Hardanger Fiddle
"...a delicate performance on the Norwegian Hardanger violin by Charlotte Greenhow" - The Skinny
Lottie was born in Norway in 1987 to British parents. Her grandmother is half Norwegian and half Danish, and from an early age Lottie was exposed to various aspects of Scandinavian culture, which instilled in her a passion for all things Norwegian (except the consumption of fish, which doesn't agree with her).
Lottie was given a Hardanger fiddle for her 18th birthday by her parents. The fiddle was made specially for her by Nicholas Nourse and can be seen in the picture to the left.
The Hardanger fiddle is a traditional instrument, similar to a violin, that originates in the Hardanger district of Norway. Contrary to popular belief, it is not traditionally played all over Norway, but mostly in southern Norway.
Despite this, it has come to be recognised as Norway's "national instrument". The instrument comes with a great deal of legend and myth surrounding it, and features in several of Norway's traditional folk tales.
Lottie was born in Norway in 1987 to British parents. Her grandmother is half Norwegian and half Danish, and from an early age Lottie was exposed to various aspects of Scandinavian culture, which instilled in her a passion for all things Norwegian (except the consumption of fish, which doesn't agree with her).
Lottie was given a Hardanger fiddle for her 18th birthday by her parents. The fiddle was made specially for her by Nicholas Nourse and can be seen in the picture to the left.
The Hardanger fiddle is a traditional instrument, similar to a violin, that originates in the Hardanger district of Norway. Contrary to popular belief, it is not traditionally played all over Norway, but mostly in southern Norway.
Despite this, it has come to be recognised as Norway's "national instrument". The instrument comes with a great deal of legend and myth surrounding it, and features in several of Norway's traditional folk tales.
The instruments vary in design and number of strings, but one thing is common to nearly all of them - the presence of "sympathetic" strings. These strings are not played with the bow or plucked. Instead, they run underneath the fingerboard, and resonate when certain pitches are played. This creates a series of overtones and undertones which gives the instrument a very rich sound. Perhaps the most famous use of the Hardanger fiddle occurred in Howard Shore's score to the epic film trilogy, The Lord of the Rings.
Lottie is a self-taught Hardanger fiddle player, and has conducted extensive research into the instrument. Her paper, "From Fossegrimen to Foreigners", about the history and current use of the Hardanger Fiddle, formed part of her third year studies at Cambridge University (supervised by ethnomusicologist David Irving) and she was later invited to present her findings at the London Fiddle Conference. She has since given lecture-recitals on the Hardanger Fiddle and Norwegian music at Cambridge and Brunel Universities.
Lottie is a self-taught Hardanger fiddle player, and has conducted extensive research into the instrument. Her paper, "From Fossegrimen to Foreigners", about the history and current use of the Hardanger Fiddle, formed part of her third year studies at Cambridge University (supervised by ethnomusicologist David Irving) and she was later invited to present her findings at the London Fiddle Conference. She has since given lecture-recitals on the Hardanger Fiddle and Norwegian music at Cambridge and Brunel Universities.
Lottie continues to play the Hardanger fiddle and has recently attended Scandimoot where she took part in workshops with Norwegian fiddler Vegar Vårdal. She is also a member of the London Hardingfelelag.
Recently, Lottie featured as Hardanger Fiddle soloist and vocalist on Erland Cooper's albums Solan Goose and Sule Skerry, and has subsequently performed live at WOMAD, Port Eliot, Cley Calling and The Good Life Experience Festivals, at the Barbican, the Queen's Hall Edinburgh, Walthamstow Wetlands Centre, Old St Pancras Church, The Plaza Cinema Skipton, Rough Trade Records, on BBC Radio 6 and at the Quay Sessions for BBC Radio Scotland.
If you are interested in finding out more about the instrument or reading any of Lottie's findings or papers, please contact Lottie.
Recently, Lottie featured as Hardanger Fiddle soloist and vocalist on Erland Cooper's albums Solan Goose and Sule Skerry, and has subsequently performed live at WOMAD, Port Eliot, Cley Calling and The Good Life Experience Festivals, at the Barbican, the Queen's Hall Edinburgh, Walthamstow Wetlands Centre, Old St Pancras Church, The Plaza Cinema Skipton, Rough Trade Records, on BBC Radio 6 and at the Quay Sessions for BBC Radio Scotland.
If you are interested in finding out more about the instrument or reading any of Lottie's findings or papers, please contact Lottie.