About the Hardanger Fiddle
The Hardanger fiddle is the national instrument of Norway. Harkening back to its inception in the Baroque period, the fiddle itself is richly ornamented with shell, bone and ink and is played with asymmetric rhythms, multiple tunings, and non standard tones preserved by means of an unbroken aural chain. The Hardanger fiddle has four or five sympathetic strings which resonate with the four played strings throughout the music producing an ethereal sound.
Recent NewsMy latest fiddle, Kirsten, was awarded a bronze medal at Landskappleiken 2024 in Gol, Norway, as judged by Ottar Kåsa and Per Anders Buen Garnås.
My fiddles, Carolyn and Rebecca, were each awarded Silver Medals at Landskappleiken 2022 in Rjukan, Norway. They were judged 70% on sound and setup and 30% on aesthetics. This is the highest ever showing for an American builder. My fiddle, Førnesbrunen, was awarded Best of Show, a Blue Ribbon, and People's Choice at Verterheim's National Norwegian-American Folk Art Exhibition in July, 2019. I became a Vesterheim Gold Medalist in July, 2019. I was awarded a fellowship from the American-Scandinavian Foundation for "Hardanger Fiddle Construction - Acoustical Adjustments" that enabled me to study with Hardanger fiddle makers Sigvald Rørlien and Wiebke Lüders at Ole Bull Akademiet in Voss, Norway, April 4 to May 5, 2018. |
Performances and Exhibitions
May 13, 2025, 7 PM - Echoes of the Fjords, concert with Lucy Jacobus, Scandinavia House, New York City
April 5 - August 2, 2025 - "Carolyn" on display with "Nordic Echoes: Tradition in Contemporary Art" at Scandinavia House, New York City December 7, 2024 - Presentation at Vesterheim, Decorah, IA August 15, 2024 - May 18, 2025 - "Rebecca" on display as part of the "Hand Me Down the Fiddle" exhibit at Vesterheim, Decorah, IA |
