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 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 11, 2024, 10-5 PM - Portage County Cultural Festival demonstrator, Stevens Point Area Senior High, Stevens Point, WI May 25, 2024, noon - Grace Presents (concert with Lucy Jacobus) August 15, 2024 - May 18, 2025 - Norwegian Fiddlers, Fiddles, and Fiddle Tunes in the Upper Midwest exhibit, Vesterheim, Decorah, IA December 7, 2024 - fiddle making demonstration, Vesterheim, Decorah, IA |