Episode 3
Donald Macleod investigates Ole Bull's failed ambition to establish his own Norwegian colony in America, as well as unfortunate incidents on his tours of the country.
One ambition eclipsed even Bull's pretensions to be the world's greatest violin virtuoso: a burning desire to set up his own Norwegian colony in the US. Donald Macleod charts the precipitous rise and fall of the scheme with the help of Bull's biographer Harald Herresthal, and follows the composer as his American tours see him caught up in a fire aboard a steamer and brawling with locals over a glass of whisky.
Last on
More episodes
Music Played
![]()
Nordraak orch Halvorsen
National Anthem (excerpt)
Performer: Oslo Philharmonic Chorus, Stefan Skold (conductor)
- EMI 1375532.
- 17.
![]()
Ole Bull
I ensomme Stunde
Performer: Annar Follesø (violin), Norwegian Radio Orchestra, Ole Kristian Ruud (conductor)
- 2L 067-SABD.
- 8.
![]()
Ole Bull
Sigrid's Sang from 'Fjeldstuen' (1850)
Performer: Arve Tellefsen (violin), Håvard Gimse (piano)
- SIMAX PSC 1261.
- 12.
![]()
Ole Bull
March from "In memory of Washington" (1845)
Performer: Kristiansand Blaseensemble, Bjron Sagstad (conductor)
- SL31SACD.
- 12.
![]()
Thomas Tellefsen
Thomas Tellefsen - Mazurkas Op.3 no.3 and Op. 1 no.4
Performer: Einar Henning Smebye (piano)
![]()
Thomas Tellefsen
Trio for piano, violin and cello Op.31
Performer: Einar Steen-Nøkleberg (piano), Atle Sponberg (violin), Øystein Birkeland (cello)
- SIMAX PSC1226.
- 8 to 11.
Broadcasts
- Wed 15 Sep 201012:00BBC Radio 3
- Wed 15 Sep 201022:00BBC Radio 3
Beethoven Unleashed – the box set
The complete set of Radio 3 Beethoven Unleashed podcasts, with Donald Macleod.
What was really wrong with Beethoven?
Georgia Mann and neurosurgeon Henry Marsh examine the composer's numerous health problems
Composers A to Z
Visit the extensive audio archive of Radio 3 programmes about Composers and their works.
Who knew? Five eye-opening stories from Composer of the Week
The production team reflects on 5 of Donald Macleod’s best stories from the last 20 years
Five reasons why we love Parry's Jerusalem
What is the strange power of Jerusalem which makes strong men weep?
A man out of time – why Parry's music and ideas were at odds with his image...
The composer of Jerusalem was very far from the conservative figure his image suggests.
Composer Help Page
Find resources and contacts for composers from within the classical music industry.
