2016 in Scandinavian music

The following is a list of notable events and releases that happened in Scandinavian music in 2016.

Events

January

8 – The first recording is released of Danish composer Hans Abrahamsen's Grawemeyer award-winning work, let me tell you.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. Five of the competitors enter English versions of their songs.21 – The 2016 Ice Music Festival opens in Geilo, Norway.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. 27

*The Léonie Sonning Music Foundation announces Leonidas Kavakos as the recipient of the Léonie Sonning Music Prize 2017.
*The 2016 Bodø Jazz Open opens in Bodø, Norway.29
*The Ernst von Siemens Music Foundation announces Per Nørgård as the recipient of the 2016 Ernst von Siemens Music Prize.
*The 2016 Nordlysfestivalen opens in Tromsø, Norway.

February

*Opening of the 56th Melodifestivalen in Sweden.
*The first of the Uuden Musiikin Kilpailu 2016 Semi-finals takes place in Finland.7
*The annual Oslo Operaball takes place in Oslo, Norway.
*Knut Kristiansen and Bergen Big Band hold a release concert for the album Kuria Suite at Verftet in Bergen, Norway.10 – The Ojai Music Festival announces the appointment of Esa-Pekka Salonen as its music director for the 2018 season.13 – The Dansk Melodi Grand Prix Final takes place at the Forum Horsens in Horsens, Denmark. Lighthouse X are selected to represent Denmark at the Eurovision Song Contest 2016.15 – It is announced that Swedish jazz saxophonist and composer Jonas Kullhammar is the recipient of the 2016 Gullinpriset.16 – Andreas Loven holds a release concert for the album District Six at Victoria – National Jazz Scene in Oslo.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".26 – A remix of Zara Larsson's hit single "Lush Life", featuring Tinie Tempah, is released, and soon becomes a top 10 hit internationally.27 – The Uuden Musiikin Kilpailu 2016 Final takes place in Finland.

March

2 – By:Larm 2016 starts in Oslo.3

* Frode Alnæs holds a release concert for the album Kanestrøm at Victoria – National Jazz Scene in Oslo.
* The Oslo International Church Music Festival 2016 starts in Oslo.12 – The final of Sweden's Melodifestivalen takes place.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.18 – The Vossajazz event opens in Voss, Norway.23 – Inferno Metal Festival 2016 starts in Oslo.

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. 22 – The final of season 5 of The Voice of Finland is won by Suvi Åkerman, mentored by Tarja Turunen.23 – The Gamlestaden Jazzfestival opens in Gothenburg, Sweden.

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.26 – Nattjazz starts in Bergen.

June

15 – Bergenfest 2016 with headliner Sigur Rós.25 – The 2016 Roskilde Festival opens with a performance by the Syrian National Orchestra for Arabic Music and Damon Albarn.30 – Bråvalla Festival opens near Norrköping, Sweden.

July

3 – The Copenhagen Jazz Festival 2016 opens.6 – The 17th Folk music festival of Siglufjordur opens in Siglufjordur, Iceland.14 – G! Festival opens in Göta, with a line-up including Songhoy Blues, Lucy Rose, Federspiel and the Hot 8 Brass Band.18 – Moldejazz 2016 starts with Ola Kvernberg as artist in residence.date unknown – Magnus Söderman and Lawrence Dinamarca join Nightrage.

August

14 – Oslo Jazzfestival 2016 opens with a concert by the Jan Garbarek Group, featuring Trilok Gurtu.

September

4 – The 11th Punktfestivalen opens in Kristiansand, Norway.

October

7 – The 33rd Stockholm Jazz Festival opens in Stockholm, Sweden.13 – The 33rd DølaJazz opens in Lillehammer, Norway.

November

1 – Hans Abrahamsen wins the Nordic Council Music Prize for his work Let Me Tell You.3 – Tampere Jazz Happening opens in Tampere, Finland.6 – The Kongsberg Jazzfestival 2016 opens with Pat Metheny concert.

December

6 – Danish band Lukas Graham are nominated for three Grammy Awards, including Record of the Year and Song of the Year for their single "7 Years".

Albums released

January

8 – Anders Hillborg – Sirens, Cold Heat;, Beast Sampler22 – Abbath's debut album Abbath 29

* What Was Said by Tord Gustavsen and his trio, featuring drummer Jarle Vespestad and German-Afghan vocalist Simin Tander including with Christian Meaas Svendsen and Per Oddvar Johansen.
* Ghostlights by Finnish music project Avantasia
* High Noon by Finnish guitarist Kalle Kalima.
* Some Other Time – A Tribute To Leonard Bernstein by Nils Landgren.

February

1 – Songbook by Lars Danielsson.3 – Kanestrøm by Norwegian guitarist Frode Alnæs.9 – The Colorist & Emiliana Torrini by The Colorist & Emiliana Torrini11 – 2016: District Six by the pianist Andreas Loven 12 – Olavi by Olavi Uusivirta14 – Story Of I by Myrna.17 – Picture You by The Amazing, including guitarist Reine Fiske.19 – Grasque by Choir of Young Believers26 – We Survive by Medina

March

3 – Kanestrøm by Norwegian guitarist Frode Alnæs.6 – Trees Of Light by Anders Jormin / Lena Willemark / Karin Nakagawa.11 – Culturen by Skadedyr.18 – Reckless Twin by Mads Langer25 – Let’s Dance by Per Oddvar Johansen.26 – We Survive by Medina

April

8 – Arktis by Ihsahn 15 – Closer by Christopher 22 – Jag sjunger ljuset by Eva Dahlgren

May

20 – Då som nu för alltid by Kent

June

1 – World On Fire by Yngwie Malmsteen3

* The Brightest Void by Tarja Turunen
* Good Karma by Roxette
* Seal the Deal & Let's Boogie by Volbeat 10 – Wolf Valley by | Eyolf Dale28 – Now Is The Time by Spirit In The Dark

July

9 – Sounds Of 3 by Per Mathisen Trio
15 – Vulnicura Live by Björk
29 – Rubicon by Mats Eilertsen

August

5 – Apokaluptein by Live Maria Roggen
19
*Femte by Isglem
*Norwegian Caravan by Come Shine – Kringkastingsorkesteret
26
*Air by Frode Haltli with the Trondheim Soloists and Arditti Quartet
*Rumi Songs by Trygve Seim
*Snowmelt by Marius Neset
*Du Gamla Du Fria by Håkan Hellström
*The Map of Your Life by Simon Lynge

September

2
*Buoyancy by Nils Petter Molvær
*Bushman's Fire by Bushman's Revenge
*Jazz, Fritt Etter Hukommelsen by Bushman's Revenge
*Salmeklang by Gjermund Larsen Trio
9
*Atmosphères by Tigran Hamasyan, Arve Henriksen, Eivind Aarset, and Jan Bang
*Changing Tides by Lukas Zabulionis
*Grand White Silk by Torun Eriksen
*Joni Was Right I & II by Marit Larsen
16
*Dödliga Klassiker by Bob Hund.
*Orphée by Jóhann Jóhannsson
*Sunrain by Haakon Graf Trio, including Erik Smith and Per Mathisen
23
30
*Blood Bitch by Jenny Hval
*It’s Another Wor d by Sigrun Tara Øverland
*Somewhere In Between by Bugge Wesseltoft

October

7
*Gode Liv by Stein Torleif Bjella
*Kurzsam and Fulger by Christian Wallumrød Ensemble
14 – Rainbow Session by Harald Lassen
21
*Citizen of Glass by Agnes Obel
*Her Bor by Frida Ånnevik
*Pyhät Tekstit by Vesa-Matti Loiri28
*Homeward Bound by Sabina Ddumba.
*Drömmen om julen by Carola Häggkvist
*Lady Wood by Tove Lo
31 – No Right No Left by Andreas Wildhagen

November

4 – Atoma by Dark Tranquillity
11
*December Songs by Olga Konkova and Jens Thoresen
*StaiStua by Ulvo / Hole / Haltli
*The Mechanical Fair by Ola Kvernberg
*The Sleeping Gods/Thorn by Enslaved
12 – Stories by Jan Gunnar Hoff
14 – Portrait With Hidden Face by Bjørn Kruse
17 – My Head Is Listening by Motif
19 – 3 Pianos by Tanaka/Lindvall/Wallumrød
25
*Fantômas by Amiina
*Häxan by Dungen.
*Vannmann86 by Hjerteslag

December

2 – Puzzler by Hilma Nikolaisen
11 – Minnismerki by Bubbi Morthens and Dimma
16
*Dråber af Tid by Helene Blum
*Into the Night World by Machinae Supremacy
*New York City Magic by Per Mathisen, Utsi Zimring, and David Kikoski

date unknown

Efter Regnet by Freddie Wadling
Mitt hjärta klappar för dig by Benny Anderssons orkester
Timo sjunger Ted by Timo Räisänen
Ventre by In Slaughter Natives

New classical works

Hans Abrahamsen – Left, alone for piano left hand and orchestra
Olli Kortekangas – Migrations
Christian Lindberg
* Robot Gardens
* Liverpool Lullabies
Magnus Lindberg – Two Episodes
Kaija Saariaho – Sense
Rolf Wallin – ''Swans Kissing''

Eurovision Song Contest

Deaths

17 January – Carina Jaarnek, Swedish singer and Dansband artist, 53
18 January – Else Marie Pade, Danish composer, 91
25 January – Leif Solberg, Norwegian composer and organist, 101
4 February – Ulf Söderblom, Finnish conductor, 85
19 February – Harald Devold, Norwegian jazz musician, 51
20 February
*, Danish musician, 77
*Ove Verner Hansen, Danish actor and opera singer, 85
29 February – Josefin Nilsson, Swedish singer, 46
24 April – Jan Henrik Kayser, Norwegian pianist, 81
1 May – Sydney Onayemi, Nigerian-born Swedish DJ, 78
4 May – Olle Ljungström, Swedish singer and guitarist, 54
9 May – Riki Sorsa, Finnish singer, 63
14 May – Lasse Mårtenson, Finnish singer, 81
16 May – Fredrik Norén, Swedish jazz drummer, 75
2 June – Freddie Wadling, Swedish singer and songwriter, 64
8 June – Terje Fjærn, 73, Norwegian orchestra conductor.
18 June – Sverre Kjelsberg, 69, Norwegian singer, guitarist, bassist, composer, and lyricist
27 June – Pelle Gudmundsen-Holmgreen, Danish composer, 83
18 July – Karina Jensen, Danish singer, cancer.
27 July – Einojuhani Rautavaara, Finnish composer, 87
27 September –, Swedish singer, 80
30 September – Lilleba Lund Kvandal, Norwegian opera singer, 76
12 November – Jacques Werup, Swedish musician and writer, 71
14 December
*, Norwegian singer and entertainer, 91
*Päivi Paunu, Finnish singer, 70