Larsen, Einar Olav

Einar Olav Larsen (born 1979) is a free-lance musician based in Verdalen, Nord-Trøndelag County. He has performed for audiences since the age of seven, and at dances since the age of 12-13. He has been inspired by fiddler Hilmar Alexandersen (1903-93), and along with his brother Gjermund, is the fiddler who has modelled his style and repertoire most closely on those of Alexandersen. Einar Olav Larsen often performs together with his brother, and they have, among other things, won first prize in group fiddling at the National Contest for Traditional Music three years in a row. He also performs together with P. A. Røstad’s Orchestra (winner of the Kappspell competition in 2003) and in the Finnish-Norwegian group Frigg. Einar Olav Larsen studied at the Ole Bull Academy in Voss, and in 2001-2002 he was awarded the Norwegian Government’s Grant for Young Artists. Performances: 1998: AtteKatteNoa (Norwegian Broadcasting Corporation television programme) 1991: Euro Musica (Nuremberg, Germany) 1994: Norwegian Fall Festival, Minot, USA 1999: Talent ’99 (Førde Folk Music Festival) 2003: Kaustinen (Finland) 2004: EBU Festival (Croatia), St. Olav Festival (Trondheim, Norway), Nordic Roots (Minneapolis, USA), Kjempesjansen (Norwegian Broadcasting Corporation television programme) CD releases: 1993: I dueslaget (P.A.Røstad’s Orchestra) 1998: I grenseland, Norild (P.A.Røstad’s Orchestra). På kvint og kvart (Verdal Junior Fiddlers’ Association) 2000: Frå setervoll til dansargolv (Tjukke slekta) 2001: Frigg (Frigg) 2004: Søttenpassingen, ta:lik (solo/duo together with his brother, Gjermund)