Trond Hallvard Kverno: Between Innovation and Tradition

Field of study: Practice-oriented Musicology

The complete working title of the project is "Between Innovation and Tradition: Creative Practices of Norwegian Folk Musicians Today."

Along with the growing interest in Norwegian folk music, changes are taking place in the practices of folk musicians in which the role of music making has expanded. In this expansion of creative practice, innovation has taken on a new role and significance within the tradition, as composition, collaboration, improvisation, and popular music expressions are explored. The tradition serves as a foundation for this innovation, underpinning how the music is shaped and developed. How do encounters between innovation and tradition shape the music? What interconnections between cultural understandings, musical materials, traditional values, and creative practices shape the music, and how does traditional craftsmanship play a role in the creative work of folk musicians?

Research Question

How can we understand innovation among folk musicians today, and how does this unfold in musical practices?

To answer this research question, Kverno will examine the practices of a selection of folk musicians and their ensembles through three case studies. These cases represent both diversity and contrasts within the field, in terms of musical expression, genre understanding, and approaches to creative work. The focus will be on how their practices unfold, as well as the similarities and differences that can be identified across these cases.

Methodological approach

The research methods include participant observation and interviews. Kverno will observe rehearsals, recordings, and concerts. He will also conduct interviews with the musicians to understand their reflections on their own creative practices, and what interconnections shape the music.

Topics

The following themes will be explored within the cases:

The relationship between innovation and tradition, and how this relationship can be understood.

• Collaboration and collective processes: What happens when music is composed collaboratively by individuals with diverse backgrounds?
• Materiality: What roles do instruments, technology, and production methods play in creative practice? And how do external factors such as venues, institutions, acoustics and audiences influence the music?
• Past and present: Art reflects what it means to be human in modern society. In this case, folk musicians investigate our current time through their creative practices. What does it mean to be a folk musician today? How can a folk musician express themselves in the present, and what do they want to express?
• Value and craftsmanship in folk music: How do traditional values such as oral transmission and collective ownership shape the music? How are these expressed in practice?

By examining the creative practice of selected folk musicians and the values that underpin their work, this study aims to contribute to a deeper understanding of the dynamic interplay between innovation and tradition, and to expand our perspectives on how creative work unfolds in contemporary Norwegian folk music.