STATUS
Nordic network for sharing knowledge on classical and contemporary music
As 8 Nordic organisations join forces to monitor the evolution of classical and contemporary music, intriguing signals of change have begun to emerge. These signals, rooted in deep collaboration and knowledge sharing, may reshape how we discuss and approach music across the region. Could we be on the verge of a new Nordic language for art music?
From debates over opera's relevance in Finland to the challenges of music journalism and criticism in Iceland, these signals highlight diverse challenges and opportunities across the Nordic countries. Discussions around the rise of freelance opera groups in Finland, the golden age of contemporary music in Denmark and Norway, and the need for a fresh language to discuss these dynamic changes all point to a transformation in the future of the Nordic art music scene.
The STATUS network was founded in 2021 on initiative from Art Music Denmark with the aim of developing a platform for knowledge-sharing between the different represented countries and strengthening the Nordic art music scenes. In the past years, the network has grown and now have 8 representatives from 7 Nordic countries: Art Music Denmark (DK), Iceland Music (IS), Music Finland (FI), Music Norway (NO), Unga Tankar Om Musik (SE) and TUTL (FO). Recently Musikcentrum Syd (SE) and Jonas Lundsgaard Nilsson from Municipality of Nuuk (GL) who works for Kommuneqarfik Sermersooq joined the STATUS network as observers. While the different organizations differ in terms of structure and methodologies, they all share a common goal: Namely to support contemporary and classical music.
Signals from the STATUS network
Reflecting on which discussions within the network had the most impact on the members own strategies and work the past year, the individual network partners highlighted some of the most noteworthy topics.
In Finland, the discussion of opera’s role in today’s society was a big inspiration: “During this summer and autumn there has been public debate about opera in Finland. Some say that there is not enough new and for example female-directed opera, and that the scene is often repeating old, male-dominated classics to old audiences. But then again, there are opera groups and productions that deal with current topics and have taken diversity and inclusion into account. Helsinki Contemporary Opera Festival as a relatively new opera festival has based its program in new opera, composed by contemporary composers, aiming towards more diverse audience. And the Finnish National Opera is launching a new opera writing laboratory next year”, notes Tuuli Elo from Music Finland.
Max Lake from Unga Tankar Om Musik (Sweden) highlights the network’s discussion on the impact of current wars and threats to democracy in other countries: “The situation with decreasing a number of democracies in the world, and wars in our closest neighbourhoods has raised the need for taking action and learning more about the situation regarding threats and hatred against the professions in the cultural field.
It's always inspiring to consider and discuss the signals from the other Nordic countries. The golden age for contemporary music in both Denmark and Norway sends vibes of new energy for the classical field and the audience.”
Signý Leifsdóttir from Iceland Music highlighted a particularly relevant topic for discussion: the challenging developments in journalism and the role of critics in articulating and promoting art music. “A key focus this year has been music journalism and criticism,” she noted. "Kaja Bjørntvedt from Music Norway raised concerns about journalists and art critics receiving artist salaries in Norway, and the possibility that government support for them might cease. Regin Peterson from Art Music Denmark then inquired about the broader discussions surrounding music critics in Denmark. These exchanges sparked valuable insights. Their input became especially relevant when our office was approached to facilitate a conversation on this subject. We are now planning to expand the dialogue on a larger scale, focusing not only on music but on the arts as a whole, as well as the state of journalism and art criticism in Iceland."
Regin Peterson from Art Music Denmark especially took notice of a recent discussion brought forth by Iceland Music about diversity in the different musical styles within the contemporary art music scene: “The discussion sparked a conversation between some of us to talk about the “new” value of contemporary music and how it could be necessary to develop a new language to talk about the music. As a group, I think we could develop this signal in particular and most likely also influence its further development.”
Open STATUS meetings
Since the beginning, the STATUS network has organized an annual public meeting in collaboration with other organizations within the field to facilitate even broader discussions on how to draw on each other's experiences and knowledge. In 2022, the meeting was held at Musica Nova-festival (Finland) and in 2023 at Ultima (Norway).
During Nordic Music Days 2024, representatives from the STATUS network will also present a collaborative discussion on some of the most relevant and exciting topics surrounding sustainable international music exchange today. The discussion takes place on October 30.
Investigating art music in the Nordic countries
The first major project of the STATUS network was the development of an investigative and analytical report on contemporary and classical music in the represented countries. The report, titled STATUS – A Nordic Investigation of Art Music, was developed and published in 2022 in collaboration with the acclaimed media company and creative agency Bespoke and gathered different insights from the Nordic countries in the form of contemporary cases on which initiatives and ideas influence the musical landscapes – or which might be able to in the future. Central to the report was the methodological approach of gathering so-called signals: Rather than looking after and analyzing cases as mere trends, they approached and discussed them as signs of a possible future that might blossom if given time and attention.
The network’s work with the report enabled them to identify cases in which new collaborations could be fruitful and how to help develop the art music scenes further in the respective countries. While the preceding discussions only included the members’ of the network, everyone can now access the report and become inspired by the different signals.
The development of the STATUS network
Following the publication of the report, the network considered in which form their collaborative initiative could be most fruitful for them.
The network decided to establish continuous meetings on a regular basis, where they’ve been discussing new signals and their potential similarities across the different countries, followed by a broader discussion which wouldn’t necessarily be based on the signal-methodology. In line with the original aim of the project, these discussions enabled the network to gain more knowledge about whether the cases are relative to the specific structures of a given country or actually pan-Nordic. In any case, their discussions enabled a base for new perspectives when working with the Nordic art music scenes and can now also serve as a political tool when speaking with relevant decision makers.
The representatives from the different networks count Signý Leifsdóttir (Iceland Music), Esther á Fjallinum (Tutl), Laura Dalgaard Christoffersen and Regin Petersen (Art Music Denmark), Kaja Bjørntvedt (Music Norway), Max Lake (Unga Tankar Om Musik), Merja Hottinen, Tuuli Elo and Heli Lampi (Music Finland), Astrid Selling (Musikcentrum Syd) and Jonas Lundsgaard Nilsson (Kommuneqarfik Sermersooq).
The report “STATUS – A Nordic Investigation of Art Music” was made possible with generous support from Augustinus Foundation and Nordic Culture Fund. Read the report in full here.