Concerts Norway () was established in 1967 on the initiative of the

Arts Council Norway The Arts Council Norway (, often shortened to ''Kulturrådet'') is the official arts council for Norway. Based in Oslo, it is a Norwegian state institution created in as a result of a parliamentary decision in 1964. Arts Council Norway's admini ...

(), with its main purpose described as follows: "Concerts Norway is to make living music of high artistic quality accessible to all people in the country." The organization had its opening concert in

Hammerfest Hammerfest or Hámmárfeasta is a town/cityIn the Norwegian language, the word ''by'' can be translated as "town" or "city". that is also the administrative centre of Hammerfest Municipality in Finnmark county, Norway. It is located on the nor ...

school on 4 January 1968, with artists Liv Glaser,

Eva Knardahl Eva Knardahl Freiwald (10 May 1927 – 3 September 2006) was a Norway, Norwegian pianist, with a noted career both as a child prodigy and adult performer. Career Her debut with the Oslo Philharmonic Orchestra at the age of 12, in which she pl ...

Kjell Bækkelund Kjell Bækkelund (6 May 1930 – 13 May 2004) was a Norwegian classical pianist. Biography Bækkelund was born in Oslo, Norway. He was the son of Martin Bækkelund (1903–66) and Rallik Antonette Hansen (1904–94). He was a student at the ...

, Robert Levin,

Arve Tellefsen Arve Tellefsen () (born 14 December 1936) is a Norwegian violinist who has worked with conductors such as Mariss Jansons, Arvid Jansons, Herbert Blomstedt, Gary Bertini, Evgeny Svetlanov, Bryden Thomson, Neeme Järvi, Esa-Pekka Salonen, ...

and

Aase Nordmo Løvberg Aase Nordmo Løvberg (10 June 192325 January 2013) was a Norwegian opera singer. ''Dagbladet'' called her "one of Norway's greatest opera singers." For many years she sang with Jussi Björling, and she also sang under renowned conductors such as H ...

. Concerts Norway is currently under the

Norwegian Ministry of Culture and Church Affairs The Royal Norwegian Ministry of Culture and Equality (; short name ''Kultur- og likestillingsdepartementet'') is responsible for cultural policy, regulations and other matters related to the media and sports, and equality and non-discrimination. ...

, and continues to have as its primary responsibility making a variety of music and culture available to the entire country, but in a greater variety of forms than originally. it annually engages more than 800 artists for more than 9000 concerts in all the country's 433 municipalities, which take place in schools, kindergartens, and work places. In recent years it has worked to promote new, young musicians in jazz, folk, and classical styles. In May 2012, Concerts Norway's division of public concerts was dissolved, following a 2011 decision by the Ministry of Culture. The

Oslo World Music Festival Oslo World Music Festival (established in 1994 by the name Verden i Norden in Oslo, Norway) is an annual festival presenting music from all over the world, with a primary focus on Asia, Africa and Latin America. History The festival started as a co ...

, which Concerts Norway founded in 1994, became a separate foundation at the same time. The Director of Concerts Norway serves a six-year term;

Einar Solbu Einar is a Scandinavian given name deriving from the Old Norse name Einarr, which according to Guðbrandur Vigfússon is directly connected with the concept of the einherjar, warriors who died in battle and ascended to Valhalla in Norse mythology ...

served two terms as director, succeeded in 2006 by

Åse Kleveland Åse Maria Kleveland (born 18 March 1949) is a Norwegian singer, guitarist, politician and activist. She represented Norway in the Eurovision Song Contest 1966 with the entry " Intet er nytt under solen". A well-known folk singer and traditiona ...

. On 16 April 2012,

Turid Birkeland Turid Birkeland (5 November 1962 – 24 December 2015) was a Norwegian cultural executive and politician for the Labour Party. She was Minister of Culture in 1996–97. She was an author and also worked in television, including being chief of c ...

, like Kleveland a former Minister of Culture, became the latest Director. There are approximately 60 employees. Leif Holst Jensen is chairman of the board.Styret i Rikskonsertene
, Concerts Norway

References

External links

Concerts Norway's website
{{Authority control Music of Norway