This album features recordings of songs played at the 1978 Delsbostämman, an annual outdoor fiddlers’ gathering that takes place the first weekend in July in the village of Delsbo in Hälsingland, Sweden. Hundreds of spelmen (fiddlers) from across Sweden gather to play traditional fiddle tunes for the thousands of attendees. The recordings cover a broad range of Swedish regional fiddling styles of music including polskas, waltzes, and brudmarsches (bridal marches). Many of these tracks feature violins and the nyckelharpa or “keyed fiddle,” a traditional Swedish instrument that dates back to the Middle Ages. The liner notes are written by noted American music historian and music producer Samuel Charters and include photographs, information on the Delsbo gathering, detailed descriptions of the songs, and a brief history of the Swedish fiddle tradition.

Track Listing