Wednesday, 22 May 2024

A new composition for nyckelharpa

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Swedish composer Anders Jallén (1961, based in the Netherlands) wrote the ‘Requiem for nyckelharpa and double bass’ in April 2024, commissioned by conductor Josefine Straesser. One evening in October 2023, Josefine was driving home to Amsterdam from Antwerp when she heard the nyckelharpa on Radio 4, the Dutch radio channel for classical music. She was immediately captivated by the instrument and came up with the idea of incorporating the original Gregorian melodies underlying the Requiem op. 9 by Maurice Duruflé (1902-1986), into a composition for nyckelharpa. The ‘Requiem for nyckelharpa and double bass’ was written for Janine Buisman (nyckelharpa) and Henrik Holm (double bass). The unique sonority is characteristic of this duo.

Anders Jallén
Anders Jallén

Anders Jallén began his music studies with musicology in Sweden in the 1980s. Including at the University of Gothenburg with Professor Jan Ling, whose doctoral dissertation (1967) was on the nyckelharpa as a folk music instrument in Sweden. At that time, there were only a handful of (mostly elderly) nyckelharpa players and he therefore assumed the instrument was critically endangered. Ling's work was a milestone in placing the instrument at the centre of traditional folk music at the time. This Requiem was therefore written in fond memory of the late professor of musicology Jan Ling.

Jallén's Requiem uses nine ancient melodies from the Liber Usualis, the same melodies that also inspired Duruflé for his Requiem op. 9. Sometimes these melodies are used by Jallén in a way that ties in with that Gregorian tradition. But, also considering the instrumentation and especially the nyckelharpa, idioms inspired by traditional Swedish folk music are sometimes used, with Jallén also coming up with variations of his own. 

The ‘Requiem for nyckelharpa and double bass’ will be premiered on Saturday 1 and Sunday 2 June at the Nassau Church in Amsterdam, the Netherlands. More info and tickets available on the website Requiem voor de buurt (only in Dutch).


Flyer concert 'Requiem voor de buurt' in Amsterdam
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Friday, 1 March 2024

Workshops 2024

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Eager to improve your nyckelharpa playing, learn some new tunes, or meet other nyckelharpa players? Then workshops are a wonderful place to go to with your instrument! Also, when you'd like to start with playing nyckelharpa there are several workshops each year for beginners. 
Below you'll find the nyckelharpa workshops and masterclasses of the year 2024 worldwide. Missing the mention of a workshop or masterclass? Additions are most welcome, just drop me a line!

Later in the year, a list with workshops in 2025 will follow as well. So keep an eye on this blog!

January

Germany:

24th Fürstenecker Bordunale: Ensemble für Nyckelharpa und Streicher

Date: 2 - 5 January 2024
Location: Burg Fürsteneck, Am Schlossgarten 3, D-36132 Eiterfeld (DE)
Teacher: Johannes Mayr (DE) 

"Balfolk Repertoire im Streicher-Groove! Nyckelharpa, Geigen, Celli, Bässe und Freunde: Alle Streichinstrumente sind in diesem Kurs willkommen. Wir wollen vor allem Tanzmusik spielen! Das Repertoire besteht aus traditioneller und neukomponierter Musik insbesondere aus Frankreich, der Bretagne, England, Skandinavien, aber auch aus alten Handschriften des deutschsprachigen Raums. Das soll erstmal in die Beine gehen! Und dabei nach abwechslungsreicher Musik klingen, die auch für die Ohren ein Genuss ist."

February

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March

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April

Germany:

Nyckelharpa Wochenende Nord: Kurse für Nyckelharpa & Ensemble

Website: https://www.nyckelharpawochenende.de/nord/index.php
Date: 19 - 21 April 2024
Location: Proitzer Mühle, Proize 3, 29465 Schnega, Niedersachsen (DE)
Teacher: Josefina Paulson (SE), Mia Marine, Johannes Mayr (DE), & Björn Kaidel (DE)

The Netherlands:

Workshop weekend voor bourdonmuziek, balfolk & samenspel: nyckelharpa

Website:  https://draailier-doedelzak.nl/workshop.htm
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/events/234306872450150
Date: 12-14 April 2024
Location: De Zonnewende, Esscheweg 78, 5271 NA, Sint-Michielsgestel (NL)
Teacher: 

May

Belgium:

Swedish Music Course for Nyckelharpa & Other Strings

Date: 17 - 20 May 2024
Location: Plokkersheem, Douvieweg 14, 8978 Watou (BE)
Teacher: Markus Svensson (SE)

Eighteen hours of music with Markus Svensson for nyckelharpa and other string players, plus a surprising activity and of course jam sessions!

June

Germany:

Nyckelharpa Wochenede Süd: Kurse für Nyckelharpa. Geige & Ensemble

Date: 7-9 June 2024
Location: Haus der Volkskunst, Ebinger Str. 56, 72336 Balingen-Dürrwangen, Baden-Württemberg (DE)
Teachers: Anna Ekborg Hans-Ers, Petrus Dillner, Jerker Hans-Ers, Björn Kaidel, & Johannes Mayr

Sweden:

Course at Ekebyholm for Nyckelharpa and Violin

Website: https://www.bilda.nu/projekt-och-initiativ/latkursen-pa-ekebyholm
Date: 23-27 June 2024
Location: Ekebyholm Castle, 762 91 Rimbo (SE)
Teachers: Caroline Eriksson, Daniel Hedman, Olov Johansson, Johan Lång, & Torbjörn Näsbom

"Låtkursen på Ekebyholm startade 1976 med Eric Sahlström och Gösta Sandström som lärare. Varje år utser Eric Sahlströms Minnesfond några unga spelmän i åldrarna 13–20 år till stipendiater. Förutom en kursplats på Låtkursen på Ekebyholm är det en stor ära att bli utsedd till ”Sahlströmstipendiat” och hittills kan 100 personer titulera sig så! Många stipendiater kommer också tillbaka, både som kursdeltagare och som lärare."

July

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August

Italy:

Masterclasses Early Music for Nyckelharpa

Website: https://early-music-summer-master-classes.jimdosite.com/master-classes/
Date: 2-5 August 2024
Location: Pizza Fratti 2, I-47034 Forlimpopoli (FC) (IT)
Teacher: Marco Ambrosini (IT/DE)

"This masterclass is aimed at the more advanced nyckelharpa / viola d’amore a chiavi player and requires preparation using previously sent sheet music. It will be based on the resolution of the questions of performance of early music on our instrument; forming the sound, articulation, phrasing, consort play and vocal accompaniment will be the main subjects of this masterclass."

Nyckelharpa Camp

Website: 
https://early-music-summer-master-classes.jimdosite.com/nyckelharpa-camp/
Date: 5-8 August 2024
Location: Pizza Fratti 2, I-47034 Forlimpopoli (FC) (IT)
Teacher: Anette Osann (DE)

"We offer for the 8th time (in cooperation with the Music School of Forlimpopoli and the European Nyckelharpa Training) a specialization workshop in early music (for nyckelharpa / viola d'amore a chiavi) suitable for medium-level students. at the Music School of Forlimpopoli. [...] She not only teaches playing technique, but also the basics of instrument making and instrument care. Enhance your technique and ensemble playing  during an intensive workshop with Annette Osann  -  making music out of notes! Tuning: 415 Hz."

September

United Kingdom:

Harpas at Halsway: Nyckelharpa Festival

Website: https://nyckelharpa.me.uk/harpas-at-halsway-nyckelharpa-festival/
Date: 6-8 September 2024
Location: Halsway Manor, Taunton, Somerset TA4 (UK)
Teacher: Torbjörn Näsmbom, Gabi Maas, & Vicki Swan


October

Germany:

21st International Days of the Nyckelharpa at Burg Fürsteneck

Website: https://nyckelharpa.burg-fuersteneck.de/nyckelharpa_eng.html
Date: 3-6 October 2024
Location: Burg Fürsteneck, Am Schlossgarten 3, D-36132 Eiterfeld (DE)
Teachers: Annette Osann (DE), Petra Krebs (CH), Laurent Vercambre (FR), Jean Darbois (FR), Jule Bauer (DE), Olov Johansson (SE), Markus Svensson (SE), Marco Ambrosini (IT/DE), & Didier François (BE)

The 21st International Days of the Nyckelharpa takes place from 3 to 6 October 2024 at Burg Fürsteneck in Eiterfeld, Germany. Several parallel workshops on different levels and subjects are offered. Plus: additional short workshops, nyckelharpa exhibition with many instrument makers, nyckelharpa conference, informal exchanges and play together.

November

Germany:

Nyckelharpkurs Altenmünster

Website: https://www.nyckelharpawochenende.de/altenmuenster/index.php
Date: 22-24 November 2024
Location: Maria Ward Haus, Eppishofer Str. 18, 86450 Altenmünster, Bayern (DE)
Teachers: Björn Kaidel, Regina Kunkel, & Johannes Mayr

December

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