I worked on my doctorate in Skandinavian Studies for quite a few years before finally abandoning it. I did spend many, many hours in the Skandinavian dept. of the university in the town where I still live in Germany. I have heard the name Ole Bull, or seen it on book jackets. I am more familiar with Ibsen and Grieg, though far from an expert.

It was a very interesting time in Skandinavia.

Another person you might be interested in looking into is the Dane Sven Grundtvig, the editor of _Danmarks gamle Folkeviser_ (_Denmarks Old Folk-Songs), a monumental collection.

Wikipedia links:

Grundtvig English
Folksongs English