Austria's Beloved Edelweiss: A Song, A Nation's Pride

Edelweiss is a song from the 1959 musical The Sound of Music, which was composed by Oscar Hammerstein II and Richard Rodgers. The song is named after the edelweiss flower, which is a symbol of countries like Austria. It is not an Austrian folk song or the national anthem of Austria, but it has been mistaken for one. The song is about love winning over hard times and is against Nazi ideals. It was meant to be a symbol of resistance against the Nazis and represented the indomitable spirit of Austrians.

Edelweiss is not an Austrian folk song

The song was written as a statement of Austrian patriotism in the face of pressure on von Trapp to join the navy of Nazi Germany following the Anschluss (Nazi annexation of their homeland). It is also Captain von Trapp's subliminal goodbye to his beloved homeland, using the flower as a symbol of his loyalty to Austria.

The song was the final collaboration between Rodgers and Hammerstein, with the latter passing away from stomach cancer nine months after The Sound of Music opened on Broadway.

The perceived authenticity of the song has led to the misconception that it is an Austrian folk song or a national anthem rather than a work contrived for entertainment. In reality, Austria's current official anthem is Land der Berge, Land am Strome. The former anthem, from 1929 until the Anschluss, was Sei gesegnet ohne Ende.

The song's popularity has led to it being mistaken for an Austrian folk song, with some people believing it to be the national anthem of Austria. The song's writer, Oscar Hammerstein II, was remarkably talented at composing original song lyrics that sounded like actual folk song lyrics.

The song was composed by Oscar Hammerstein II and Richard Rodgers

"Edelweiss" is a song from the 1959 musical "The Sound of Music" by Oscar Hammerstein II and Richard Rodgers. It was the last song the duo wrote together, as Hammerstein died of stomach cancer nine months after "The Sound of Music" opened on Broadway.

Hammerstein wrote the lyrics and Rodgers composed the music. The song was created for the character Captain Georg von Trapp, as a way for him to bid farewell to Austria, which was under threat from Nazi Germany. It was also meant to showcase the Captain's bond with his children.

The song is named after the edelweiss flower, which is native to the Alps and can be found on high mountain ranges in Austria. The flower is a symbol of purity, courage, and strength in Austrian culture. The song's lyrics and melody evoke an authentic Austrian folk ballad, and it has often been mistaken as a traditional Austrian song.

"Edelweiss" was first performed live on October 3, 1959, by Theodore Bikel, Mary Martin, and the Children, and it was first recorded on November 22, 1959. It has since become one of the most beloved songs in "The Sound of Music" and has been covered by numerous artists.

Edelweiss is not the Austrian national anthem

The song is named after the edelweiss, a white flower found high in the Alps. The flower is a popular symbol in Austria and was featured on the old Austrian 1 schilling coin. It can also be seen on the 2 cent Euro coin. The edelweiss is protected in Austria and it is illegal to pick. The song was meant to symbolise the strength and heart of the Austrian people.

Despite the song's perceived authenticity, it is not an Austrian folk song or the national anthem. In fact, Austria's current official anthem is Land der Berge, Land am Strome. The former anthem, from 1929 until the Anschluss, was Sei gesegnet ohne Ende.

The song's composer, Oscar Hammerstein II, was remarkably talented at composing original song lyrics that sounded like actual folk song lyrics. The song sounds so convincingly like a real folk song that even a few native Austrians mistook it for one. The song is certainly nowhere close to becoming the Austrian national anthem.

The song was created for the character Captain Georg von Trapp

"Edelweiss" is a show tune from the 1959 Rodgers and Hammerstein musical "The Sound of Music". The song was created for the character Captain Georg von Trapp to bid farewell to the Austria he knew and loved. It is a subtle protest against the Nazi annexation of his beloved homeland.

The song is named after the edelweiss, a white flower found high in the Alps. The flower is a symbol of countries like Austria, where it is a protected flower and illegal to pick. The edelweiss stands for noble purity and courage, as it grows in tough, high-altitude places, making it a symbol of endurance.

In the film, Captain von Trapp sings "Edelweiss" to his children in their family drawing room, with his eldest daughter, Liesl, singing along. The song is also used in a concert scene, where Captain von Trapp calls on the audience to join in the song with him and his family, in defiance of the Nazi soldiers posted around the arena.

The song was the last to be written by Rodgers and Hammerstein, as Hammerstein passed away from stomach cancer nine months after "The Sound of Music" opened on Broadway.

Edelweiss symbolises resistance against the Nazis

Edelweiss is a song from the 1959 musical The Sound of Music, written by Rodgers and Hammerstein. It was created for the character Captain Georg von Trapp, who sings it as a goodbye to his homeland, Austria, which was under Nazi rule at the time. The song is a statement of Austrian patriotism and a symbol of resistance against the Nazis.

In the film adaptation, Captain von Trapp sings the song at the Salzburg Festival concert, inviting the audience to join in with him and his family in a defiant act of unity against the Nazi soldiers posted around the arena. The song is also used earlier in the film when the Captain rediscovers music with his children, forming a close bond with them.

The Edelweiss flower, which grows in the Alps, is a national symbol of Austria and has come to represent courage, purity, and endurance. It was also the badge of the Edelweiss Pirates, a group of youths opposed to the Nazis in Germany during World War II. The Edelweiss Pirates supported the Allies, assisted deserters from the German Army, and distributed anti-Nazi propaganda.

Despite the song's clear anti-Nazi message, there have been misconceptions about it being linked to Nazi ideology. However, this is not the case, and it remains a powerful symbol of resistance and unity for Austrians.

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