Valdres - BH6101686 | Music

Johannes Hanssen (1874 -1967) was one of Norway's most active and influential bandmasters, composers, and teachers during the first forty years of the 20th century. He was born in Ullensaker, a small town near Oslo, and played in a military band in Oslo as a young boy. He was bandmaster of the Oslo Military Band from 1926 to 1934 and again from 1945 to 1946. Hanssen received many honors in his lifetime, including the King's Order of Merit in Gold and King Haakon VIII's Jubilee Medal.

Valdres - Norwegian March

The title has both geographic and musical connotations. Valdres is a beautiful region in Norway between Oslo and Bergen. The first three measures contain the old signature fanfare for the Valdres Battalion, which is based on an ancient melody formerly played on the lur (a straight wooden “trumpet”). Other melodies derive from a Hardanger fiddle tune and a pentatonic folk tune, above a typical Norwegian drone bass. It was first performed in 1904 by the band of the second regiment of Norway, with the composer playing the baritone horn himself.