Kåre Kolberg (April 24, 1936 – August 19, 2014) was a Norwegian composer, organist, and music critic. Born in Birkenes, he earned his organist examination from the Stockholm Conservatory in 1958 and a master’s in musicology from the University of Oslo in 1963. Kolberg served as an organist at Grorud Church for twenty years and worked as a critic for Dagbladet. As a composer, he pioneered Norwegian electro-acoustic music with Keiserens nye slips (1973) and bridged the gap between classical music and jazz. Notable works include the vocal collage “Plym-Plym” (1966), the ballet Hakena'nit (1968), and Norway’s first television opera, Tivoli (1974). Kolberg chaired nyMusikk (1970–1973) and the Norwegian Society of Composers (1979–1985). A recipient of the 2002 Arne Nordheim composer's prize, Kolberg died in Holmestrand in 2014.
