Norway: Fiddle and Hardanger Fiddle Music from Agder

The hardingfele (fiddle from Hardanger) has been the principal stringed instrument of the fiddle tradition in the region of Agder in southernmost Norway since the 20th century. Similar in design to a violin, the hardingfele has four strings that are bowed and four or five understrings, or sympathetic strings, creating an echo-like sound.This recording provides examples of the history and variation of violin music in Norway. Of interest are the distinct differences in sound between the fiddle, the hardingfele, and the lesser known setedalsfele (a cross between a hardingfele and violin, named after the Setesdal district). Vidar Lande performs traditional Norwegian dance pieces such as gangar, sprigar, and halling and the newer gammeldans songs (old-time dance) such as waltz and polkas. Lande grew up in Agdar and Bygland and learned to play the hardingfele from his uncle. His interest in native Norwegian fiddle music has resulted in his transcription and preservation of songs of this unique style of music.The liner notes give historical and technical information about each song.

Track Listing

101	Førespel Vidar Lande	01:12
102	Ola Hytta, gangar Vidar Lande	01:40
103	Fille-Vern Vidar Lande	01:45
104	Springdans Vidar Lande	02:04
105	Gunnu mæ tjønnas springar Vidar Lande	01:16
106	Brureslag etter Jørund Nordgaard Vidar Lande	02:26
107	Trippar etter Georg Brobakken Vidar Lande	01:37
108	Mazurka etter Jens Mykland Vidar Lande	01:31
109	Reinlender frå Åseral Vidar Lande	01:38
110	Vals etter Georg Brobakken Vidar Lande	01:18
111	Sordølen, gangar Vidar Lande	01:33
112	Sordølen Vidar Lande	02:14
113	Linborjen, springar Vidar Lande	02:31
114	Amtmannen Vidar Lande	02:04
115	Strømsingen, halling Vidar Lande	01:28
116	Springdans etter Jens Mykland Vidar Lande	01:07
117	Bjønne-Per's springar Vidar Lande	01:28
118	Frøyrakjen, gangar Vidar Lande	01:44
119	Ulveljodet Vidar Lande	02:06
120	Skorsvikjen, gangar Vidar Lande	01:41
121	Halvbror til reven, gangar Vidar Lande	01:50
122	Tveitlien, gangar Vidar Lande	03:33
123	Gangar etter Torjus Odden Vidar Lande	01:33
124	Dolkaren (The Stabber), gangar Vidar Lande	01:52
125	Gangar etter Ola Hytta Vidar Lande	02:41
126	Skrubben Vidar Lande	02:41
127	Marit i Hommens slått, gangar Vidar Lande	01:08
128	Homslien, gangar Vidar Lande	02:30
129	Systerslått, springar Vidar Lande	01:54
130	Skjaldmøyslaget, med førespel, gangar Vidar Lande	02:20
131	Gravbakken, med førespel, gangar Vidar Lande	04:05
132	Gorrlaus I, gangar Vidar Lande	01:43
133	Gorrlaus II, gangar Vidar Lande	02:31
134	Gorrlaus III, gangar Vidar Lande	02:55