Culture

Beyond Eurovision: A musical journey in Europe

May 18, 2019 /

I have to admit that the Eurovision Song Contest is one of my guilty pleasures. Every May for several weeks (before and after the contest) all I listen to is europop – quite a departure from the music I usually enjoy (jazz, country and indie).

 

Today, however, I’ve decided to embark on a musical journey around Europe, and listen to music (not necessarily Eurovision songs) from different European countries. I’m starting this journey with classical music from 12 different countries, but I’m also going to visit countries with a huge tradition in music (albeit not in classical music). Some Eurovision pitstops have also made it to my itinerary, and so have some mega-hits straight off from the European charts. I’m overall visiting 22 countries around the continent; nonetheless, I have included 26 videos (this is the number of the participating countries in tonight’s final). Let’s begin…

 

United Kingdom

 

British popular music has been hugely influential and trend-setting since the middle of the 20th century. The Beatles and the Rolling Stones are only the first names that spring to my mind when I think of the ‘British Invasion’ of the global music scene that started in the 1960s, and continues to the present day with Adele, Ed Sheeran and many more talented musicians. This is perhaps the reason why Eurovision has not taken off in the UK in the same way as in most European countries (despite five wins from the 1960s to this day, as well as the fact that the UK is the country with the longest run of uninterrupted Eurovision appearances).

 

For me, it is neither the Beatles nor the UK Eurovision Song Contest entries, but the music of Sir Edward Elgar (2 June 1857 – 23 February 1934) that flies the Union Jack flag to the rest of the world. This perhaps has something to do with the fact that I lived in Worcester in my first year in the UK; the house where I lived was two miles from the Firs, Elgar’s birthplace, in the village of Lower Broadheath. Set in sight of the composer’s beloved Malvern Hills, the Firs is open daily from 10.00 to 17.00 (£8). Malvern, where Elgar lived and composed many of his works, is not far from there. Neither is Marl Bank, a large house set on a bank to the east of Worcester city center with a good view of the cathedral. This is where Elgar spent his final years.

 

 

Another notable English composer is Frederick Delius (29 January 1862 – 10 June 1934) who was born in Bradford, in Yorkshire, where I also lived for a few years.

 

Composers’ homes and music museums in United Kingdom

 

In London, where I currently live, there’s the Handel House and the Hendrix Flat. Situated in Mayfair, this is where German composer George Frideric Handel (23 February 1685 – 14 April 1759) moved in in 1723. This is also where the American singer-songwriter Jimi Hendrix (November 27, 1942 – September 18, 1970) lived shortly before his untimely death.

 

Also in London, there’s the Musical Museum in Brentford, near Kew Bridge. At first, I had wrongly assumed that this would be a museum about musicals. So, when I visited, I was surprised to discover that it was actually about self-playing musical instruments. The museum is open on Tuesdays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays, and the exhibition is viewed by guided tour only (£11).

 

Norway

 

It is no secret that I’m obsessed with Scandinavia and Norway in particular. But, who comes to mind when you think of Norwegian musicians? It could be Edvard Grieg (15 June 1843 – 4 September 1907), the most famous Norwegian composer. Perhaps it is soprano Sissel Kyrkjebø, a-ha, Röyksopp, or Alexander Rybak, who won the Eurovision Song Contest in 2009 (this is the last of the three Norwegian victories so far). Or, it could be Kygo and Alan Walker, whose tropical house beats have recently taken Europe by storm. There’s also Norway’s thriving jazz scene. Every year from May to August, when the days just don’t turn into nights, no less than 10 festivals take place across the country.

 

 

Composers’ homes and music museums in Norway

 

If you visit Bergen, I would strongly recommend the half-hour lunchtime concert in the Troldsalen chamber music hall at Troldhaugen, located right next to Edvard Grieg’s villa. Troldsalen is considered one of the most beautiful chamber music halls in Norway. The ticket includes the concert and a guided tour through Edvard Grieg’s villa (NOK 180). There’s also the option of a concert and bus package, which also includes transport to and from Troldhaugen (NOK 290).

 

The Troldsalen chamber music hall at Troldhaugen, Bergen
The Troldsalen chamber music hall at Troldhaugen

 

If you visit Trondheim, I would strongly recommend Rockheim, the country’s national museum for popular music. Also known as The National Discovery Centre for Pop and Rock (Det nasjonale opplevelsessenteret for pop og rock), and The National Museum for Popular Music (Det nasjonale museet for populærmusikk), Rockheim opened in 2010 and is housed in a former grain warehouse in central Trondheim. Take the lift to the 6th floor, where interactive video walls allow you to listen to the country’s most important popular musicians from the 1950s to the present. Then make your way through the rooms, each devoted to a different decade. The permanent exhibition has many interactive components. There’s also a temporary exhibition on the 4th floor, whereas the 5th floor has a café-restaurant offering panoramic views (NOK 140, closed on Mondays).

 

I would also recommend Ringve Museum, located on the outskirts of Trondheim (NOK 130, closed on Mondays). This is the country’s national museum for music and musical instruments. There are two parts: the Barn and the Manor House. The former houses the permanent collection with hundreds of (classical and folk) musical instruments from all over the world, as well as a temporary exhibition. The beautiful Victoria Café is also located there. The Manor House is open by guided tour only (during the museum opening hours). From Trondheim city center, you can either walk there or take the bus number 3 or 4 to Lade (bus stop: Ringve Museum). For fitness purposes, I chose to walk; it took me about 30-35 minutes from Solsiden. The walk is uphill and the surroundings not particularly pleasant.

 

 

Finland

 

According to the United Nations World Happiness Report, Finland is for a second consecutive year the happiest place on Earth, followed by Denmark (the happiest 3 years ago), Norway (the happiest 2 years ago), Iceland, and the Netherlands. When it comes to Eurovision, the Finns have won the contest once: in 2006 with Lordi’s ‘Hard Rock Hallelujah. Eurovision aside, the Finns should also be proud of Jean Sibelius (8 December 1865 – 20 September 1957), who’s rightly considered the country’s greatest composer.

 

 

Russia

 

I am yet to visit Russia, a country with such a rich history and culture. In 2009, Eurovision took place in Moscow following the country’s first and only victory the previous year. When it comes to classical music, Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky (7 May 1840 – 6 November 1893) is probably the most famous Russian composer, but he’s far from the only one. Others lesser known, but worth mentioning are:

 

Poland

 

Poland is another country that I have not visited yet. The Poles may have never won the Eurovision Song Contest, but they have a rich musical tradition with Frédéric Chopin (1 March 1810 – 17 October 1849) being the most famous Polish composer. He was born in the village of Żelazowa Wola, near the capital, Warsaw.

 

Czech Republic

 

Antonín Dvořák (8 September 1841 – 1 May 1904) is the most famous Czech composer. He was born in the village of Nelahozeves, 35 km north of Prague. Even though I was not into classical music as a teenager, Dvořák always takes me back to the summer I spent in Prague (as well as traveling around the Czech Republic and other Central European countries) in my late teens. That was the second and so far the last time I’d been to the Czech capital, the first having been in my mid-teens.

 

Hungary

 

I’ve been to Budapest only once; it was straight after I’d first visited Prague. Born in the now Austrian city of Raiding (Doborján), Franz Liszt (22 October 1811 – 31 July 1886) may be the most famous Hungarian composer, but sadly I was far too young to associate him with that visit to the Hungarian capital.

 

Austria

 

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (27 January 1756 – 5 December 1791) was born in Salzburg but lived in Vienna for the most part of his (short) adult life. The apartment where he lived between 1784 and 1787 is known as Mozart Haus and is open to the public (open daily from 10 am to 7 pm; 11 euros). Situated at Domgasse 5 (right behind Stephansdom), this is where Mozart composed his well-known opera ‘The Marriage of Figaro’.

 

 

Mozart may be the most famous Austrian composer, but he is not the only one. Also Austrians are:

  • Joseph Haydn (born in Rohrau; 31 March 1732 – 31 May 1809)
  • Franz Schubert (born in Vienna; 31 January 1797 – 19 November 1828)
  • Johann Strauss II (composer of the ‘Blue Danube’ waltz; also born in Vienna; 25 October 1825 – 3 June 1899)
  • Gustav Mahler (born in Czechia, then part of the Austrian Empire; 7 July 1860 – 18 May 1911)

 

German-born Ludwig van Beethoven lived in Vienna from the age of 21 until his death.

 

In addition to the Mozart Haus, you can also visit the Beethoven Pasqualati House, the Beethoven Eroica House, the Haydn House, the Johann Strauss Apartment, Schubert’s Birthplace, and Schubert’s Final Residence (5 euros each) or the Beethoven Museum (7 euros). Admission to all these places is free on the first Sunday of the month. The Beethoven Pasqualati House is the only one located in Vienna city center.

 

As far as Eurovision is concerned, Austria has won twice: in 1966 and more recently in 2014 with Conchita’s ‘Rise Like a Phoenix’.

 

 

Germany

 

Germany, France, Spain, Italy and the UK are the so-called ‘Big Five’ countries in Eurovision. This basically means that these five countries do not compete in the semi-finals; instead, along with the host country each year, they are guaranteed a place in the final. When it comes to classical music, Germany, France and Italy are also within the ‘Big Five’, along with Russia and Austria. For Germany is the birthplace of some of the greatest classical composers of all time:

Lesser known is Carl Orff (born in Munich; 10 July 1895 – 29 March 1982) who’s best known for his ‘Carmina Burana’.

 

 

France

 

Unlike most of the other countries, France became a classical music powerhouse later on, in the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. For me, the most famous French classical composers are:

  • Hector Berlioz (born in the Isère department in southeastern France; 11 December 1803 – 8 March 1869)
  • Georges Bizet (most famous for his ‘Carmen’; born in Paris; 25 October 1838 – 3 June 1875)
  • Claude Debussy (born in Paris; 22 August 1862 – 25 March 1918)
  • Éric Satie (born in Normandy; 17 May 1866 – 1 July 1925)
  • Maurice Ravel (composer of Boléro; born near Biarritz; 7 March 1875 – 28 December 1937)

 

Spain

 

The ‘Concierto de Aranjuez’ is by the Spanish composer Joaquín Rodrigo (2 November 1901 – 6 July 1999) is one of my favorite pieces of music and Rodrigo’s best-known work. The most famous interpretation is perhaps the one by American jazz musician Miles Davis and Canadian arranger Gil Evans. It is included on the landmark album ‘Sketches of Spain’. The song ‘Follow Me’ by Greek singer Demis Roussos is based on the ‘Concierto de Aranjuez’.

 

In Eurovision, Spain has won the contest twice: in 1968 and again in 1969.

 

Italy

 

Italy has also won twice: in 1964 and in 1990. Despite this moderate success, the country is the birthplace for many important classical composers, the most famous being the following:

  • Tomaso Albinoni, most famous for his ‘Adagio in G minor’, was born in Venice (8 June 1671 – 17 January 1751)
  • Antonio Vivaldi, best known for his ‘Four Seasons’, was also born in Venice (4 March 1678 – 28 July 1741)
  • Giuseppe Verdi, famous for the many operas he’s written (Nabucco, Rigoletto, La Traviata, Il Trovatore, and Aida) was born near Busseto (9 or 10 October 1813 – 27 January 1901)
  • Giacomo Puccini, also renowned for his operas (La bohème, Tosca, Madama Butterfly, and Turandot) was born in Luca (22 December 1858 – 29 November 1924)

 

Greece

 

Manos Hatzidakis (also spelled Hadjidakis; 23 October 1925 – 15 June 1994) was a Greek composer, whose music has traveled the world. In 1960, he won the Academy Award for Best Original Song with the now classic ‘Ta Pediá tou Pireá’. The Oscar-winning song was first performed in Greek by Melina Merkouri in the film ‘Never on Sunday’. It has since been recorded in a number of languages: English, French, Italian, German, Spanish, Dutch, Yiddish, Polish, Czech, Serbian, Croatian, Slovenian, Cantonese, Mandarin, and Portuguese.

 

 

‘Min ton rotas ton ourano’ is another song written by Hatzidakis that I’m particularly fond of. It was originally sung in Greek by Tzeni Karezi. In 1962, Brenda Lee covered it in English (‘All Alone Am I’). More recently, in 2017, Alison Krauss covered it on her album ‘Windy City’.

 

 

Greek soprano Maria Callas (December 2, 1923 – September 16, 1977) was one of the most renowned opera singers of the 20th century. To many of us, Callas is better known for her dramatic life and personal tragedy rather than her musical career, that has often been overshadowed by her love affair with Greek shipping tycoon Aristotle Onassis.

 

 

As far as Eurovision is concerned, Greece has won once: in 2005 with ‘My Number One’, performed by Helena Paparizou. However, Helena was the second Greek Eurovision winner; Greek-born Vicky Leandros had won the contest in 1963 when she represented Luxembourg with the song ‘Après Toi’. Helena, on the other hand, was born in Sweden to Greek parents, and launched her musical career in Scandinavia as one half of Antique. The duo represented Greece in Eurovision in 2001 finishing in the third place (Greece’s highest place until 2005).

 

Portugal

 

Amália Rodrigues (23 July 1920 – 6 October 1999) is the best-selling Portuguese artist in history. She is also known as the ‘Rainha do Fado’ (‘Queen of Fado’), fado being the best-known music genre hailing from Portugal. Rodrigues’s career spanned 55 years and she recorded songs in a number of languages, including Portuguese, English, French, Spanish and Italian.

 

 

In Eurovision, Portugal has won only once: in 2017 with the song ‘Amar Pelos Dois’ performed by Salvador Sobral.

 

Iceland

 

Born and raised in Reykjavík, Björk Guðmundsdóttir, mostly known as Björk, has sold millions of albums worldwide and is probably the most famous Icelandic musician.

 

 

32-year-old composer Ólafur Arnalds is another Icelandic artist worth mentioning here. In 2015, he collaborated with German-Japanese pianist Alice Sara Ott on ‘The Chopin Project’, an exciting new take on the music of Polish classical composer Frédéric Chopin. In 2016, he released the album ‘Island Songs’, where he collaborated with a number of other Icelandic musicians, including Nanna Bryndís from the group ‘Of Monsters and Men’ on the song ‘Particles’.

 

 

Víkingur Ólafsson is another noteworthy contemporary Icelandic musician. A pianist, he’s known for his interpretations of the works of Bach, Chopin and Glass.

 

 

Ireland

 

Having participated in the Eurovision Song Contest 52 times, Ireland is the most successful country in the contest, with a total of seven victories. One of my favorite Eurovision winning songs is the 1987 ‘Hold Me Now’ by Johnny Logan. All the same, the 1993 winner ‘In Your Eyes’ by Niamh Kavanagh holds special significance for me, as that was the first year I watched the contest. My favorite, however, Irish winner is ‘The Voice’ by Eimear Quinn (1996).

 

 

Sweden

 

Sweden is the second most successful competing nations at the Eurovision Song Contest, with a total of six wins. The first one was in 1974 with ‘Waterloo’ by ABBA, who went on to become one of the most successful groups of all time. The 2012 ‘Euphoria’ by Loreen was the fifth Swedish entry to win and is possibly my favorite Eurovision song ever.

 

 

If you visit Stockholm, you may want to visit the ABBA The Museum, an interactive museum, with both permanent and temporary exhibitions (250 SEK, open daily)

 

Luxembourg

 

One of the smallest countries in Europe, Luxembourg has won the contest five times. Only Ireland and Sweden have more wins (seven and six respectively). The third Luxembourgian victory came in 1972 when Greek singer Vicky Leandros represented the land-locked country with ‘Après Toi’. This was the second time that Leandros represented Luxembourg in Eurovision; she had already participated in 1967 when she finished fourth with ‘L’amour est bleu’. Born on the Greek island of Corfu, Leandros has had an international career spanning more than five decades, with her songs being released in Greek, French, English, German, and Spanish.

 

 

But she was not the first Greek artist representing Luxembourg in the contest. In 1963, nine years prior to Leandros’s victory, Nana Mouskouri finished in the 8th place with the song ‘À force de prier.’ Despite not being a Eurovision winner, Mouskouri has had a hugely successful career spanning six decades and holds the title of the biggest-selling female artist of all time. Born in Greece in 1934, she has released songs in at least twelve different languages, including Greek, French, English, and German.

 

 

Switzerland

 

Canadian mega-star Celine Dion had already been successful in the francophone world by 1988, when she represented Switzerland in Eurovision. However, it was after ‘Ne partez pas sans moi’ won the competition that Celine’s career took off on a truly global level. This was the second and last victory for the landlocked country.

 

 

Serbia (Kosovo)

 

It is now 11 years since Kosovo declared independence from Serbia.  Its independence is recognized by most nations, including 23 out of 28 European Union member states; however, it is yet to be recognized by Serbia. So far, Kosovo has never participated in the Eurovision Song Contest. Nonetheless, two artists of Kosovar descent are hugely successful worldwide: Rita Ora and Dua Lipa. Ora was actually born in Pristina, before relocating with her family to London. Lipa, on the other hand, was born in London to Kosovar parents. She grew up initially there and then in Kosovo, before returning to London where she launched her musical career.

 

 

Albania

 

American singer Ava Max’s hit single ‘Sweet but Psycho’ recently topped the charts in 17 countries, including the UK. The follow-up single ‘So Am I’ may not have had the same success, but has a very powerful message that resonates well with most of the Eurovision fans. Despite being born in America, the 25-year-old singer says she is “100% Albanian” and that she “definitely wants to give back to the Albanian community when I can”.

 

 

Eleni Foureira is also of Albanian descent. She was born in Albania, but grew up in Greece, where she launcher her musical career. In 2018, however, she participated in Eurovision representing neither Greece nor Albania, but Cyprus. ‘Fuego’ finished in the second place, the highest for a Cypriot entry to this date.

 

 

North Macedonia

 

Bebe Rexha is another American singer with Albanian roots. Her family may be ethnically Albanian, but they’re originally from North Macedonia. Some of Rexha’s most successful works are collaborations with international artists, such as Dutch DJ Martin Garrix (‘In the Name of Love’), French DJ David Guetta (‘Hey Mama’) and American country duo Florida Georgia Line (‘Meant to Be’).

 

 

Greece (again)

 

Born and bred in Greece, I couldn’t help it but return to my home country. This year, Greek-Canadian singer-songwriter Katerine Duska represents Greece in Eurovision with her song ‘Better Love’.

 

 

Israel

 

Even though it is located in Asia, Israel has been a member of the Eurovision family since 1973. They have won the contest four times, including in 1998 with Dana International’s ‘Diva’, one of my favorite and most iconic Eurovision songs of all time.

 

 

Their most recent win was in 2018 with Netta’s ‘Toy’. Following that victory, the contest takes place in Tel Aviv this year. The final is due to take place tonight with Madonna performing two songs during the interval.

 

 

Further reading

 

If you’d like to read more about classical music, I’d recommend 30-Second Classical Music: The 50 most significant genres, composers and innovations, each explained in half a minute

 

To check your knowledge on the greatest classical composers and their countries of birth, take this fun quiz.

 

You may also be interested in my post ‘LOVE + FEAR, Love and Angst, & Meaning of Life‘ inspired by ‘Life Lessons with MARINA’, a conversation between two influential women: Marina Diamantis, a Greek-British singer-songwriter, and Professor Tanya Byron, a clinical psychologist and writer.

 

Further listening

 

For classical music, my favorite UK radio stations are:

BBC Radio 3

Classic FM

Scala Radio

I’ve recently discovered the website Relaxing Classical, that links to Spotify for personalized classical music playlists.

 

If you visit or live in London, you can enjoy classical music concerts at St-Martin-in-the-Fields (off Trafalgar Square), or at Wigmore Hall.

You can also enjoy a classical music recital inside the beautiful Wesley’s Chapel, one of the least known and most underrated London landmarks. This is a Methodist church, built in the 18th century under the direction of John Wesley, who founded the Methodist movement. The recitals take place every Tuesday at 13.05 and are free to attend. They are also part of my tour ‘a walk and a recital in hip Shoreditch’.

 

To follow my travels around the world, simply subscribe to the Traveling Psychiatrist (just click on the menu on the left hand side).

 

Alex

(the Traveling Psychiatrist)