Ole Bull

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Ole Borneman Bull (February 5, 1810 – August 17, 1880) was a Norwegian violinist, often called Norway's first international star.

A testament to his fame was his funeral procession, perhaps the most spectacular in Norway's history. The ship transporting his body was guided by 15 steamers and hundreds of smaller vessels (some claim as many as a thousand).

Early life

Bull was born in Bergen. His father wished him to be a minister, but he preferred a musical life. When four or five years old, he could play all the songs he heard his mother sing on the violin, and when nine, he played first violin in the Bergen Theatre orchestra, and was soloist with the Bergen Philharmonic Orchestra.

At 18, he was sent to the University of Christiania, but failed his examinations.

After living for a while in Germany where he pretended to study law, he went to Paris and fared badly for a year or two. 1832 in Paris he shared room with the moravian virtuoso violinist Heinrich Wilhelm Ernst who introduced Bull to the style of Paganini. He was eventually successful in giving concerts, became famous, and made a fortune.

He was caught up in the rising tide of romantic nationalism in Norway, and acclaimed the idea of Norway as a sovereign state, separate from its union with Sweden, an idea which later became a reality in 1905. This was one of the reasons for including variations on folk tunes in his concerts. He also was one of the main founders of the first theatre in which the actors spoke Norwegian, not Danish - Det Norske Theater in Bergen in 1850, which later became Den Nationale Scene.

In the summer of 1858, Bull met the 15-year-old Edvard Grieg. Bull was a friend of the Grieg family, as Bull's brother was married to Grieg's mother's sister. Bull noticed Edvard's talent and persuaded his parents to send him to further develop his talents at the Leipzig Conservatory.

In The U.S.

He visited the United States several times and played with great success. In 1853, he obtained a large tract of land in Pennsylvania and founded a colony, which was called New Norway. On May 24, 1853, he formally purchased for $10,388. The land consisted of four communities: New Bergen (now known as Carter Camp), Oleana (named for himself and his mother) six miles (10 km) south of New Bergen, New Norway one mile south of New Bergen, and close by, Valhalla. The high point of Valhalla Bull called Nordjenskald, which became the location of his unfinished castle. This venture was soon given up, as there was scarcely any land to till, and Bull went back to giving concerts.

Robert Schumann once wrote that Bull was among "the greatest of all," and that he was on a level with Niccolò Paganini for the speed and clarity of his playing. Bull was also a friend of Franz Liszt and played with him on several occasions.

Today

The village of Oleona, in Potter County, Pennsylvania, flourishes nestled in the mountains of northern PA at the intersection of PA routes 44 and 144 (Ole Bull Road). Although officially known as Oleona today, many maps of the area, and even the official roadside village boundary signs refer to it as Oleana. Ole Bull State Park in the Susquehannock State Forest is the original site chosen for Bull's colony. What is left of the unfinished Ole Bull Castle is frequently visited by hikers along a trail, on the side of a mountain with a beautiful view, and is maintained by the park.

In Mammoth Cave in Kentucky, there is a room called Ole Bull's Concert Hall, because he actually gave performances there.

In Loring Park in Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA, there is a huge bronze statue memorializing Bull.

In 2006, director Aslak Aarhus released a motion picture titled Ole Bull--The Titan, the story of Bull's exploits and the impact it had on his French wife and children, who remained neglected in Bergen.