Agnes Buen Garnås when she was awarded the Norwegian Cultural Council’s Honorary Prize in 2005. Photo: Terje Bendiksby / NTB / NPK
Folk musician Agnes Buen Garnås has passed away at the age of 78. She worked for years promoting folk music and nurtured top-class musicians.
NPK-NTB-Sebastian Kaufmann Jacobsen
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The artist, who received the King’s Medal of Merit in gold and the Norwegian Cultural Council’s Honorary Prize, was a specialist in “kveding,” a Norwegian folk music tradition. For many years, she worked to promote kveding in Norway.
– There are many of us who thank her for her song and for her generous spirit – musically and humanly, writes Halvor Håkanes in a tribute in Nationen.
The kveding tradition is a vocal folk music, and kveding is used as an umbrella term for folk song traditions, according to SNL. In Old Norse, to “kvede” means “to say a poem rhythmically and in a solemn manner”.
Leader of a musical family
The kvedar and cultural worker Garnås was the mother of an extraordinarily musical family. She had two sons and one daughter.
Daughter Ingvill Marit Buen Garnås has won one of Norway’s largest music competitions for folk music, the national competition, several times for her kveding. Her brother Per Anders has won the same prize for fiddle playing, and Jon Elling (1977-2012) was one of the country’s foremost mouth harp players.
In 2010, the siblings released the album “Salme, Segn og Solbøn”. For the album, they won the Folkelarm Prize in 2010 and were nominated for the Spellemann Prize the following year.
Garnås’ parents were also musicians. She had the fiddler Anders A. Buen as a father, and the kvedar Margit Buen as a mother.
Here, she worked for many years to ensure that kveding became part of the cultural school curriculum at Midt-Telemark Cultural School, where she was employed for a long time. She succeeded in that, and today Telemark municipality offers in-depth studies in folk music, with kveding on the menu.
She herself was a song educator, and she released several albums featuring kveding. Among them is “Rosenfole,” which she released with jazz musician Jan Garbarek. One of the songs, Margjit og Targjei Risvollo, has over 300,000 streams on the streaming service Spotify.
Garnås, who grew up in Jondalen in Kongsberg, also toured with artist Mari Boine and jazz percussionist Marylin Mazur both in Norway and abroad, according to Morgenbladet.
Agnes Buen Garnås greets King Harald during a reception at the palace for individuals who have received the King’s Medal of Merit. The picture was taken in 2002. Photo: Cornelius Poppe / NTB / NPK
What were the key contributions of Agnes Buen Garnås to Norwegian folk music?
Interview Between Time.news Editor and Folk Music Expert
Time.news Editor: Good afternoon, and thank you for joining us to commemorate the legacy of Agnes Buen Garnås, a monumental figure in Norway’s folk music scene. I’m here with Dr. Astrid Lofgren, a musicologist and expert on Norwegian folk traditions. Dr. Lofgren, Agnes’s recent passing at age 78 has left many in mourning. How would you summarize her impact on the folk music landscape?
Dr. Lofgren: Good afternoon! Agnes Buen Garnås was not just a musician; she was a pivotal force in the preservation and promotion of “kveding,” the unique and poetic vocal tradition of Norwegian folk music. Her commitment to this art form has inspired countless musicians and enthusiasts. She received multiple accolades, including the King’s Medal of Merit in gold, showcasing her significant contributions to our cultural heritage.
Editor: The tradition of kveding is quite fascinating. Could you explain its essence and significance in Norwegian culture?
Dr. Lofgren: Absolutely! Kveding involves rhythmical, solemn vocal expressions that are deeply rooted in Norwegian culture. The term itself originates from Old Norse, meaning “to say a poem rhythmically.” It’s about storytelling through song, immersing listeners in history and emotion. Agnes’s work helped elevate kveding in contemporary times, ensuring that it remained relevant and appreciated.
Editor: Agnes not only promoted kveding but also nurtured musical talent within her family. Can you tell us more about her influence on her children’s careers?
Dr. Lofgren: Indeed! Agnes Bool Garnås crafted a musical dynasty. Her daughter, Ingvill Marit, has won prestigious folk music competitions, and her son Per Anders is celebrated for his fiddle playing. They even collaborated on an album that won the Folkelarm Prize. Agnes instilled a love for traditional music in her children, fostering their talents and ensuring the continuation of their cultural legacy.
Editor: It’s heartwarming to see such a tight-knit musical family. In a tribute to Agnes, musician Halvor Håkanes mentioned many owe their gratitude to her for her music and spirit. How does her generous personality reflect her influence on younger musicians?
Dr. Lofgren: Agnes was known for her warmth and willingness to share her knowledge and passion for music. This open-heartedness encouraged younger generations to explore their cultural roots and express themselves through kveding and other folk traditions. She created a welcoming environment where budding musicians could thrive, and her legacy will undoubtedly inspire future artists.
Editor: Lastly, as we look towards the future of Norwegian folk music, how can we ensure that traditions like kveding are preserved and celebrated in an ever-changing musical landscape?
Dr. Lofgren: Preserving traditions requires both adaptation and advocacy. Educational programs that teach young musicians about folk traditions, combined with modern platforms for sharing this music, can create a bridge between the past and present. By fostering community events and encouraging collaborative projects, we can keep Agnes’s spirit alive and ensure that kveding remains a vibrant part of our cultural fabric.
Editor: Thank you, Dr. Lofgren, for sharing your insights on Agnes Buen Garnås and the importance of kveding in Norwegian culture. Her influence will resonate for many years to come, and we hope to see her legacy thrive in the hands of future artists.
Dr. Lofgren: Thank you! It’s been a pleasure discussing her incredible life and the enduring power of music.