2016 in Scandinavian music

The following is a list of notable events and releases that happened in Scandinavian music in 2016.
(Go to last year in Scandinavian music or next year in Scandinavian music.)

Events

January

• 8 - The first recording is released of Danish composer Hans Abrahamsen's Grawemeyer award-winning work, let me tell you.^[1]
• 15 - Icelandic broadcaster RÚV reveals the songs competing to be Iceland's entry in the Eurovision Song Contest 2016 during the Rás 2 radio programmes Virkir morgnar and Poppland.^[2] Five of the competitors enter English versions of their songs.^[3]
• 21 – The 2016 Ice Music Festival opens in Geilo, Norway (January 21 - 24).^[4]
• 25 - The draw to determine which country will participate in which semi-final of the Eurovision Song Contest 2016 takes place in Stockholm City Hall. Sweden is pre-allocated to vote and perform in the first semi-final for scheduling reasons.^[5][6]
• 27
  • The Léonie Sonning Music Foundation announces Leonidas Kavakos as the recipient of the Léonie Sonning Music Prize 2017.^[7]
  • The 2016 Bodø Jazz Open opens in Bodø, Norway (January 27 - 30).^[8]
• 29
  • The Ernst von Siemens Music Foundation announces Per Nørgård as the recipient of the 2016 Ernst von Siemens Music Prize.^[9]
  • The 2016 Nordlysfestivalen opens in Tromsø, Norway (January 29 - February 7).^[10]

February

• 6
  • Opening of the 56th Melodifestivalen in Sweden.^[11]
  • The first of the Uuden Musiikin Kilpailu 2016 Semi Finals takes place in Finland.^[12]
• 7
  • The annual Oslo Operaball takes place in Oslo, Norway.^[13]
  • Knut Kristiansen and Bergen Big Band hold a release concert for the album Kuria Suite at Verftet in Bergen, Norway.^[14]
• 10 - The Ojai Music Festival announces the appointment of Esa-Pekka Salonen as its music director for the 2018 season.^[15]
• 13 - The Dansk Melodi Grand Prix Final takes place at the Forum Horsens in Horsens, Denmark.^[16] Lighthouse X are selected to represent Denmark at the Eurovision Song Contest 2016. ^[17]
• 15 - It is announced that Swedish jazz saxophonist and composer Jonas Kullhammar is the recipient of the 2016 Gullinpriset (awarded in memory of the saxophonist Lars Gullin (1928 – 1976)).^[18]
• 16 – Andreas Loven holds a release concert for the album District Six (Losen Records) at Victoria - National Jazz Scene in Oslo.^[19]
• 20 - At Söngvakeppnin 2016 in Reykjavík's Laugardalshöll, Greta Salóme is selected to represent Iceland at the Eurovision Song Contest, with the song "Hear Them Calling".^[20]
• 26 - A remix of Zara Larsson's hit single "Lush Life", featuring Tinie Tempah, is released, and soon becomes a top 10 hit internationally.^[21]
• 27 - The Uuden Musiikin Kilpailu 2016 Final takes place in Finland.^[22]

March

• 2 – By:Larm 2016 starts in Oslo (March 2 - 5).^[23]
• 3
  • Frode Alnæs holds a release concert for the album Kanestrøm (Øra Fonogram) at Victoria - National Jazz Scene in Oslo.^[24]
  • The Oslo International Church Music Festival 2016 starts in Oslo (March 3 - 13).^[25]
• 12 - The final of Sweden's Melodifestivalen takes place.^[26]
• 17 - Norwegian musician John Martin is convicted of the murder of his wife Natalia Strelchenko, a Russian-born concert pianist, and is sentenced to life in prison.^[27][28]
• 18 – The Vossajazz event opens in Voss, Norway (March 18 - 20).^[29]
• 23 – Inferno Metal Festival 2016 starts in Oslo (March 23 - 26).^[30]

April

• 1 - In the final of season 9 of Denmark's X Factor, the sister duo Embrace emerge winners, obtaining 60% of the public vote.^[31]
• 23 - The Gamlestaden Jazzfestival opens in Göteborg, Sweden (April 23 – April 30).^[32]

May

• 14 – The final of the Eurovision Song Contest 2016 takes place at the Ericsson Globe in Stockholm. Sweden, the only Scandinavian country to reach the final, finishes in 9th place. Finland, Iceland, Denmark and Norway are all eliminated in the semi-finals.
• 25 – Festspillene i Bergen 2015 starts (May 25 – June 8).^[33]
• 26 – Nattjazz starts in Bergen (May 26 – June 4).^[34]

June

• 15 – Bergenfest 2016 with headliner Sigur Rós (June 15 – 18).^[35]
• 25 - The 2016 Roskilde Festival opens with a performance by the Syrian National Orchestra for Arabic Music and Damon Albarn (June 25 - July 2).^[36]
• 30 - Bråvalla Festival opens near Norrköping, Sweden.

July

• 3 - The Copenhagen Jazz Festival 2016 opens (July 3 - 12).^[37]
• 14 – G! Festival opens in Göta, with a line-up including Songhoy Blues, Lucy Rose, Federspiel and the Hot 8 Brass Band.^[38]
• 18 – Moldejazz 2016 starts with Ola Kvernberg as artist in residence (August 18 – 23).^[39]

August

• 14 – Oslo Jazzfestival 2016 opens with a concert by the Jan Garbarek Group, featuring Trilok Gurtu (August 14 – 20).^[40]

September

• 4 – The 11th Punktfestivalen opens in Kristiansand, Norway (September 4–6).^[41]

October

• 7 – The 33rd Stockholm Jazz Festival opens in Stockholm, Sweden (October 7–16).^[42]
• 13 – The 33rd DølaJazz opens in Lillehammer, Norway (October 13–16).^[43]

November

• 3 - Tampere Jazz Happening opens in Tampere, Finland (November 3 - 6).^[44]
• 6 – The Kongsberg Jazzfestival 2016 opens with Pat Metheny concert (August 6 – 9).^[45]

Albums released

January

• 8 - Anders Hillborg - Sirens, Cold Heat;, Beast Sampler^[46]
• 29
  • What Was Said by Tord Gustavsen and his trio, featuring drummer Jarle Vespestad and German-Afghan vocalist Simin Tander (ECM Records^[47]
  • Momento by pianist Ayumi Tanaka Trio (AMP) including with Christian Meaas Svendsen (bass) and Per Oddvar Johansen (drums).^[48]
  • Ghostlights by Finnish music project Avantasia
  • High Noon by Finnish guitarist Kalle Kalima (ACT Music).^[49]
  • Some Other Time - A Tribute To Leonard Bernstein by Nils Landgren (ACT Music).^[50]

February

• 1 - Songbook by Lars Danielsson (ACT Music).^[51]
• 3 - Kanestrøm by Norwegian guitarist Frode Alnæs (Øra Fonogram).^[52]
• 11 - 2016: District Six by the pianist Andreas Loven (Losen Records)^[53]
• 12 - Olavi by Olavi Uusivirta
• 14 – Story Of I by Myrna (Tomtom & Braza).^[54]
• 17 - Picture You by The Amazing, including guitarist Reine Fiske (Partisan Records).^[55]
• 19 - Grasque by Choir of Young Believers
• 26 - We Survive by Medina

March

• 3 – Kanestrøm by Norwegian guitarist Frode Alnæs (Øra Fonogram).^[56]
• 6 – Trees Of Light by Anders Jormin / Lena Willemark / Karin Nakagawa (ECM Records).^[57]
• 11 – Culturen by Skadedyr (Hubro Records).^[58]
• 18 – Reckless Twin by Mads Langer^[59]
• 25 – Let’s Dance by Per Oddvar Johansen (Edition Records).^[60]
• 26 – We Survive by Medina

April

• 15 – Closer by Christopher (EMI)

June

• 3
  • The Brightest Void by Tarja Turunen^[61]
  • Good Karma by Roxette
  • Seal the Deal & Let's Boogie by Volbeat^[62]

date unknown

• Efter Regnet by Freddie Wadling

Eurovision Song Contest

• Denmark in the Eurovision Song Contest 2016
• Finland in the Eurovision Song Contest 2016
• Iceland in the Eurovision Song Contest 2016
• Norway in the Eurovision Song Contest 2016
• Sweden in the Eurovision Song Contest 2016

Deaths

• 17 January – Carina Jaarnek, Swedish singer and Dansband artist, 53 (cerebral haemorrhage)^[63]
• 18 January - Else Marie Pade, Danish composer, 91
• 25 January - Leif Solberg, Norwegian composer and organist, 101^[64]
• 4 February - Ulf Söderblom, Finnish conductor, 85^[65]
• 19 February - Harald Devold, Norwegian jazz musician, 51 (cancer)^[66]
• 20 February
  • Ole Erling, Danish musician, 77^[67]
  • Ove Verner Hansen, Danish actor and opera singer, 85^[68]
• 29 February - Josefin Nilsson, Swedish singer, 46^[69]
• 1 May - Sydney Onayemi, Nigerian-born Swedish DJ, 78^[70]
• 4 May - Olle Ljungström, Swedish singer and guitarist, 54^[71]
• 9 May - Riki Sorsa, Finnish singer ("Reggae OK"), 63 (cancer)^[72]
• 14 May - Lasse Mårtenson, Finnish singer ("Laiskotellen"), 81^[73]
• 16 May - Fredrik Norén, Swedish jazz drummer, 75^[74] (death announced on this date)
• 2 June - Freddie Wadling, Swedish singer and songwriter, 64^[75]
• 8 June - Terje Fjærn, 73, Norwegian orchestra conductor ("La det swinge").^[76]
• 27 June - Pelle Gudmundsen-Holmgreen, Danish composer, 83^[77]
• 18 July - Karina Jensen, Danish singer (Cartoons), cancer.^[78] (death announced on this date)
• 27 July - Einojuhani Rautavaara, Finnish composer, 87^[79]
• 27 September - Märta Schéle, Swedish singer, 80^[80]
• 30 September - Lilleba Lund Kvandal, Norwegian opera singer, 76^[81]
• 12 November - Jacques Werup, Swedish musician and writer, 71^[82]

References

1. Huizenga, Tom (25 November 2015). "Hans Abrahamsen Wins The Grawemeyer Award For Music". NPR. Retrieved 8 February 2016.
2. Bergsson, Felix (14 January 2016). "Öll lögin frumflutt á Rás 2". ruv.is (in Icelandic). RÚV. Retrieved 14 January 2016.
3. "Eurovision hopefuls ditch Icelandic language". mbl.is. Morgunblaðið. 16 February 2016. Retrieved 17 February 2016.
4. "Ice Music Festival 21 - 24 Jan 2016". IceMusicFestival.no. Retrieved 2015-04-27.
5. Van Eersel, Dennis (23 December 2015). "Eurovision 2016: Semi-finals Allocation Draw on 25th of January". ESCDaily.com. Retrieved 2 January 2016.
6. "Allocation Draw: The results!". Eurovision.tv. Retrieved 2016-01-25.
7. "Leonidas Kavakos announced as winner of Léonie Sonning Music Prize 2017" (Press release). Léonie Sonning Music Foundation. 2016-01-27. Retrieved 2016-01-30.
8. "Datoene for BJO 2016 er klare!". Bodø Jazz Open. Retrieved 2015-04-27.
9. Ernst von Siemens Music Foundation page on Per Nørgård
10. "Nordlysfestivalen 2016: 29. januar til 7. februar" (in Norwegian). Nordlysfestivalen. Retrieved 2015-04-27.
11. Dahlander, Gustav (15 September 2015). "Hit kommer Melodifestivalen 2016 – se alla städerna". svt.se (in Swedish). Sveriges Television. Retrieved 4 February 2016.
12. "Finland's first finalists chosen". Eurovision.tv. Retrieved 2016-02-13.
13. "Review: The most cosmopolitan night in Norway". OsloiInternationalClub.com. Retrieved 2015-04-28.
14. "BERGEN BIG BAND – «KURIA SUITE» - Sleppefest for Kuria Suite". BergenJazzforum.no. Retrieved 2016-02-14.
15. "Ojai Music Festival Announces Future Music Directors Through 75th Festival" (PDF) (Press release). Ojai Music Festival. 2016-02-10. Retrieved 2016-02-12.
16. "Melodi Grand Prix". DR. Retrieved 2016-02-13.
17. "DENMARK: LIGHTHOUSE X WINS DANSK MELODI GRAND PRIX 2016". Accessed 13 February 2016
18. "Jonas Kullhammar får Lars Gullin-priset". Sveriges Radio. Retrieved 2016-02-16.
19. "Andreas Loven Release!" (in Norwegian). NasjonalJazzscene.no. Retrieved 2016-02-14.
20. "Greta Salóme to represent Iceland again!" Eurovision Song Contest website, 20 February 2016. Accessed 22 February 2016
21. "iTunes Store (SE) - Music - Zara Larsson - Lush Life (feat. Tinie Tempah) [Remixes] - Single". iTunes Store (SE). 26 February 2016. Retrieved 3 March 2016.
22. "Finland's first finalists chosen". Eurovision.tv. Retrieved 2016-02-13.
23. "News". GlobalPublicity.co.uk. Retrieved 2015-04-28.
24. "Frode Alnæs - Releasekonsert!" (in Norwegian). NasjonalJazzscene.no. Retrieved 2016-02-14.
25. "Oslo Internationale Kirkemusikkfestival". Oslo International Church Music Festival. Retrieved 2015-04-28.
26. "Sweden: Melodifestivalen 2016 tour announced". Eurovision.tv. Retrieved 2016-02-13.
27. "Musician found guilty of strangling and beating to death his world-renowned concert pianist wife in jealous rage", Daily Mail, 18 March 2016
28. "Natalia Strelchenko murder: 'Jealous' husband John Martin jailed", BBC News, 21 March 2016, retrieved 22 March 2016
29. "Vossa Jazz 18. - 20. mars 2016" (in Norwegian). Bergensavisen. Retrieved 2015-04-27.
30. "Inferno Metal Festival". VisitOslo.com. Retrieved 2015-04-28.
31. "X Factor-sejr: EMBRACE vandt med 60 procent af stemmerne" (Swedish)
32. "GMLSTN JAZZ 2015". GmlStnJazz.com. Retrieved 2016-02-14.
33. "Festspill 2015 -Aktuelt" (in Norwegian). Festspillene i Bergen. Retrieved 2015-06-11.
34. "Nattjazz 26. mai - 4. juni USF Verftet 2016 - Takk for i år!" (in Norwegian). Nattjazz. Retrieved 2015-06-11.
35. "Bergenfest 15-18 juni 2016" (in Norwegian). Bergenfest. Retrieved 2015-12-14.
36. "Roskilde Festival 2016". Roskilde Festival. Retrieved 2016-02-14.
37. "COPENHAGEN JAZZ FESTIVAL - FROM 07/03/2016 TO 07/12/2016 AT MULTIPLE VENUES". Copenhagen Jazz Festival. Retrieved 2016-02-14.
38. G! Festival 2016 line-up. Accessed 26 February 2016
39. "Moldejazz: Ola Kvernberg" (in Norwegian). Moldejazz. Retrieved 2015-12-14.
40. "Oslo Jazzfestival: Åpningskonsert med Jan Garbarek" (in Norwegian). Oslo Jazzfestival. Retrieved 2015-11-20.
41. "Punkt 2016 will take place from 1st to 3rd of September.". Punktfestivalen. Retrieved 2016-04-26.
42. "Stockholm Jazz Festival 7 – 16 oktober 2016". Stockholm Jazz Festival. Retrieved 2016-10-22.
43. "Dølajazz – Lillehammer Jazz Festival, 13 – 16 oktober 2016". DølaJazz. Retrieved 2016-09-29.
44. "Tampere Jazz Happening: 03.11.2016 - 06.11.2016". Festivals.fi. Retrieved 2016-02-13.
45. "Moldejazz: Ola Kvernberg" (in Norwegian). Moldejazz. Retrieved 2015-12-14.
46. Andrew Clements (2016-01-27). "Hillborg: Sirens; Cold Heat; Beast Sampler CD review – there's no doubt orchestras enjoy playing his music". The Guardian. Retrieved 2016-01-23.
47. "Tord Gustavsen - What was said - Jarle Vespestad, Simin Tander". ECM Records. Retrieved 2016-02-01.
48. "Ayumi Tanaka Trio - Memento". TheMusic.Today. Retrieved 2016-02-01.
49. "Kalle Kalima - High Noon - CD". ACT Music. Retrieved 2016-02-13.
50. "Nils Landgren: Some Other Time - A Tribute To Leonard Bernstein - CD". ACT Music. Retrieved 2016-02-01.
51. "Lars Danielsson Songbook". ACT Music. Retrieved 2016-02-13.
52. "Catch up with us on Social Media". OraStudio.no. Retrieved 2016-02-13.
53. "District Six - Andreas Loven". Musical reviews. Losen Records. Retrieved 2016-02-07.
54. Feratovic, Leila (2016-02-12). "Myrna - Story Of I". Musical reviews. Gaffa.no. Retrieved 2016-02-22.
55. "The Amazing – Picture You". ConsequenceOfSound.net. Retrieved 2016-02-14.
56. "Catch up with us on Social Media". OraStudio.no. Retrieved 2016-02-13.
57. "Anders Jormin / Lena Willemark / Karin Nakagawa - Trees Of Light". ECM Records. Retrieved 2016-02-17.
58. "Skadedyr: Culturen". Hubro Records. Retrieved 2016-03-14.
59. http://hitlisten.nu/
60. "Let's Dance : Per Oddvar Johansen". Edition Records. Retrieved 2016-03-14.
61. http://www.ear-music.net/en/news/details/tarja-announces-the-brightest-void-the-prequel-reveals-cover-artwork-tracklist/
62. "VOLBEAT's 'Seal The Deal & Let's Boogie' Album Due in June; Listen To 'The Devil's Bleeding Crown' Single". blabbermouth.net. 7 April 2016. Retrieved 8 April 2016.
63. "Dansbandsdrottningen Carina Jaarnek död" (in Swedish). Aftonbladet. 2016-01-17. Retrieved 2016-02-21.
64. Komponist Leif Solberg (101) er død Archived January 26, 2016, at the Wayback Machine. (Norwegian)
65. Virve Rissanen (2016-02-04). "Kapellimestari Ulf Söderblom on kuollut". Helsingin Samonat. Retrieved 2016-02-06.
66. Devold måtte gi tapt for kreften (Norwegian)
67. Musikeren Ole Erling er død 77 år gammel (Danish)
68. Bøffen fra Olsen Banden er død (Danish)
69. Josefin Nilsson är död (Swedish)
70. Disco-legendaren Sydney Onayemi död (Swedish)
71. Olle Ljungström (54) er død (Norwegian)
72. Riki Sorsa on kuollut (Finnish)
73. Lasse Mårtenson har avlidit (Swedish)
74. Jazzmusikern Fredrik Norén död (Swedish)
75. (Swedish)
76. Terje Fjærn er død (Norwegian)
77. NEKROLOG: En stor original i dansk musik er død (Danish)
78. Dansk sangerinde er død af kræft (Danish)
79. Finnish composer Rautavaara dies at 87
80. (Swedish)
81. Nekrolog: Lilleba Lund Kvandal (Norwegian)
82. Jacques Werup död (Swedish)