VetraRagnhild Hemsing's folk jazz

Almost two centuries ago Ludvig Mathias Lindeman toured Norwegian villages, collecting folk tunes, just as Cecil Sharp did in England, in the same way as the Brothers Grimm in Germany and Asbjørnsen and Moe in Norway did for folk tales. One of the people Lindeman met in Norway was the great-great-grandfather of 2023 Artist in residence Ragnhild Hemsing, violinist and Hardanger fiddler.

In her album Vetra (2023) Ragnhild has put together a collection of Lindeman's notations from Valdres, tracing the rich cultural heritage and the development of music in her home village and beyond. 

In the recording Hemsing is joined by a versatile team: improvisers Mathias Eick and Terje Isungset, folk musicians Ole and Knut Aastad Bråten and a string ensemble consisting of viola, cello and double bass.

'I wanted to highlight unknown and rarely played material and take it to the next level in an artistic project, preserving our cultural heritage and moving it on into a modern setting, she explains. 'The title Vetra means winter. Like Ragnhild, the word comes from Valdres, just as Lindeman's notations do. 

Photo: Cathrine Dokken

Information

​Read more about Artist in residence Ragnhild Hemsing.

Ole and Knut Aastad Bråten will perform in Grieg's villa Sunday 26 May, and Mathias Eick will join Ragnhild Hemsing in Valestrand Sunday 26 May. 

Contributors

• ​ Ragnhild Hemsing violin, hardanger fiddle

• Mathias Eick trumpet

• Terje Isungset percussion

• Ole Aastad Bråten, Knut Aastad Bråten langeleik

• Marthe Husum viola

• Frida Fredrikke Waaler Wærvågen cello

• Nikolai Matthews double bass 

Music by

• Trad.

• Hemsing

Works

• Trad., after Nils Beitohaugen, Kari Bratrud and Kari A. Hovrud
  Nu rinder solen op af Østerlide (The sun is rising in the East)
  Arr.: Tormod Tvete Vik

• Trad.
  Langeberglåtten
  Arr.: Ragnhild Hemsing, Ole Aastad Bråten and Knut Aastad Bråten

• Trad., after Kari Bratrud, Andris Eivindsson Vang and Kari T. Grefsrud
  Jeg vet et evigt Himmelrig (I know an everlasting kingdom in heaven)
  Arr.: Tormod Tvete Vik

• Trad., after Anders Nielsen Perlesteinsbakken
  Det ottande Bud paa Sinai (The eighth commandment on Sinai: I know so many lovely songs)
  Arr.: Tormod Tvete Vik

• Ragnhild Hemsing (1988–)
  Vinterstemning (Winter mood)
  Arr.: Tormod Tvete Vik

• Trad.
  I Oletjedn, i Olekinn (In Ole Lake)
  Arr.: Ragnhild Hemsing, Ole Aastad Bråten and Knut Aastad Bråten

• Trad.,  after Andris E. Vang
  Jesus Kristus er oppfaren (Now Christ is arisen)
  Arr.: Tormod Tvete Vik

• Trad.
  Ringjetøsja
  Arr.: Ragnhild Hemsing, Ole Aastad Bråten and Knut Aastad Bråten

• Ragnhild Hemsing (1988–)
  Vetrahalling (Winter halling)
  Arr.: Tormod Tvete Vik

• Trad., after Andris E. Vang
  Se solens skjønne lys og prakt (See the sun – its light and beauty)
  Arr.: Tormod Tvete Vik

• Trad.
  Prim i dullare
  Arr.: Ragnhild Hemsing, Ole Aastad Bråten and Knut Aastad Bråten

• Trad., after Nils Beitohaugen, Andris E. Vang and Kari Bratrud
  Et barn er født i  Betlehem (A child is born in Bethlehem)
  Arr.: Tormod Tvete Vik

• Trad., after Andris E. Vang
  Kome nord! (Come North!)

• Trad., norsk julesang
  Mitt hjerte alltid vanker (My heart will always wander)
  Text: H.A. Brorson
  Arr.: Tormod Tvete Vik

Supported by

​The Savings Bank Foundation DNB – Dextra Musica