MUSIC The Norwegians have always been a musical people. Discoveries from ancient times reveal some musical instruments that have been in use in the earliest times. Folk songs and melodies have lived on the lips of the people from the Middle Ages down to the present day. The oldest musical institution in Norway is the Harmonien at Bergen, founded in 1765. It was not however until after 1814, the year of independence, that Norway got music of a con- sciously national character and inspired by folk melodies and dances. Waldemar Thrane (1790—1828) wrote his national-romantic musical play Fjell- eventyret. Ole Bull (1810—1880) was a brilliant musical genius who lay the world at his feet with his violin. His compositions include Seter- Jentens sondag, one of the most popular melodies to this day. Halfdan Kierulf (1815—1868) and Rikard Nordraak (1842—1866) composed in the same spirit of national romance. Eduard Grieg (1843—1907) is the best known of all Norwegian composers. He is regarded as the regenerator of modern music based on national motifs from 73