We are passionate about Hardanger fiddles. Wow! What beautiful instruments they are. Works of art which can bring such joy.
What are they? Well if you are reading this, the chances are that you will already know and are as passionate about them as we are. But if they are new to you, hardanger fiddles are traditional Norwegian fiddles that have four top strings like a violin and four or five sympathetic strings which ring while the fiddle is played making a fantastic sound.
Each is an individual – yes really! Like you and me, they each have their own distinctive voice. No two are ever quite the same.
And what a voice! Who would believe that a small wooden instrument with strings could be capable of stirring the whole human range of emotions? Amazing!
And the downside? They are like hens teeth to find! Especially if youlive outside Norway! Even there they are not easy totrack down. SO..so we have spent a few years researching and finding a way to make high quality hardanger fiddles true to the tradition.
Interested? How could you not be? To find out more read the other pages on our website and then contact us to buy one of these amazing instruments!
Meanwhile here is a good YouTube video of the String Sisters, including Annbjørg Lien a great hardanger fiddler, to whet your appetite! I like it as it shows a great collaboration between musicians and cultures and transferance of music and ideas. Hardangers are versatile too – like other violins.
Enjoy!