#2768: New Music for Hardanger Fiddle

On this New Sounds, listen to new music for the old Norwegian violin known as the Hardanger fiddle. The fiddle is most unusual in that it has a set of drone strings that lie under the fingerboard of the instrument. These drone strings are tuned to vibrate sympathetically to the chords and keys of Norwegian mountain music. Because of the powerful emotional response from both player and listener, the instrument was considered to be the “Devil’s Instrument” and had associations with dark magic. Thousands of fiddles were burned or destroyed by religious fanatics throughout the 19th century. In fact, even playing a Hardanger fiddle in a church building was forbidden well into the 20th century, although a normal classical violin was allowed into the sacred space. So, on this program, we’ll hear new music by Trollstilt and So Percussion, in addition to music from Steve Tibbetts and Knut Hamre, along with much much more.

PROGRAM # 2768, New Music for the Hardanger Fiddle (First aired on Fri, 2/15/08)

ARTIST(S)	RECORDING	CUT(S)	SOURCE
Bukkene Bruse	The Stone Chair	The Northern Fjords [5:00]	North Side #6032. www.noside.com *
Annbjørg Lien	Baba Yaga	Aja [6:30]	North Side #6044 www.noside.com *
Steve Tibbetts & Knut Hamre	Å	Bygdatråen [6:00] Fjellmanngjenta [5:00]	Hannibal #1438. www.rykodisc.com *
So Percussion & Trollstilt	Five and a Half Gardens	Cal's City Garden (with Cage) [6:30]	Shhh #0001. www.shhhproductions.com *
Steve Tibbetts & Knut Hamre	Å	Huldreslått [5:30]	See above.
Carla Kihlstedt	New Sounds Live, 9/18/2003, Merkin Hall	Hold My Own [5:00]	Available soon on Carla's new Two Foot Yard CD, see www.2footyard.com
Knut Reiersrud	Live, Oslo, Norway, 1994	Brudermarsch [2:30]	This recording not commercially available.
Various artists: Torleiv Bolstad	Nordisk Sang	Svein I Sy' Garde [1:30]	New Albion #031** www.newalbion.com *