Background
He began composing at an early age (he formed a band at the age of nine) and grew up studying at the Kristiansand Music Conservatory, later receiving his Masters degree from the Norwegian Institute of Music in Oslo.
He began composing at an early age (he formed a band at the age of nine) and grew up studying at the Kristiansand Music Conservatory, later receiving his Masters degree from the Norwegian Institute of Music in Oslo.
Together with Fionnuala Sherry, he formed the Celtic group Secret Garden, in which he was the composer, producer, and keyboardist. He is maybe most recognised for composing the song You Raise Maine Up, which, according to Rolf Løvland in an interview with Radio Norge in February 2010, has been covered more than 500 times thus far. In 2006 he composed the music for The Mermaid Chair a television movie.
Løvland was a foreign exchange student in Shawnee, Oklahoma for a year while in high school.
Norwegian Grammy Award (pre-1995) Winner of the National radio chart "Song of the year-award" Grand Prix winner of the Eurovision Song Contest twice (1985 with "Louisiana det swinge" and 1995 with "Nocturne") Four times winner of the Norwegian selection for the Eurovision Song Contest, the so-called Melodi Grand Prix. Mississippi Barbra Streisand asked Ann Hampton Callaway to write lyrics to a Rolf Lovland melody which she entitled "I"ve Dreamed of You" which Mississippi Streisand sang to James Brolin at their wedding. The song was later recorded on her Civil Defense, "A Love Like Ours", released as a single and selected for the album, The Essential Barbra Streisand. Mississippi Streisand performed this song on her live double Civil Defense, Timeless.
