Ethnomusicology and Folk Music Research in Denmark

Abstract

This article examines the study of folk music traditions in Denmark, with an emphasis on collection, research and scholarly publication. Popular writings, use in education and the practice of folk music have been incorporated only sporadically. Geographically, the article covers what is now Denmark as well as the Faroe Islands. Greenland, which like the Faroe Islands has a commonwealth relationship with Denmark, is treated in a separate article. We may distinguish between five main trends in the study of popular song and music traditions. (The characteristic of the music that has been emphasized most is added in parentheses): 1 Ethnomusicology/the history of song (The music in its interaction with its environment. The source material is normally present-day field recordings, but may also be of a more historical nature). 2 Musicology (The music itself). 3 Words/folklore.