The Music of Norway during the Post-World War

At the end of World War II, Norwegian music began to move in a new. dimension, away from the Nordic and Germanic ideals of the past, and moving towards to international level, especially American French and British pattern. Norwegian composers were influenced by a broader collection of patterns that include neo-expressionism, serialism, electronic music and aleatory. New composers of this era comprise Knut Nystedt, Egil Hoyland, Johan Kyandal and Edvard Hagerup Bull. The most important was the French neo-classicism, Paul Hindemith and Bela Bartok. During this era, serial emerged in Norway and it was led by Finn Mortensen. Later, Avant-grade composers like Arne Nordheim took the opportunity of technological establishments, using a variety of electronic effects and bizarre instrumentation. Arne Norheim is the greatest notable composer of the post-war period. Ever since 1950, Nordheim has had huge influence on Norwegian cultural life. His most popular pieces have assisted as a milestone for the current Norwegian music.

source of picture: www.kirkemusikkfestivalen.no

Much of the Norwegian people did not welcome the modern dimension of these avant-garde composers were moving in, which helped to support a conservative backlash. Some of the composers like Kare Kolberg responded by writing simple music and while other composers such as Alfred Janson and Ragnar Soderlind renewed romanticism. Some of these music from this period seek to address issues like social and political, such as Janson’s dedication of a violin concerto to Chilean president Salvador Allende.

At the end of the first year of the 21^st century, Norwegian classical music had become very different, joining element from all over the country’s recorded musical history, as well as modern jazz, rock and pop. Composers of the last part 20^th century include Per Christian Jacobsen, Asbjorn Schaatun, Olav Anton Thommessen, Magne Hegdal, Tor Halmrast, Ase Hedstrom, Glenn Erik Haugland, Nils Henrik Asheim, Ketil Hyoslef and Cecille Ore. Famous and classical interest to traditional music had also continued through the work of composers like Lasse Thoresen.

Norway presently support several groups of different sizes, there are two national groups and it was established in 1765, Bergen Philharmonic Orchestra (Norway’s oldest symphony orchestra), which Greig once used to conduct and also Islo Philharmonic Orchestra which was initiated in the year 1919, the leading groups in Norway. In addition, some of the local professional groups in Norway have been flourishing which include the Stavanger Symphony Orchestra, Trondheim Symphony Orchestra, and Norwegian Radio Orchestra, the Arctic Opera and Philharmonic Orchestra and the Kristiansand symphony Orchestra. For the last couple of years working conditions for professional groups in Norway’s bigger towns have greatly impeoved due to the establishment of larger show halls, appearance of modern conductors. In addition, the yearly Bergen International festival, which was initiated 1953 help spread Norwegian music, frequently music similar to the of Greig’s theatre and pictorial arts which gain international culture. Also, other renowned festivals in Norway include the International Chamber Music Festival, Kristiansund Opera Festival, the Risor Chamber Music Festival and Oslo chamber Music Festival.

In addition the Oslo Philharmonic Orchestra has greatly supported the Norwegian musical life. Especially, Mariss Jason’s impact on Norwegian music which he try to change people’s idea about the symphonic music in the Norwegian culture and Jason was able to renew the symphonic music and make it world popular.