“Røros and Hallingdal are many miles apart and traditional music and fiddling in these two areas are dissimilar in many ways. Fiddlers in Hallingdal use the Hardanger fiddle, while Røros fiddlers use the normal fiddle/violin. But there are some similarities. Playing-technique in the Røros tradition involves bowing two strings at a time and using double-stops, as does playing on the Hardanger fiddle. And fiddling in both Røros and Hallingdal is energetic and characterized by a rhythmic drive. I grew up in the Røros area and learned fiddling at weekly “Litjhurven” practices with Olav Nyhus and his wife Mary at their home in Glåmos. Eventually, I joined the Glåmos spellmannslag. As time went on, I discovered that the Glåmos tradition was only one of many in the Røros-area. Fiddlers in other rural communities, such as Feragen, Kvernengan, Tamnes, Brekken, Orvos, Galåen, as well as those living in the town of Røros, have had quite different playing styles. I find this very interesting and have included several examples on this recording. I also spent part of my childhood in Hallingdal, and when I was very little my family lived there for a year. As a student at the Ole Bull Academy in Voss, I had the opportunity to select a second instrument. I have always felt that it was important to belong to a music tradition in order to really be able to express myself in it, and Hardanger fiddle and the Hallingdal tradition were a natural choice. Luckily I received a very warm welcome among fiddlers and dancers in Hallingdal, and the experience has been very rewarding. This recording includes some of my favorite tunes from Røros and Hallingdal”.
- Olav Luksengard Mjelva

www.emcd.no