Bull, Ole 02/05/1810 - 08/17/1880

Ole Bornemann Bull (1810-1880) was a Norwegian violinist and composer. From the famous peasant fiddler ‘Myllarguten’, he learnt slåtter (folkdances), incorporated later in his improvisations, and from the Hardanger (peasant) fiddle, he came to modify his instrument, making the bridge flatter and the bow longer and heavier. He created his first public sensation in Bologna in 1833, playing his Concerto in A, followed by an equally successful appearance in Naples, showing in his Quartet for solo violin a remarkable ability to play polyphonically. From 1835, enthusiastic reports of concerts in Paris, London and throughout Europe and the USA made him a national hero in Norway. In the 1840s and 1850s he used his influence and flamboyance to draw attention to native Norwegian art, encouraging Ibsen, Bjørnson and the young Grieg.



A longtime nationalist, he was brought back home by the revolution of 1848. He helped found the Norwegian Theatre in Bergen, and in 1852 – 53 he established the socialist colony Oleona in Pennsylvania; debts from the failed experiment kept him touring the rest of his life. Much of the music he composed is lost.



Until his death he performed with undiminished success and was well regarded by Thackeray, Twain, Liszt and Schumann, who thought him at least Paganini's equal. His compositions were criticized for lack of coherence but praised for affecting melody; Et saeterbesøg (1848) and the song I ensomme stunde are still often heard. After training in his native Bergen, he freelanced in Christiania (now Oslo) in 1828 – 31.