Ny side 1
In English
about our CD "Hjemve"
Hjemve contains a collection of the oldest traditional
folk music pieces from Østerdalen. We have focused on traditional music from
Elverum in the south to Tolga in the north, including the varied pols traditions
as a main theme. Some of the pieces are very old, whereas others are relatively
recently composed, though in the traditional style.
We have also chosen to include a Swedish polska, Julottan,
which we have learned from our Riksspelman (Master
Player of Swedish Folk Music) Thomas Westling. This is because we think it is
beautiful but also to honor our close relationship with Swedish folk music.
Springleik, springar, pols, polsk, polsdans! These are
some of the names we find for pols in Østerdalen. Many of these belong to the
same rythmic family, but the dances vary. One example is the polsk from Rendalen
and the Polsdans from Elverum, which are similar in structure. The pieces are
short and the dancers promenade between each piece. Still, there are differences
in character, something that we aim to express in our music.
The way that Elverum polsdans is danced today, is more
energetic and lively that the polsk from Rendalen. In the polsk the tones blend
more together and we can feel that the dance is danced with a more formal style.
The Polsk in Rendalen has been played and danced in
different ways independent from where in the district the bearer of the
tradition has lived. We have chosen to play the polsk in the style of Ottar
Nysveen (1916-1999) because we think that this style is best suited to the way
the polsk is danced today.
In the villages north of Rendalen and Engerdal there are
traditions for longer pieces without promenading, whereas further south the
pieces are quite short.
There are many pieces in Østerdalen that have both rythmic
and melodic similarities with music in other districts, and Folldal is perhaps
the village that has taken care of most such. This is perhaps due to the mining
business at Folldal mine, which attracted workers from other areas. Here,
springleik, springar and pols meet in they meet in
harmonious fellowship.
Hjemve means longing for home, but the longing is not
necessarily to a particular place. It can be a longing for music or a longing
towards something that is more difficult to describe.
|