"Fele/hardingfele, Røros/Hallingdal " - Olav Luksengård Mjelva

Olav Luksengård Mjelva
Young Top Level Norwegian playing on Fiddel and Hardanger Fiddle from the area of Røros and Hallingdal
  • artist:Olav Luksengård Mjelva
  • featured artist:Jan Frostvoll; Jo Asgeir Lie; Ole Jørgen Tamnes
  • release year:2009
  • style(s):Folk, Traditional
  • country:Norway
  • formats:CD (Compact Disc)
  • record posted by:Etnisk Musikklubb
  • label:Etnisk Musikklubb
  • publisher:Etnisk Musikklubb

Røros and Hallingdal are many miles apart,and traditional music and fiddling in these two areas are dissimilar in many ways. Fiddlers in Hallingdal use the Hardanger fiddle (a decorative instrument with resonating under-strings), while
Røros fiddlers use the normal fiddle/violin. But there are some similarities. Playing-technique in the Røros tradition involves bowing two strings at a time and using double-stops, as does playing on the Hardanger fiddle. And fiddling in both
Røros and Hallingdal is energetic and characterized by a rhythmic drive. I grew up in the Røros area and learned fiddling at weekly “Litjhurven” practices with Olav Nyhus and his wife Mary at their home in Glåmos. Eventually,I joined the Glåmos spellmannslag. As time went on, I discovered that the Glåmos tradition was only one of many in the Røros-area.
Fiddlers in other rural communities, such as
Feragen, Kvernengan, Tamnes, Brekken, Orvos, Galåen, as well as those living in the town of Røros, have had quite different playing styles. I find this very interesting and have included several examples on this recording. I also spent part of my childhood in Hallingdal, and when I was very little my family lived there for a year. As a new student at the Ole Bull Academy in Voss, I had the opportunity to select a second instrument. I have always felt that it was important to belong to a music tradition in order to really be able to express my self in it, and Hardanger fiddle and the Hallingdal tradition were a natural choice. Luckily I received a very warm welcome among fiddlers and dancers in Hallingdal, and the experience has been very rewarding. Here are some of my favorite tunes from
Røros and Hallingdal. Enjoy!