Fiddle with the keys of the keyed fiddle
May 21, 2015 11:41 AM Subscribe
OK, I realise this is pretty niche, but I may get a surprise. Can you help me find more intense music played on the nyckelharpa?
Some 15 years ago Swedish folk band Ranarim played in Uruguay and they opened with this song. My love affair with this instrument I later learned was called "nyckelharpa" had begun.
Now that I have a real chance to get one and take lessons in the near future this love has been rekindled. I'm listening to a lot of music on the nyckelharpa but most of what I find with a very basic search of "nyckelharpa" on YouTube is very "midsommary" or just "classical music". I enjoy that too, but Ranarim had something... like a hint of darkness in their overall lightness. There's something I can't quite explain that made their music more intense, and I'd like to see that instrument performing in different moods.
Do you know of other bands like Ranarim or other musicians that use a darker (from barely dark to nightmare fuel) register on the nyckelharpa? Either solo musicians and bands, European folklore or rock/pop/etc. are welcome.
PS: I tried searching "nyckelharpa metal" on YouTube... The only hits were unfortunate.
Some 15 years ago Swedish folk band Ranarim played in Uruguay and they opened with this song. My love affair with this instrument I later learned was called "nyckelharpa" had begun.
Now that I have a real chance to get one and take lessons in the near future this love has been rekindled. I'm listening to a lot of music on the nyckelharpa but most of what I find with a very basic search of "nyckelharpa" on YouTube is very "midsommary" or just "classical music". I enjoy that too, but Ranarim had something... like a hint of darkness in their overall lightness. There's something I can't quite explain that made their music more intense, and I'd like to see that instrument performing in different moods.
Do you know of other bands like Ranarim or other musicians that use a darker (from barely dark to nightmare fuel) register on the nyckelharpa? Either solo musicians and bands, European folklore or rock/pop/etc. are welcome.
PS: I tried searching "nyckelharpa metal" on YouTube... The only hits were unfortunate.
I think I know what you mean about having a 'hint of darkness'; a certain austere and somewhat stoic grimness at the tinge.
The group Väsen uses nyckelharpa; no vocals, lots on youtube, but might not be grim enough for you.
I searched 'neo-folk scandanavian' and found this (sort of ambient but w/ nyckelharpa, if I hear right), and Garmarna (more like a rock songs, but similar to the Ranarim in melody.)
'pagan nykelharpa' found me Asynje, which sounds like what I reckon you're after, and Poeta Magica, which, however, may be too pretty for you.
Exploring more with these or similiar keywords should find you more stuff.
posted by bertran at 1:08 PM on May 21, 2015 [1 favorite]
The group Väsen uses nyckelharpa; no vocals, lots on youtube, but might not be grim enough for you.
I searched 'neo-folk scandanavian' and found this (sort of ambient but w/ nyckelharpa, if I hear right), and Garmarna (more like a rock songs, but similar to the Ranarim in melody.)
'pagan nykelharpa' found me Asynje, which sounds like what I reckon you're after, and Poeta Magica, which, however, may be too pretty for you.
Exploring more with these or similiar keywords should find you more stuff.
posted by bertran at 1:08 PM on May 21, 2015 [1 favorite]
Ok, perhaps not "dark" but...
A friend and colleague of mine has joined Torbjörn Näsbom, a nyckelharpist, for Baroque music. Assuming that that isn't "just classical music". Also they do wacky stuff with the pieces....
Here is the link (bonus feature: this is the Follia). Website.
posted by Namlit at 2:05 PM on May 21, 2015
A friend and colleague of mine has joined Torbjörn Näsbom, a nyckelharpist, for Baroque music. Assuming that that isn't "just classical music". Also they do wacky stuff with the pieces....
Here is the link (bonus feature: this is the Follia). Website.
posted by Namlit at 2:05 PM on May 21, 2015
Response by poster: Just got back home and I have to go back out in a minute, so I can't really check your answers now, but just to clarify I don't mean necessarily grim. Just not overly light and hoppy, music that doesn't call for a midsommarstång. Where emotions are more intense. It may be about some harmonies.
Grim is great too, only I'm not going for only that, my question is more open. From music that makes you want to pillage some coastal towns, to something that takes from flamenco, to dark metal, it's all game.
Namlit, I'm subscribed to Tornbjörn Näsbom's YouTube channel. I have that angle kinda covered, that's why I'm asking for what I'm having more trouble finding. I hadn't heard that piece you linked though (I clicked quickly to see if it was the same Tornbjörn), so than thank you!
posted by Promethea at 2:23 PM on May 21, 2015 [1 favorite]
Grim is great too, only I'm not going for only that, my question is more open. From music that makes you want to pillage some coastal towns, to something that takes from flamenco, to dark metal, it's all game.
Namlit, I'm subscribed to Tornbjörn Näsbom's YouTube channel. I have that angle kinda covered, that's why I'm asking for what I'm having more trouble finding. I hadn't heard that piece you linked though (I clicked quickly to see if it was the same Tornbjörn), so than thank you!
posted by Promethea at 2:23 PM on May 21, 2015 [1 favorite]
I think hedningarna will Hit That Spot. The Old Albums especially trä but any with the Singers (WHO Are no langer with the band). Apology for dreadful Typing on this autocorrecting ipad
posted by 15L06 at 2:51 PM on May 21, 2015 [1 favorite]
posted by 15L06 at 2:51 PM on May 21, 2015 [1 favorite]
This thread is closed to new comments.
posted by 15L06 at 12:49 PM on May 21, 2015 [1 favorite]