KAREN SOLGÅRD: Norse Fiddle at Home

Karen Solgård

Norse Fiddle at Home

© 2003 Karen Solgård (664241012323)

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Traditional Norwegian Hardanger fiddle echos with the mountains of Norway while rooted in Scandinavian-American farm life. Bradley Greenwald and Carol Sersland, vocals; Dave Berg, bass; and Sigrid Solgård, cow bells.

notes

This CD bursts with energic music, infectious tempos and rhythms. Throughout is the trancelike drone of Hardanger fiddle reminiscent of bagpipes.

Karen Solgård learned Norwegian folk songs from her mother and grandmother. A favorite memory is the family Saturday-night song fests on the farm, singing, playing and dancing in the living room. Karen trained and worked as a cellist, immersed in classical music, traveled the world, and almost forgot her traditional roots.

And then, a relic "Norwegian violin" in the attic piqued her curiosity and started her on a path to explore this forgotten music of the old country. Nearly 20 years ago, Karen traveled to Norway where she heard Hardanger fiddle (called hardingfele in Norwegian) played by Norwegian masters for the first time and began serious study of the instrument.

"Norse Fiddle at Home" is a reflection of Karen's light-hearted approach with her audiences using the old traditional tunes, arrangements and original composition to make this exotic and foreign-sounding music local.

Some favorites are:

3. "Summer Moonlight" in traditional Norwegian telespringar by K. Solgård. A poem by Emily Brontë, sung by Bradley Greenwald, lends itself to the irregular ¾ rhythm of the telespringar, a running dance from Telemark.

8. "Mountain Man's Girl" arr. by K. Solgård and Carol Sersland. This walking dance is based on the verse "The mountain man's girl drinks, dances and skis."

12. "Mountain Fantasy" arr. by K. Solgård. A huldre is a beautiful female creature from the mountain pastures who taught a cattle herder this tune. K. Solgård and Bradley Greenwald, vocals.

Another CD by Karen Solgård is "Norse Fiddle at the Wedding" sold on CD Baby at www.cdbaby.com/solgard2. A companion wedding music book for Hardanger fiddle or violin is available directly from the author. Email norsefiddle@solgard.com for information about the book.

reviews

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  • unique beauty
    author: Elizabeth

    This album has a beauty all its own that's hard to find. I highly recommend it. It is a great introduction to Norse music and will leave you wanting more.

  • author: Kathryn Charlotte Steene

    It is wonderful that Karen has brought the hardanger music to us here in the US. I remember hearing my great uncle play hardanger in the '50s in Minneapolis. Thank you, Karen.

  • Wonderful listening!
    author: wle

    Flawless technique and a good choice of material. We loved it!

  • author: WED

    Hardanger fiddle played with superb technique. A delightful CD providing a glimpse of the traditional music of Norway with a couple of American tunes as well.

  • My foot just won't sit still!
    author: Tim

    This music is fun for the entire family. My two year old son enjoys the unique sound of the Hardanger fiddle. The music does brighten the mood of any home. It is an especially fine cd to spin during holiday parties. I truly do enjoy it.

  • Norse Fiddle lifts the spirit
    author: Katherine

    "Norse Fiddle at Home" touches the human emotions, lifts the spirit, creates a mood of mirth, and lets you know you belong. Some tunes are whimsical and lighthearted, some sort of practical or humorous, some dark and shaded or wise, and all of them poetic.

  • beautiful, beautiful music!
    author: Meredith

    Love the variety of songs and sounds. Thank you, Karen, for sharing you gift of music with our family!

  • Whenever you find a good thing, share it!
    author: Diane Garber

    This CD of Norsk fiddling has quickly become a favorite. I love the variety...everything from a lullaby to traditional dances. What a fine example of Norse fiddle music! It's a CD to be shared and I do that whenever I get a chance.

  • Gorgeous fiddling, beautiful music!
    author: Sadie C

    Karen Solgård really pulls some wonderful tone out of that hardanger fiddle. The fiddling is skillful, the sound quality clear and bright, and the tune arrangements make hardanger fiddle accessible to people who might not be accustomed to hearing Norwegian music. This CD is just beautiful!

  • AWESOME
    author: TANNER

    THIS CD IS WAY COOL!!!

  • I love this music
    author: Signe Aslakson Torkelson

    This CD sounds like the music of my ancestors and is certainly a good sampling of the style of Norwegian music. Thank you, Karen, for the the work you do!

  • Authentic Norsk music and creative fun listening to the ear
    author: Kristina

    The music comes straight from the mountains of Norway to our living room for many hours of listening enjoyment. It is authentic Norwegian Hardangar fiddle music while at the same time original and creative with the fiddler's own interpretation woven throughout. None can rival such talent, I see this cd as a nice way to gift someone who has a Norwegian heritage or even for those who love good music. This is a keeper!

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