Editing Music of Norway (section)

===Post World War II===
[[File:Arne Nordheim (1968).jpg|thumb|20th century composer [[Arne Nordheim]]]]
After World War II, Norwegian music began moving in a new direction, away from the Nordic and Germanic ideals of the past, and towards a more international, especially American, British and French, style.  Norwegian composers were influenced by a wider variety of styles that included [[serialism]], [[neo-expressionism]], [[aleatory]] and [[electronic music]].<ref name="arts"/>  New composers of this period included [[Johan Kvandal]], [[Knut Nystedt]], [[Edvard Hagerup Bull (composer)|Edvard Hagerup Bull]] and [[Egil Hovland]]. Of especial importance was French [[neo-classicism]], [[Paul Hindemith]] and [[Béla Bartók]]. During this period, serial music appeared in Norway, led by [[Finn Mortensen]]. Later, avant garde composers like [[Arne Nordheim]] took advantage of technological developments, using a variety of electronic effects and bizarre instrumentation. Arne Nordheim "is the most important composer of the post-war era". Ever since 1950, Nordheim has had immense influence on Norwegian cultural life.  His most famous pieces have served as milestone for [[contemporary classical music|contemporary]] Norwegian music.<ref name="gunnar">{{cite book |title=A Cultural Odyssey: Focus on Norwegian Art |last=Gunnar |first=Jerman |year=1997 |location=Oslo |publisher=Index Pub}}</ref>

Much of the Norwegian public did not appreciate the new direction these [[avant-garde music|avant-garde]] composers were moving in, which helped to fuel a conservative backlash. Some composers, like [[Kåre Kolberg]], reacted by writing simple music, while others, such as [[Alfred Janson]] and [[Ragnar Søderlind]], revived romanticism. Some music from this era attempted to address social and political concerns, such as Janson's dedication of a violin concerto to Chilean president [[Salvador Allende]].

By the end of the first decade of the 21st century, Norwegian classical music had become very diverse, incorporating elements from throughout the country's documented musical history, as well as modern jazz, pop and rock. Composers of the last part of the 20th century include [[Olav Anton Thommessen]], Per Christian Jacobsen, Magne Hegdal, [[Åse Hedstrøm]], Asbjørn Schaatun, Tor Halmrast, [[Glenn Erik Haugland]], [[Nils Henrik Asheim]], Cecille Ore and Ketil Hvoslef. 21st century composers include [[Marcus Paus]] and [[Maja Ratkje]]. Popular and classical attention to folk music has also continued through the work of composers like [[Lasse Thoresen]].

Norway currently supports several [[orchestra]]s of various sizes. There are two "national orchestras". Founded in 1765, [[Bergen Philharmonic Orchestra]] (Norway's oldest symphony orchestra), once conducted by Grieg, together with [[Oslo Philharmonic Orchestra]], established in 1919, are the leading orchestras in Norway.  In addition, some regional professional orchestras in Norway have been successful: [[Trondheim Symphony Orchestra]], the [[Stavanger Symphony Orchestra]], the Arctic Opera and Philharmonic Orchestra, the [[Norwegian Radio Orchestra]], and the [[Kristiansand Symphony Orchestra]]. For the last couple of decades working conditions for professional orchestras in Norway's bigger cities have greatly improved due to the construction of larger concert halls and emergence of new conductors.<ref name="arts"/> In addition, the annual [[Bergen International Festival]] (founded in 1953) helps spread Norwegian music often music similar to that of Grieg's, as well as theatre and the visual arts, and also receives international culture.  Moreover, other important festivals include the International Chamber Music Festival, the Oslo Chamber Music Festival, the [[Risør kammermusikkfest|Risør Chamber Music Festival]] and the Kristiansund Opera Festival.<ref name="arts"/>

In addition, the Oslo Philharmonic Orchestra has greatly contributed to Norwegian musical life, particularly conductor [[Mariss Jansons]]' impact on Norwegian music in the 1980s. Jansons was able to completely change people's idea of what part symphonic music in the Norwegian culture has played. Jansons was able to revive symphonic music and make the orchestra world-famous.{{Citation needed|date=April 2021}} They recorded an acclaimed set of [[Tchaikovsky]] symphonies and began regular international concert tours.<ref name="gunnar"/>

The [[Norwegian National Opera and Ballet]] has since the inauguration of their new spectacular house won admiration for their productions and expanded their number of spectators.