Saturday, June 7, 2014

60 years of Eurovision hymn


60 years as you heard from CPH a capella, but one song has been the same during the years - the opening theme.  

Today, 60 years ago you could hear it for the first time. The Eurovision Hymn. But this is not a song out of a music studio especially composed for the Eurovision Song Contest. It is part of Marc-Antoine Charpentier. His "Te Deum" is a song which should represent the end of and English-French war. That this part of his composition is well known in Europe and not only there is a result of a decision after the second world war. 

10950 the EBU was founded. Not a political organisation but a union of radio and television broadcasting station all around Europe. Due to the political situation the eastern socialist countries were not part of it besides Yugoslavia. The main purpose of this organisation was to broadcast shows around Europe without borders. It is not clear who discovered "Te Deum", maybe a BBC representativ or as of coincidence by the netherland's radio. But in the end. "Te Deum" is played always if a show in radio or television is broadcasted in at least three countries. 

The first live show of the EBU which were opened by "Te Deum" was the coronation of Princess Elizabeth of England to the Queen Elizabeth II 1953. Since then the many shows were opened but the biggest event is the Eurovison Song contest. When this hymn is going through the venue, people know now they are part. Part in the biggest and most connecting event in the world. 

This is how "Te Deum" developed:

1953


1968


1986


1995



1997



2014


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