natural to them. But during the last century, and especially since about 1850, representatives of other nations and races have become increasingly prominent in composition, introducing turns of expression, peculiarities of temperament, and currents of thought and feeling that are different. This infusion of new forms and materials into current style has been full of picturesque interest and often of essential importance.
None of these modern groups is really homogeneous, all of them consisting
of more or less distinct subgroups or sections, each with its native
traditions and modes of expression; but in a brief summary they may
be treated roughly as units.
The Scandinavian group (Denmark, Sweden and Norway) is
the oldest of these modern groups in point of organized artistic
life. It attained its first development early in the 19th century
under masters who were in close touch with German music, and
was for a time only an offshoot of the latter. But from about
1860, especially under the lead of Grieg, it has been diligently
cultivating its own peculiar field with enthusiasm. Scandinavian
writing has usually shown a tendency to utilize the minor
tonality, the abrupt and whimsical rhythms, and the somewhat
pathetic, or at least dreamy, emotion of the national folk-songs
and dances. Through it all runs a strain of seriousness which
may be a reflection of the colder and darker climate of the
North, but also the refreshing vigor and sturdiness that belong
to a region where mountains and sea are the salient physical
features. Conjoined with these pervading racial qualities has
been the eminent poetic delicacy and insight of several individual
composers, who have found means of touching the heart
of the whole musical world by a striking intimacy and depth of
imagination, displayed especially in the smaller forms of composition.
In Denmark are to be noted Emil Hartmann [Jr.] (d. 1898), son of a distinguished
father (see secs. 205, 213), with 5 operas (from 1867), 3 symphonies,
string-concertos and other chamber works, and national songs and
dances; August Winding (d. 1899), a fine pianist, with much piano music,
including a concerto, 2 symphonies, etc.; Asger Hamerik, born in 1843,
since 1871 head of the Peabody Conservatory in Baltimore, with 4 operas,
as Hjalmar und Ingeborg (1868), 5 symphonies, 5 Nordische Suiten, many
other orchestral and choral works of large dimensions, etc.; Otto Malling,
born in 1848, with a symphony, an overture, national choruses with orchestra,
