During his stay in Holland, Knut decided that he didn't want to be a pianist after all and chose to follow his dream of becoming a composer instead. He enrolled at the University of Oslo and started his Master studies in composition and musicology.
Knut now lives in Oslo and works fulltime as a composer. Among his works are both game-scores, concert pieces and a musical. Ranging from small pieces for piano and vocals through chamber music to large-scale orchestral works, Knut's compositions have been performed at numerous festivals and concert venues in Norway. Knut was elected festival-composer for the Oslo Opera Festival in 2007.
EDUCATION
UNIVERSITY OF OSLO (Norway):
Theoretical works:
- Thesis on film- and game music.
- Thesis on orchestration
Practical studies:
- Orchestration
- 20th century style composition
- Counterpoint
- Big band-arranging
CONSERVATORY OF AGDER (Norway):
Main practical studies:
- Piano
- Composition
- Arranging
CONSERVATORY OF UTRECHT (the Netherlands):
- Piano
The Dreaming
Knut Avenstroup Haugen Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Athr veröld steypisk
Mun engi mathr öthrum thyrna
Knáttu vanir vígspá völlu sporna
Skildir ro klofnir
Fyllisk fjörvi feigra manna
′Ere the world
'Ere the world falls
Nor ever shall men each other spare
And the field by the warlike Wanes was trodden
Shields are sundered
Drains the life-force of doomed men
The lyrics to Knut Avenstroup Haugen's "The Dreaming" depict a world that is on the brink of destruction. The first line, "Athr veröld," which translates to "Ere the world," sets the ominous tone for the rest of the song. The following line, "Athr veröld steypisk" translates to "Ere the world falls," which indicates that the destruction of the world is imminent.
The third line, "Mun engi mathr öthrum thyrna," translates to "Nor ever shall men each other spare." This line suggests that the reason for the destruction of the world is likely due to conflict between humans. The following two lines, "Knáttu vanir vígspá völlu sporna / Skildir ro klofnir," translate to "And the field by the warlike Wanes was trodden / Shields are sundered," further indicating that conflict and violence have taken hold.
The final line, "Fyllisk fjörvi feigra manna," translates to "Drains the life-force of doomed men." This dark and poignant line highlights the tragic consequences of the conflict that has taken hold of the world. Overall, the lyrics to "The Dreaming" provide a powerful commentary on the destructive and self-destructive nature of human conflict.
Line by Line Meaning
Athr veröld
Before the world was created
Athr veröld steypisk
Before the world comes to an end
Mun engi mathr öthrum thyrna
No one will be able to escape from the burdens of others
Knáttu vanir vígspá völlu sporna
The gods fought against their fate on the field of battle
Skildir ro klofnir
Shields are broken
Fyllisk fjörvi feigra manna
The battlefield is filled with the dead and dying
Writer(s): knut avenstroup haugen
Contributed by Mila E. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@Grubnar
'Ere the world
'Ere the world falls
nor ever shall men each other spare
And the field by the warlike Vanir was trodden
Shields are sundered
Drains the life-force of doomed men
(Vanir, were a race of people in Norse mythology (Frey, Freyja), just like the more famous Æsir (Thor, Odin). They also exist in the world of Conan, where it is hinted they will become the inspiration for the Gods of the Nordic people.)
@NoGodsforMe
The feeling of entering Conall's valley for the first time and hearing this godess over my speakers is my favorite game moment :)
@Sascha702
Best music for a game ever. I would love to feel that moment again 😢
@ec7973
It definitely blew me away. Amazing game.
@doug4974
ikr
@Greetling
thats one of the greatest scores ever made... and her voice... directly from valhalla <3
@mjb4172
I agree, Fantastic song and voice.
@SigurdrVolsung
Well put. Hymn of a Valkyrie.
@kristiemesser2068
This is still stunning
@Rob_Dekker
I never played the game, but as a Conan the Barbarian fan I had to get the CD back then. Great soundtrack
@NewVizi0n
This song is the reason I played Age of Conan. I would let it sit on the load screen repeating the song over and over before I actually played the game. Now that I have seen her and heard her voice live I am stunned at the accuracy, a tear rolled down my face for the first time in many years. All I can say is Thanks for a wonderful song coming from a Magical & Wonderful voice of Helene Bøksle