Erik Rysdvall is originally from Sweden; Olav Luksengård Mjelva is from Norway. Their dialogue reflects their curiosity for their own cultural origins, as well as their desire to share unique patrimonies. The coming together of the nyckelharpa keyed fiddle and the traditional Norwegian violin, the hardingfele, has rarely been tried, yet these two musicians came to find common paths of expression, which allow the songs and dances they carry within to ring out in a fluid and natural manner. Borrowing from the musical worlds of Scandinavian traditional and Baroque, they carefully highlight all the richness specific to their instruments’ fabrication as well as particular techniques. In doing so, they offer our eyes and ears a universe of colours and sounds born in an inventive and refined alliance.

Olav Luksengård Mjelva : hardingfele (traditional Norvegian violin)

Erik Rydvall : nyckelharpa (keyed fiddle)

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Olav Luksengård Mjelva began the classical violin at the age of seven and, several years later, dedicated himself to the study of the traditional hardingfele violin. In addition to his activities as a performer, he has also written music for several documentaries, short films and theatre projects. In 2010, he received the prestigious Spelemannprisen, the Norwegian equivalent of a Grammy Award, for his first solo album, and in 2013, was named ‘Norwegian folk musician of the year.’

Erik Rydval has made a name for himself over the last few years on the Swedish folk music scene as a star among the young players of the nyckelharpa. He is a laureate of the Royal Academy of Music of Stockholm and today lives in Stockholm where he works as an independent and teacher. In 2011, he formed a duo with Olav Luksengård Mjelva (hardingfele). In April 2013, the duo released the album Icebreaker on the Norwegian label Grappa/Heilo. The album received the praise of Swedish critics and was awarded ‘the album of the year’ in the ‘traditional interaction’ category at the Folklarm awards in September 2013.

 Co-production with Service Culturel Migros Genève