Between Tradition and Politics. Military Music in Occupied Norway (1940–45)

Within the vast field of research that still has to be done on Norway's music life during the years of the Nazi occupation, the area of music in military settings is an exception. Because of the sometimes contradictory motives of the different protagonists, this article shows strategies for music among NS and Hird musikkorps, the military resistance movement Milorg, and even inside SS prison camps. Based on extensive archival material, this article gives an overview of official Norwegian and German music units, the newly founded musikkorps for Hird, and military musicians who resisted intense pressure to join these units. It also discusses the importance of singing for resistance fighters and prisoners.