History, vision & ideas

History

The Norwegian Institute of Recorded Sound (Norsk Lydinstitutt Stavanger) is a foundation established in 1984 through an agreement made between Arne Dørumsgaard and the city of Stavanger. The institute manages a collection of recorded music and associated items which is one of the largest private collections of its kind in Europe. The collection currently contains more than 100,000 LP records, 40,000 78 rpm records, 10,000 audio reel tapes, 5,000 video and music cassettes, 5,000 books on music, record catalogues and periodicals, as well as extensive equipment for playing and copying of recordings. The bulk of the collection is approximately 90 cubic meters or about 42 metric tonnes.

The collection is unique in its construction as its goal is to document the interpretation and performance of music in European 20th century culture through its recordings. The different parts of the collection are systematized in alphabetical order by performer. The collection has its emphasis on European vocal music from the first half of the 20th century. Norwegian music and recordings of Norwegian musicians is also well represented.

The original agreement with Arne Dørumsgaard stipulated that the collection should remain at his home in Marzio, Italy, and it did so for a number of years. In 2002, the Institute took physical possession of the collection, and it was moved to Stavanger. The Institute's new premises were inaugurated on June 5th 2003 with a speech of secretary Yngve Slettholm from the norwegian Ministry of Culture and Church Affairs.

Recently, the collection grew by 100.000 LP records as the Institute acquired the collection of Mr. John Sanders of Oslo, Norway.

Vision

Norsk Lydinstitutt Stavanger will be:

a centre of competence for musical research, with emphasis on the gramophone repertoire of the 20th century
a resource centre offering support functions to the other musical institutions in the Bjergsted park and other parties
flexible and willing to meet other needs as they may arise.

Ideas

The Norwegian Institute of Recorded Sound want to develop its collections further. Our users will be professional musicians, music teachers, music students, researchers and others interested in classical music. We will make the material in the collection available through exhibitions, through digital media, projects, research and teaching programmes for education and research institutions, from music schools to music academies.

We will cooperate with the Faculty of arts at the University of Stavanger and in collaboration make our collections searchable as well as reachable through the Internet. The Institute will be a part of the Bjergsted music park and be used by its music institutes and other relevant institutes/groups of users, both within the region, nationally and internationally.