Norwegian composer perhaps best known as the composer of the music for the Norwegian national anthem, “Ja, vi elsker dette landet” (1864; “Yes, We Love This Land”).

Nordraak began composing music as a child. He was sent at age 15 to Copenhagen, Den., for training in business, but he also studied music while there. In 1859 he gave up the study of business and went to Berlin for six months to continue his music training, returning to Norway for two further years of study. During this period he became involved in the Nye Norske Selskab (“New Norwegian Society”), met Ole Bull, and immersed himself in the nationalistic movement then popular in literature and the other arts. His Four Dances for piano was published in 1859–60. After working in Berlin for two more years, Nordraak went to Copenhagen and, with Edvard Grieg and others, founded Euterpe, a musical society dedicated to the performance of works by young Scandinavian composers. In 1864 Nordraak's music for the national anthem, with words by his cousin Bjørnstjerne Bjørnson, was published. In May 1865, Nordraak once again traveled to Berlin to work and study. While there, he contracted tuberculosis and died.

His works—which include the incidental music Maria Stuart i Skotland and Sigurd Slembe, several pieces for a capella male chorus, and a number of songs and instrumental pieces—are characterized by simplicity and economy. His compositions were much influenced by Norwegian folk music, which he collected.