Waltz, Polka, Schottische, Hambo, Mazurka

Laurie Hart, Andrew VanNorstrand, Stefhan Ohlström

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Vol 3 of Scandinavian Fiddle Tradition series. 27 gammaldans ("old-time" dance) tunes from Sweden, Norway, Finland and Denmark on fiddle, nyckelharpa, Hardanger fiddle, viola and guitar. All instrumental. 2012. This is the regular version. Scroll down further to buy the instructional version, which is download only.

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Laurie's Hardanger fiddle

in double fiddle heaven

Stefhan Ohlström & Laurie Hart duet on nyckelharpa

About the album

The third of 5 albums in my Scandinavian series,  this album features gammaldans tunes from Sweden, Norway, Finland and Denmark.  Ideal for dancing, listening and tune-learning, the rich harmonies range from traditional to jazzy, and the arrangements from charming to driving.  I play 3 solo tunes on Norwegian Hardanger fiddle, a dozen fiddle or nyckelharpa duos with Stefhan Ohlström, and another dozen tunes with Andrew VanNorstrand on guitar.

Gammaldans refers to four pan-European, turning couple-dances, the waltz, polka, schottis, and mazurka, plus hambo which is Sweden's national dance.  Hambo is a type of polska, but in general gammaldans tunes and dance steps, despite the name, are actually newer than polska tunes and dance steps (covered in volumes 1 & 2 of the series).  Snoa is also considered a type of gammaldans, but it is danced to marches, which will be included on the volume 5.  Gammaldans is also called runddans (round dance) in Norway.

Andrew VanNorstrand, guitar/bouzouki

Credits

Laurie Hart (melodies on fiddle, nyckelharpa, Hardanger fiddle) 
Stefhan Ohlström (harmonies on fiddle, viola, nyckelharpa) 
Andrew VanNorstrand (guitar) 

Produced by Laurie Hart 
Recorded by Will Russell at Electric Wilburland Studio, Newfield NY 
Stefhan Ohlstöm, cover photograph 
Barbara Tefft, graphic design
Stehan's nyckelharpa was made by his brother Göran Ohström (1952-2009)

Reviews

"Marie and I *really* enjoyed volume 3 CD tremendously - Andrew's accompaniment added an exciting edge to the traditional tunes." - Allan

"Your CDs have been keeping me company on my walks to work. I am addicted to Scandinavian fiddling because of you. Thank you for capturing these traditional tunes." -- Carol

"What a wonderful CD!  Your and Stefhan's Swedish waltzes on twin fiddles are pure joy!! They uplift me body, mind and spirit!  It is hard to listen to them and remain still, and I wind up overcooking meals while I waltz around the kitchen, as though transported to Scandinavia." --Judy

"Disc 3 of the Scandinavian Fiddle Tradition identifies five groups of dances and the four Scandinavian countries from which they come.   The three musicians on the album are outstanding in their ability to match their styles to the origins of the tunes.  This creates a varied collection which is a delight to hear.  Since each tune is identified according to the dance that can accompany it, musicians learning these tunes will find that they have a quick reference, useful in planning a public performance. 
Beginning with “Springvals efter Viksta-Lasse”, I found that my memories turned to Sweden on midsummer evenings.  In rural areas around Rättvik, for example, dancers would gather either in a pasture or else scatter themselves around the floor of a large, open barn.  The band playing for the dancers would compete with the sounds of friends with fiddles, busking in the distance.  At midnight, the time for the final waltz, there would still be some twilight.  Following the waltz, families with members old and young would gather in a circle and sing one last tune before making their way home to bed. 
Each tune  on this album is unique, and listeners will have their favorites.  My own preferences are the tunes of Swedish origin with slightly “edgy” harmonies provided by fiddle and nyckelharpa.  However, the guitar provides a splendid backup for the fiddle, and changes keys and tempos without ever becoming intrusive. 
Whether you are dreaming of summers in Scandinavia, playing these tunes yourself or moving in time to the music, I suspect that you will enjoy hearing the selections on this disc as much as I did." --Joanne Sturgeon, fiddler and nyckelharpa player