Concert Band

The Eagle’s Quest

Celebrating the 400th Anniversary of the birth of Cort Adeler (1622-1675)

Grade 3.5 | 7 Mins

The Eagle’s Quest was commissioned by Brevik Musikkorps (Norway) - conductor, Sigurd Skramsett - with the support of the Sparebank Foundation Telemark, Grenland. It was first performed as part of celebrations in the town of Brevik, which marked the 400th anniversary of the birth of Cort Adeler, who was a renowned sailor and born in the town in 1622.

Adeler was born Cort Sivertsen but, from the age of 15, took service in the Dutch navy (and later hired by the fleet of Venice) and was victorious in a series of battles, culminating in a famous action against the Turkish fleet in 1654, for which he was later knighted in the Order of Saint Mark. During this period he changed his name to Cort Adeler (in Dutch Koert Adelaer – ‘adelaer’ is Dutch for ‘eagle’). He eventually retired from naval service and became a very successful merchant.e He

The Eagle’s Quest celebrates his life but is not programmatic, simply reflecting Brevik’s pride in one of its most famous sons. Towards the end of the piece is a brief quotation from the town song, Brevikssangen.