Eighth Annual Christmas Concert from Norway Broadcast in the U.S.

I love this time of year for so many reasons. Everyone is in a cheerful mood, despite the weather turning colder and the days darker, the world is adorned in colorful decorations that are straight out of a child's dream, and I get to share in the holiday cheer with my family and loved ones .

What I love most about this time of year, though, is the music. Ever since I was a child I've loved Christmas music, especially the traditional music of carols. Songs like Little Drummer Boy, O Holy Night, The First Noel, etc. always bring warm and welcome memories from the past.

That's why it's so exciting to announce the 2011 Christmas Concert from Norway! For the eighth year in a row the Vang church in Hamar, Norway is the home of a beautiful musical broadcast that brings together world-renowned singers and musicians to perform a concert of traditional holiday and classical music! This year, thanks to PBS and Public Broadcasting channels across America, millions of Americans will be taken into the historic church for this glorious musical event.

Viewers will be treated to an American Christmas music medley, works by Handel, Vivaldi, Morricone, Piazzolla and a number of traditional Norwegian songs. In addition, Princess Martha Louise, will host this year's concert and share Christmas memories from her childhood.

The concert is being broadcast in a number of cities throughout the U.S., like New York, Minneapolis, Miami, San Diego and more! I've included a broadcast schedule below, but if you don't see your city listed then make sure to check with your PBS station to see if they will be broadcasting the event. 

New York WLIW 21       

Sun. Dec. 25  10:00 AM

Los Angeles KCET  28         

Sat. Dec. 24    2:00 PM

                                                           

Chicago WTTW 11         

Sat. Dec. 24   9:30 PM

                                               

San Francisco KRCB 22          

Tues. Dec. 20    9:00 PM

Washington WETA 26         

Sun. Dec. 25    2:00 PM

                                                           

Phoenix KAET  8           

Fri. Dec. 23   11:00 PM                                              

Tampa WUSF 16         

Sat. Dec. 24    4:00 PM

                                                           

Minneapolis KTCA 2            

Sat. Dec. 24    8:00 PM

                                                           

Miami WLRN 17        

 Sat. Dec, 24    8:00 PM

                                                           

Cleveland WEAO 49         

Sat. Dec. 24    8:00 PM

Orlando WDSC 15         

Fri. Dec. 23     8:00 PM

                                                           

Raleigh Durham UNCMX           

Sat. Dec. 17    9:00 PM

San Diego KPBS  11         

Thurs. Dec. 22    11:00 PM

Eurovision 2011: Semi-Final 1 Results

If you tuned in on Tuesday to Eurovision.tv’s live coverage of the Eurovision song contest you enjoyed the musical stylings of contestants from Albania, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Croatia, Finland, Georgia, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Lithuania, Malta, Poland, Portugal, Russia, San Marino, Serbia, Switzerland, Turkey and Norway.

Despite an infectious chorus and beat, Norway’s entry entitled “Haba Haba” by Stella Mwangi didn’t make the final cut to advance to the finals on May 14th. (To learn more about Stella, click here) In spite of the loss, Stella remains positive saying, "I'm fine. It was a great atmosphere in the arena, everyone seemed to be singing Haba Haba." Eurovision 2009 winner, Alexander Rybak, showed support for Stella during an interview with Aftenposten saying he believes that Norway’s second place in the performance order may have been challenging. He also went on to say that due to broadcast malfunctions, viewers in Spain were unable to hear any sound during Stella’s performance.

All is not lost, however, as two of our Nordic neighbors, Finland and Iceland succeeded in the first semifinal to advance to the finals on Saturday, May 14 with fellow contestants from Serbia, Lithuania, Greece, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Switzerland, Hungary and Russia. You can also follow Denmark and Sweden’s performances in the second round semifinals today on eurovision.tv at 2:00 PM (CST).

Tuning in for Eurovision 2011

The month of May marks many exciting events within the Norwegian community, primarily the celebration of Norway’s Constitution Day. However, this year Norwegians have yet another event to celebrate: Eurovision 2011.

In it’s 56th year, the Eurovision song contest is an international broadcasting event—coordinating simulcasts in 43 participating nations as well as Australia, Egypt, Hong Kong, India, Jordan, Korea, and New Zealand. From May 10th through the 14th, viewers across Europe will be tuning in to this year’s live song contest to watch and vote for their favorite contestants. Hosting the event this year is Germany, the home country of last year’s Eurovision winner, Lena Meyer-Landrut.

Norway’s contestant, Stella Mwangi, received a winning 280,217 votes in Oslo’s Melodi Grand Prix with her song “Haba Haba” to win the nomination for her adopted county in February. Mwangi’s energetic pop song takes cues from her African roots and centers heavily on the words of encouragement Mwangi received from her grandmothers, who encouraged her to be whatever she wanted to be. Commentators from Aftenposten suggest that Mwangi may have good chances of winning Eurovision since recent winners—including Alexander Rybak—have succeeded with upbeat songs.

Viewers in Canada and the U.S. can follow along by visiting eurovision.tv at 2:00 PM (CST) on Tuesday, May 10th to watch Mwangi in the first of 2 semi-finals, where she will compete against contestants from Albania, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Croatia, Finland, Georgia, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Lithuania, Malta, Poland, Portugal, Russia, San Marino, Serbia, Switzerland and Turkey. The second semi final will take place on the 12th, the final on the 14th.

Getting into the spirit of Christmas!

In anticipation of all the festivities throughout the weekend, I give you two great videos to help get you in the spirit.

First is a video of Sissel Kjyrkebø singing "Hark the Herald Angels Sing" with the Mormon Tabernacle Choir.




Next is a video of Rick Steves' Christmas in Europe series, highlighting Christmas in Norway. Specifically in Drobak, Norway. Enjoy!

2010 Julekonsert on PBS

The annual julekonsert, is a real Norwegian Christmas tradition. One which has been broadcast throughout Norway from a church in Hamar. I've seen video of it before and it truly is an amazingly beautiful juletide tradition.

Now, I've just heard that a number of PBS stations throughout the United States may be broadcasting the 2010 Julekonsert! Normally I would recommend spending the holidays enjoying the company of family and friends, rather than zoning out to another Charlie Brown Christmas Special, however this broadcast is so wonderful I'll break my rule this once. If your PBS station is showing the concert, definitely take the hour or so from your day and enjoy the luxurious sights and sounds of this awesome tradition.

Here's a preview with an intro by Princess Martha Louise and Harald Zwart.

Scandinavia’s Best in Your Own Backyard

Is a trip to Norway not in your budget this summer? Me neither. But we can still enjoy some Scandinavian culture and learn something new, right?
Here are three upcoming opportunities to learn Nordic folk music and dance in the U.S.

If you live in the East, the Midwest or in the West, there’s an event taking place in your region in June:
• Nordic Fiddles and Feet, June 27-July 4, near Littleton, N.H.


• Nisswa-stämman, June 11-12, in Nisswa, Minn. 

• Scandia Camp Mendocino, June 12-19, near Mendicino, Calif.


All three of these events offer training in folk music and dance from top-notch Scandinavian instructors. As someone who’s attended Nisswa-stämman for the past 7 years, I can attest to what a great opportunity these events are for Nordic music and dance enthusiasts, whether you’re just beginning to explore your musical roots, or you’ve been at it for years.
PS: Look for more ways to experience Norway in your own backyard in the July issue of Viking!
Photo courtesy of Doug Bratland

Amy Boxrud is editor of Viking magazine. The mother of two grade-schoolers, Amy and her family live in Northfield, Minnesota where she is a member of Nordmarka 1-585. Amy is a Nordic folk music enthusiast, and when she’s not working or parenting, she can often be found making music with friends. She is a founding member of Northfield’s Nordic Roots Session and performs with the groups Scandium and Hütenänny.

Fiddling Builds Bridges

In the April issue of Viking, Sarah Nagell credits her study of Hardanger fiddle as the cupid's arrow that began her love affair with Norwegian folk music. Over the past 30 years, St. Olaf music professor Andrea Een has taught Hardanger fiddle to about 50 students at the college, exposing many to a new musical genre and inspiring several to continue studying, playing, and performing the instrument throughout their adult lives.


To see and hear what Een and her students have been up to recently, check out “Bridge of Peace: Swedes and Norwegians Fiddle in Harmony,” a joint concert between The Lars Skjervheim Spelemannslag of St. Olaf College, a group that Een leads; the Twin Cities Hardingfelelag, some of whom are Een’s former students; and the fiddling group from the American Swedish Institute. You can find the archived concert—along with the concert program—on the college’s website. Enjoy!


Photo: David Gonnerman

Reminiscing About Music of the Past's Future

My great uncle Ivan was an accordion player, and I’ve always had a soft spot for the instrument—not to mention admiration for the people who can play it. So it was fun to stumble upon Norwegian jazz accordion artist Frode Haltli. A reviewer for The Wire wrote of Haltli that he “revisits the past without sentimentality and makes it current in music that is both beautiful and exciting.” I have to agree. For me, listening to Haltli’s music conjures up memories of Uncle Ivan playing Norwegian folk music for family and neighbors in the backyard of the south Minneapolis home that he shared with his wife, Inga.

I just purchased Haltli’s Passing Images album on iTunes. I can already tell it’s going to be one of my favorites.