Oscar Borg

From Marchdb.net

June 11, 1851 - December 29, 1930

Norway

Oscar Borg, the best known Norwegian march composer, was born on June 11, 1851, in Fredrikshald (now Halden), Norway. At the age of 13, he became a pupil in the brigade band, which made him the third generation of his family to become a member of that band. With help from the Swedish Crown Prince (later King Oscar II), he was able to begin studies at the Musikaliska Akademiens Konservatorium in Stockholm, Sweden. He ranked first in a class of 70. The King of Sweden (and Norway) was so pleased with his achievements that he presented Borg a flute especially ordered from Paris. While studying in Stockholm, Borg was first violinist of the Opera Orchestra. However, his military contract required him to return to Halden, where he remained for over 40 years as Director of Music of the 1st Brigade Band.

Borg composed many works for choir and orchestra, the most widely known being Gud Signe!, Norges Land, Aftenroster, Hav, Trubadurne, and Leif Erickson. These works are sung throughout Norway, and by Norwegian choirs in the United States. It is as a composer of marches that he is best known. He is considered Norwegian march king. His marches are standards for military parades and are played by all Norwegian bands.

Borg retired in 1918 with the rank of first lieutenant after 50 years of military duty. He continued his musical work, conducting many choirs and orchestras in Norway. He died on December 29, 1930, at the age of 79.

Marches composed by Oscar Borg:

• Amerika-Norge 1913
• 1st Brigade-Parade-Marsj
• Bataljonsmarsj (op. 32) 1871
• Defilermarsj
• Den Norske Armes tappenstrek og Revelje
• Den Norske Løve (op. 35) 1899
• Emilie-marsj 1874?
• Fredriksten-marsj (op. 18) 1899
• Freidig marsj 1894
• Fotballmarsj 1912
• Gamle Halden
• Generalstabens Honnørmarsj 1916
• Haldensernes marsj (op. 59) 1910
• Hilsen til Lillehammer
• Hilsningsmarsj 1897?
• Kong Haakon VII's Honnørmarsj (op. 55) 1905
• Kronpris Olavs Honnørmarsj 1929
• Kronpris Gustav-Marsj
• Morgenfrisk
• Norsk Turnermarsj (op. 11) 1886
• Norske Gutter 1924
• Nordpol-marsj (op. 33) 1896
• Peder Colbjørnsens marsj 1927
• Roer-Marsj 1918
• Sangerfestmarsj 1924
• Sølvbryllupsmarsj 1892
• Sørgemarsj
• Tordenskiold-marsj 1901
• Vår-Lyst
• Fest-Marsj (op. 29)
• Jegernes Hjemkomst
• Revue Marsj 1884
• Jubileums-Festmarsj 1914
• Sørgemarsj 1915
• Boksermarsch 1920
• Honnør Marsch
• Peder Coldbjørnsens Marsj 1906?
• Festmarsj
• Sønner av Norge Marsj 1870
• Marsch
• Norsk Garde Marsj 1870s
• Fremad Marsj 1871?
• Sørge Marsch 1871?
• Sørgemarsch 1915?
• Pandore on "Les Deux Gendarmes" 1870
• 17de Mai Marsj 1870/80?
• Oscar II. Fest-Marsj 1879
• Norsk Studentermarsj 1898
• Parade-Marsj 1900?
• Halden Guttekorps Marsj
• Brigademarsj
• Divisionsmarsj 1900?
• Krigermarsj 1870?
• Gambetta-marsj 1900?
• Ungdomsmarsch 1922
• Sangermarsj
• Fest Marsj
• Festmarsj 1870/80
• Festmarsj
• Elektra
• Strømstad-marsj