his songs in America were Ingeborg Laudon, Bert Leman, Gösta Nyström, Elis Olson-Ellis, Hjalmar Peterson, Calle Sjöquist and Charles G. Widdén.[6]

Selected revues by Emil Norlander

References

  1. ^ a b "Emil Norlander, Stockholms revykung". sverigesradio.se. Retrieved: October 8, 2011.
  2. ^ Anderssonskans Kalle by Emil Norlander, (Stockholm: Gullberg & Hallberg, 1901).
  3. ^ Emil Norlander och hans visor; en skildring by Björn Hodell, (Stockholm: Svenska visförlaget, 1949).
  4. ^ 280 Samlade sånger, schlager, slagdängor med musik by Emil Norlander, (Stockholm: Elkan & Schildknecht, 1930).
  5. ^ Hundra svenska skillingtryck och kupletter collected by Stephanie and Christer Topelius, (Stockholm: Tidens förlag, 1991).
  6. ^ Ethnic Music on Records: A Discography of Ethnic Recordings Produced in the United States, 1893-1942 by Richard K. Spottswood, (University of Illinois Press, 1990) LCCN 89-020526. Volume 5.

External links

Project Runeberg

Swedish lyrics

PDF file

Mp3 files and streaming audio