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The Norwegian author, hymnographer, translator and publisher, Ragnar Grøm, was chairman of the central board for Norges Kirkesangforbund (the Norwegian cantor association). He was editor of the periodical Norsk kirkesang (Norwegian church singing) for 17 years and in charge of Norges Kirkesangforbund’s publishing house until it was closed down in 2001.
Ragnar Grøm edited Norges Kirkesangforbund’s commemorative volume Store Gud vi lover deg (2004) and is the author of several books, among others Guds rike vi beholder. Om salmedikteren Martin Luther (1995) and Gjør døren høy, gjør porten vid. Med salmeboken gjennom kirkeåret (1999).
Ragnar Grøm has also translated a huge amount of church music librettos into Norwegian, amongst them are: J.S. Bach (all the Sacred Cantatas BWV 1-199); Johannes Brahms (Ein Deutsches Requiem). Dietrich Buxtehude (Several cantatas). George Frideric Handel (Israel in Egypt, Samson, Jephta, Solomon, Messiah, Utrecht Te Deum, Judas Maccabeus, Dettingen Te Deum). Haydn (The Creation). Reinhard Keiser (Marcus-Passion). Felix Mendelssohn (Elias, St. Paul, Choral Cantata O haupt voll Blut). Michael Praetorius (Chorales). Purcell (Anthems: I will give thanks, O be joyful,O God, Thou art my God, Christmas Anthem, O God the king of glory, Singunto the Lord). Schubert (Stabat Mater). Heinrich Schütz (Passions, Christmas-Oratorium, Psalms of David, Kleine geistliche Konzerte, Symphoniae Sacra (1,2,3), Musikalische Exequien). Georg Philipp Telemann (Lukas-Passion, several Motets and Cantatas. Antonio Vivaldi (Confitebor tibi Domine).
Ragnar Grøm was one of the three members of the editorial board for Nytt norsk salmeleksikon (2011–2013). He passed away in January 2018, 90 years old. |
