The Nordic tradition continues

My interest in Norwegian music, particularly solo song, began while I was studying at Concordia College in Moorhead, Minnesota. One of several colleges founded by Norwegian immigrants, the institution had a long tradition of supporting the Norwegian culture through language and history courses as well as touring music ensembles which regularly visit Norway. After studying at Norges musikk høgskolen, I felt well-prepared to write my doctoral research, and my document, “Norwegian Art Song in the Golden Age,” set me on a path to specialize in Norwegian solo song. After years of teaching these Norwegian songs in voice lessons at the college level, in 2014 I became aware of the Edvard Grieg Society of America, founded by Dr. Sylvia Reynolds Eckes. A past president of the International Edvard Grieg Society, she used this new organization to pave the way for the founding of other regional societies, including the Edvard Grieg Society of the Dakotas (2017.) Along with co-founder, Dr. Jean Hellner, I sought to establish an organization that would facilitate concerts and other events highlighting the contributions of Grieg and his compatriots, as well as current Nordic performers. To that end, we have held concerts featuring not only Edvard Grieg but numerous other Norwegian composers, most recently Norwegian women composers of piano music and songs. Our grants program helps those interested in programming Grieg with concert production costs. By hosting Norwegian pianist Oda Hjertine Voltersvik as artist-in-residence, we have showcased music written by Norwegian composers and performed by a Norwegian artist. Voltersvik and I will be collaborating in July on a concert of music performed by famed Norwegian soprano, Kirsten Flagstad, who toured extensively in the Midwest in the 1930s. Voltersvik’s solo tours in 2025 will highlight the continued connections between Norway and the US through the music of Edvard Grieg, Harald Sæverud, and others. 

Currently serving as president of both the Edvard Grieg Society of the Dakotas and the International Edvard Grieg Society, I believe this bicentennial year is the perfect time to mark the contributions of Norwegian immigrants who composed, those who performed, and those who served as enthusiastic audiences. Because the regional Edvard Grieg Societies are also primarily founded and led by women descended from Norwegian immigrants (myself included), the ties are particularly close for present-day performances. Audiences today enjoy our concerts not only because of the nostalgic connections to “the old country,” but because of the high quality of the Norwegian music and the outstanding performers who continue to program it. Those of us involved in the various Grieg Societies recognize the rich history that spans the ocean in music and other art forms. Our mission is to share it with audiences across the US, no matter what the roots of their heritage may be. The unique flavors of Norwegian music continue to delight, whether from the earliest days of Halfdan Kjerulf in the mid-nineteenth century or current composers such as Ola Gjeilo. The Edvard Grieg Society of the Dakotas and its sister organizations remain dedicated to supporting these musical bonds between Norway and the United States for future generations. 

‍_{Top image: Edvard Grieg at the piano. Photographed in 1906. Photo: Anders Beer Wilse / Norsk Folkemuseum.}

Video: Marla Fogderud and William Wieland performing “Naar solen ganger til hvile” by Sofie Dedakam and “Våggsang” by Erika Bodom.