Strings - Instruction & Study, European Folk Music, Ballads, Scandinavian Folklore & Mythology, Fiddle, Scandinavian Music
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Overview
Fiddling for Norway is an engrossing portrait of a fiddle-based folk revival in Norway, one that in many ways parallels contemporary folk institutions and festivals throughout the world, including American fiddling. It is a detailed case study in the politics of culture, the causes and purposes of folk revivals, and the cultivation of music to define identity.The book begins with an investigation of the people and events important to Norwegian folk fiddling, tracing the history of Norwegian folk music and the growth and diversification of the folk music revival. The narrative takes us to fiddle clubs, concerts and competitions on the local, regional, and national levels, and shows how conflicting emphases—local vs. national identity, tradition vs. aesthetic qualities—continue to transform Norwegian folk music. Goertzen utilizes a large anthology of meticulously transcribed tunes to illustrate personal and regional repertoires, aspects of performance practice, melodic gesture and form, and tune relationships. Ethnomusicologists and readers who fiddle will enjoy both the music and the stories it tells.
Synopsis
Fiddling for Norway is an engrossing portrait of a fiddle-based folk revival in Norway, one that in many ways parallels contemporary folk institutions and festivals throughout the world, including American fiddling. It is a detailed case study in the politics of culture, the causes and purposes of folk revivals, and the cultivation of music to define identity. The book begins with an investigation of the people and events important to Norwegian folk fiddling, tracing the history of Norwegian folk music and the growth and diversification of the folk music revival. The narrative takes us to fiddle clubs, concerts and competitions on the local, regional, and national levels, and shows how conflicting emphases—local vs. national identity, tradition vs. aesthetic qualities—continue to transform Norwegian folk music. Goertzen utilizes a large anthology of meticulously transcribed tunes to illustrate personal and regional repertoires, aspects of performance practice, melodic gesture and form, and tune relationships. Ethnomusicologists and readers who fiddle will enjoy both the music and the stories it tells.Editorials
Booknews
Deals not with the famous Hardanger fiddle, with its decorated body, sympathetic strings, and whispery and nasal sound, that has become identified with Norway, but with the normal fiddle, which is played in most of the country by at least as many people as is the Hardanger fiddle. Finds the tradition to be as vigorous if not more so, though its music consists almost exclusively of short, bipartite dances. After a brief historical review, focuses on the contemporary revival, fiddlers and fiddle clubs, contests and concerts, and reconfiguring Norwegian folk music. Over 100 pages are comprised of tunes demonstrating various genres, regional styles, and dances. Paper edition unseen, $22.50. Annotation c. by Book News, Inc., Portland, Or.Book Details
Published
December 1, 2007
Publisher
University of Chicago Press
Pages
364
ISBN
9780226300528