Nordiska Folktoner for Harp Susan Enochsson These traditional melodies from Sweden and other Scandinavian countries were chosen as melodies having the characteristic Nordic sound, and which fall nicely for the 'harp hand'. Some are better known than others, but 'fame' as a tune was not the criteria. This collection is intended as a sampler and introduction. Buy this music now: £10.00 + p&p

Susan Enochsson - profile & list of publicatons

Nordiska Folktoner for Harp
Susan Enochsson

These traditional melodies from Sweden and other Scandinavian countries were chosen as melodies having the characteristic Nordic sound, and which fall nicely for the 'harp hand' . Some are better known than others, but 'fame' as a tune was not the criteria. This collection is intended as a sampler and introduction.

Presented first for each piece is the basic tune and suggested harmonies. I would encourage harp players to use the tune as a point of departure. My arrangements are meant to spark your imagination as well as using them as they are notated. For example, use the melody up one octave second time around... find a left hand motive and use it, based on harmonies in the basic tune. There is a time for performing classical music note for note as printed, but here I would want each harper to develop personal style.

The pieces can be played on pedal or lever harp: the markings are for lever harp.

Re learning note by note on paper. I always tell my students that a pencil is the greatest tool if you are learning a piece. I have included few fingerings in this collection. I believe that is an individual issue. Our hands and fingers are all different sizes; different angles would make some fingerings the obvious ones but not so for different hands.

Finally, Scandanavian music has a magic and charm allm of its own. Understated themes, rhythmic drive, unsymmetrical phrases, and modal usage are typical elements. The mood of the midnight sun, winter darkness, the stolic starkness of its people and natural beauty are all reflected in the music of the north.

Good luck and have fun
Susan Enochsson,
Hassleholm, March 2008.

Contents and notes

Kristallen Den Fina
Is a love song, probably of an impossible love of two people from different social classes. They long to meet. The lyrics contain many poetic names for the girl, such as 'shining crystal, bright  as the sun, and brilliant as the stars...flower of love...purest rose.'

Sulla Lulla
Lullaby is to be played meditatively. There are no lyrics beyond 'sulla lulla. Would be sung or hummed by the mother rocking the child.

Som Stjarnan Uppa Himmelen
Another sorrowful love song.

Var Det Du Eller Var Det Jag

Halling
Is a type of dance in Norway, requring acrobatic agility. Part of the dance at the end of a cadence is jumping straight up and practically kicking your toe into the ceiling... my relatives have a piece of paper taped to the ceiling where one of the champion dancers made a hole. The halling is by far one of the more common dances in Norway.

Springar
Is another common dance from Norway.

Sag Mig Den Vagen
Is a folk hymn.

Sjunger Jag
About the transcendental power of true love, when lovers are geographically separated.

Om Sommaren Skona
Is a well-known song from the provine of Dalarna, praising the beauty of the summer.

Om Alla Berg
Has poetic lyrics about the value a man places in his beloved

Finnish Lullaby
Typical melodic line for Finland, Karelia, even reminscent of the land to the east. Friend Heikki would be huming this often.

Avall Polska

While a 'polska' would normally be in 3/4 time signature, this is still called a polska, perhaps because a polska can have a feeling of two-against-three. There is large variance in polskas, some are strict, some are in three with the third beat leading upwards and onwards. It's probably all about how the local dancers would dance, and how the fiddlers would play the tunes.  

Composer/Arranger:	Traditional Scandanavian Music All arrangements - Susan Enochsson
Instrumentation:	Celtic Harp / Pedal Harp
Level:	Intermediate
Format:	Comb bound
Size:	A4
Pages of music:	17
Weight:	91gm
ISMN:	Not issued
Our Ref:	SM104
Publisher:	Linnaea Productions
Edition/Year:	2008
Origin:	Sweden

Albums - click cover for details
Linnaea
Sheet Music - click cover for details
Nordiska Folktoner for Harp