Kai Normann Andersen


Kai Normann Andersen was a Danish composer who wrote film scores and music for stage revues and dramas. He composed songs for over 50 films between 1930 and 1965. In the 1930s and 1940s he dominated Danish film music. He has been called "ne of the most appealing personalities of our time in the light music field". Twelve of his songs have been included in the Danish Culture Canon. Connie Hedegaard and Claus Hagen Petersen list him among the 100 most important Danes of the 20th century.

Career

Andersen was originally a bank clerk, but began composing for revues, studied music, and in 1919 became a full-time musician. He became director of revue productions in Copenhagen before extending his range into film and plays.
He composed songs for over 50 films between 1930 and 1965. In the 1930s and 1940s, he dominated Danish film music. In the 1930s, he contributed prolifically to the score of films directed by George Schnéevoigt including Præsten i Vejlby, Hotel Paradis - 1931, Skal vi vædde en million? - 1932, Kirke og orgel - 1932, Odds 777 - 1932, De blaa drenge - 1933, Kobberbryllup - 1933 and the Christmas film Nøddebo Præstegård in 1934. Songs he composed for Mød mig på Cassiopeia remain hits in Denmark.
He was married to the Norwegian actress Lilly Bergliot Skands from 1920 to 1936. He lived with actress Ellen Gottschalch from 1932 until his death in 1967. He is buried in the Frederiksberg Ældre Kirkegård.

Selected songs

Andersen wrote over 900 songs. Here is a selected list of his works: