Music

Norwegian musicians are making a big impact on the international music scene. Some of the most familiar names are Röyksopp, the Oslo Philharmonic Orchestra, Jan Garbarek, Arne Nordheim, Mari Boine, Leif Ove Andsnes, Nils Petter Molvær, Rolf Wallin, Turbonegro, Truls Mørk, Bugge Wesseltoft, the Norwegian Chamber Orchestra and Serena Maneesh. Read more

Norway can offer a choice of over 200 music festivals in all genres and sizes, including chamber and rock music festivals and large national arrangements. Some of the events have exotic backdrops like the midnight sun, the polar night or magnificent natural surroundings. They are well worth a visit. Read more

Unlike many other European countries, Norway has an unbroken folk music tradition. Since folk music has been passed along continuously from generation to generation, there has been no need for a folk music revival. The arenas in which folk music has been presented, however, have changed over time. Read more

Today, Norwegian pop, rock, hip-hop, metal, R&B and electronica are more popular than ever. Bands and artists like Röyksopp, Turbonegro, Serena Maneesh, Sissel, Annie, Madrugada and Jaga Jazzist are at the forefront of Norwegian popular music. Thanks to a multitude of other active bands and new record companies, more is going on in Norwegian popular music than ever before. Read more

The father of Norwegian contemporary atonal art music was Fartein Valen (1887-1952). A multi-talented man, he spoke 12 languages, and surrounded himself with a muted, mysterious tonal world that was incomprehensible to his contemporaries. Despite having studied in Berlin, he regarded his own, independent study of Bach’s counterpoint as the most important factor in his development. Read more

Since the 1960s Norway’s jazz musicians have enjoyed success both nationally and internationally. Performers such as Jan Garbarek, Karin Krog and Terje Rypdal are renowned throughout the jazz world. Nils Petter Molvær, Sissel Endresen and Bugge Wesseltoft have also received international acclaim. Today musicians such as Trygve Seim, Pål Nilssen-Love and Håkon Kornstad, and ensembles such as... Read more

Norway’s classical music community owes a great debt to the composer Edvard Grieg (1843-1907). Although Norway achieved its independence only two years before his death, he put it firmly on the international musical map through his compositions and concert activities. The fact that Norway only gained its independence in 1905 has had a significant influence on Norwegian music history. For five... Read more