Fiddler of the Realm, Riksspelman, on the violin/folk fiddle.
Raangsta
SE-740 30 BJOERKLINGE
SWEDEN
+46 18 37 23 00
Email:
Website:
www.nyckelharpa.com
Travels to: Anywhere in the world
Biography:
Since 1974 I carry the title Fiddler of the Realm, Riksspelman, on the violin/folk fiddle. My branch is Swedish folk music where there are no schools in playing, theory, history or maintaining our special folk music instrument The Nyckelharpa. I´m an autodidact player of the cow horn, bark horn, folk fiddle and the nyckelharpa, dancing, singing and story telling with endless visits at home at tradition bearers as my teachers. Since 1975 I make my living from beeing a folk fiddler, story teller, teacher of the fiddle, nyckelharpa, dancing, performing and anything else in this field of beeing a local and a Swedish folk fiddler. I have produced 3 LP´s, 1 CD, different books with music and history. In 1977 I produced and edited the Spela Nyckelharpa (Play the Nyckelharpa) three books, three music cassettes and today also three video cassettes on how to play the nyckelharpa. And it still sells all over the world. In Sweden I have given hundreds of playing courses from one hour to eight weeks. Through my courses I have brought forward many nyckelharpa teachers and fiddlers by. I have toured Europe east and west and 18 tours in the US. In 1995 I was instrumental in forming the ANA, American Nyckelharpa Association. In my shop I sell nyckelharpas. I do not make instruments but as I´m a professional player and teacher of playing I have points on how they should be made. As I know I´m the only one offering a selection of nyckelharpas. Other sellers only sell their own products. With different makers I have also developed good nyckelharpa bows. For traditional reasons there were very few good nyckelharpa bows before. I also sell cases, strings, all other accessories, building material - instructions - drawings - woods and all other parts and also violins, bows and all accessories. My friend Harry Hedbom, one of Swedens most skilled violin maker and nyckelharpa makers, builds the best nyckelharpas that I sell and does all repairs on violins, nyckelharpas, bows and other string instruments.Myself: the history, back to around 1500, and the construction and playing of the
Harry Hedbom and I together can give theory lessons and/or practical lessons in the making of nyckelharpas and bows. Har
LEIF ALPSJÖ: a fiddler of the realm since 1974. - was born in Stockholm 1943 and raised in Uppsala, since 1971 living in the northern part of the province of Uppland. - is the father of two children and the proud grandfather of Sara and Rasmus. - was named riksspelman (fiddler of the realm) on the violin 1974. - became an honorary member of The Uppland´s Nation´s Student Club in 1991. - plays the Swedish national instrument nyckelharpa (or keyed fiddle) since 1973. - is a professional folk musician and tradition bearer since 1975. - also plays the cowhorn and barkhorn (kohorn & näverlur), folk flute, guitar, and is also a singer and dancer in the tradition. - is a well known teacher in folk music, folk dancing and its theory. - has taught the majority of the nyckelharpa players and teachers in the world and most of today´s young virtuoso nyckelharpa players. - has written Spela Nyckelharpa and other teaching materials. - has strongly promoted folk singing and the playing of Swedish folk music on modern instruments. - teaches folk traditions to preschool children. - has appeared in national and international radio- and TV shows. - has produced music cassettes, LP´s and books. - has received several scholarships from the state, province, county and others. - has played for the pope and for the Swedish Queen and King and the prime minister. - has toured Eastern & Western Europe and yearly tours the US -18 tours so far. - was instrumental in starting the American Nyckelharpa Association, ANA, in august 1995. - makes presentations of the music in English, German & French. - runs a shop for violins, nyckelharpas, bows and accessories. - is a certified tourist guide for the famous Vallon Foundries in the province of Northern Uppland. - is a certified down-hill skiing teacher. - organizes according to kind of activity. Please tell what you wish. LEIF ALPSJÖ Rångsta, VIKSTA SE-740 30 BJÖRKLINGE Phone (46) 18 37 23 00 E-mail: