Maurseth, Benedicte

Benedicte Maurseth performs both as a Hardanger fiddler and a singer/kvedar (traditional vocalist). The old tunes from Hardanger form an important part of her repertoire. These are often lyrical and complex, and many of them have been preserved in their original form. Along with fiddler Knut Hamre, she has charted new paths by playing on old Hardanger fiddles from the 1600s and 1700s. She evokes a deep, warm tone in these fiddles by using gut strings and a baroque bow. Maurseth holds a degree from the Ole Bull Academy. She learned to play the Hardanger fiddle mainly from master fiddler Knut Hamre, but also studied with Stein Versto and Leif Rygg. In the past few years she has also studied with baroque musicians such as Bjarte Eike and Peter Spissky. She performs as a soloist on the Hardanger fiddle and as a vocalist. Benedicte Maurseth collaborates with a number of musicians who work in various genres, especially at the point of intersection of folk and baroque music, as well as with more improvised music and new music. In 2006 she and Knut Hamre released the CD Rosa i botnen, which could be said to have introduced the concept of “early fiddle tunes”. Because she has used the old style of fiddling, the earliest tunes have regained a dimension that had gone missing long ago.

Discography

 
2006: Rosa i botnen, with Knut Hamre (Heilo/Grappa)

Awards