The Many Sounds of Norway

I've been collecting Norwegian music for years, but our upcoming Norway Staycation is all the excuse I need to do a little more research.

Traditional Folk Music of Norway 

Norway's folk music is much loved and continues to be taught and celebrated.
Here is a great website to learn more.

One thing that sets this music apart is the haunting sound of the Hardanger Fiddle (Hardingfele). These amazing work-of-art instruments are tuned differently from violins, and have additional strings underneath that provide extra resonance.
(Fiddle pictured on the right by Lynn Berg)

You will also hear other instruments unique to Scandinavia, and accordion, especially in dance music.

In many recordings there is foot stomping, an important percussive element

Stølskinna Sigmund Eikås

to help the dancers because many of the traditional songs can have such
 elaborate rhythms it can be hard to follow!

One of my favorite aspects of Norwegian folk music is the unaccompanied vocals that truly treat the human voice as an instrument.

All that said, my favorite recordings tend to blur the lines a little between folk music and contemporary styles.
Links go to Amazon, but these should also be available on Itunes.


Vrikkjaren
Spindel
From the Album Aminje
I LOVE this piece. It was my ring tone for years,
and everyone would ask about it.
Youtube

Når mitt øie, trett av møie
(When My Eyes, Weary of Toil)
Oslo Kammerkor
From the Album Strid
Oslo's Chamber Choir
Contemporary Choral Works based on Folk Music
Absolutely stunning ~ the whole album
Youtube



Snåle mi jente 

Kerstin Blodig
From the Album Trollsang
(Troll Song - That's why she is made up to look like a Troll)
live performance youtube

Numedalshalling
(Billy Goats Gruff)
Bukkene Bruse
From the Album Steinstolen (The Stone Chair)
I love this whole album
This group was selected as the official Olympic Musicians for the Lillehammer Olympic Games and performed at the closing ceremony. (Wikipedia)
Youtube




Den Store Trasten Forelskar Seg
Tindra

From the Album Lukkeleg Vaking
Playful Indie Acoustic Sound
Youtube





Halling
Jon Faukstad & Per Sæmund Bjørkum
From the Album Slåttar Frå Torger Olstads Notebok
Dance Music with  Hardingfele and Accordion
Toe Tapping!
Youtube

Solistvals (Soloist's Waltz)
Berit Opheim Versto
From the Album White Night: Impressions of Norwegian Folk Music
I may have to buy this whole album.
This track is so joyful.



No Skal Eg Fortelje
(Now I'll Tell)
Sigrid Moldestad
From the Album Sandkorn
Sigrid has recorded many beautiful ballads,
but I like this spicy piece. I have no idea what it is about.
Youtube

A Little Bit of Norway

My daughters want to celebrate Lille Julaften, or "Little Christmas Eve" on December 23rd: a holiday tradition revered by my Norwegian Grandmother.

Leading up to this we will be lefse rolling and possibly making Krumkake or Berlinerkranser, Fattigman or Sandbakkels. My daughters have requested lutefisk. Why?????

And I'd love to put on a lovely Smörgåsbord. Too much for one day! Uff da!

My Grandmother would not understand this American impatience to do everything at once. Her dinners were never over the top spectacles, but simply and beautifully prepared, graciously served love feasts.

Grandma Rebecca and all the Grandchildren

That is why I miss them so much. Why my daughters are tired of hearing about them and want to start their own traditions.

But it will take some doing to get my inner Norwegian jump started. I need to go to Norway. Or the next best thing.

I need to go to the ScanFair just two weeks away! With music, crafts and many Norwegian delicacies.

And to remember Grandma I will need to spend some time by the water. As a child she lived in Southern Norway, on a farm next to the lake where she fished in the summers, and in the winter learned to ice skate by pushing a chair across the ice!

One reason Oregon attracted so many Norwegian settlers is because it is so similar to Norway's rugged beauty. I'm sure we'll find the perfect lake.