Folk Music Research and Ethnomusicology in Norway Today: Studying the past and the Present

Norway has a strong and diverse traditional music scene. It encompasses everything from polka-playing accordion bands in the countryside to highly sophisticated professional musicians collaborating with first class international artists from other music genres. The number of individuals playing, singing and dancing at an impressive level of proficiency is very promising. There are local clubs of musicians in all parts of the country and the scene is lively. All through the year there are contests and small festivals where musicians gather and play for each other. Every summer, national contests are held for both folkemusikk, the older music of the solo fiddle, and the newer gammeldans, centered on the accordion.1 Both attract more than 2000 people each year, but each represents a performers' world – there are few people attending the contests who do not compete themselves. Traditional Norwegian music today has become the expression of a sub-culture, and it is struggling to find its place in the modern urbanized world. Its organizations are under pressure. They are competing with many other interest groups for audiences, media attention and public funding.